TRACY GRECH - DESIGN PORTFOLIO

tracy grech

designs

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skills I am a student at the MCAST Institute of Art and Design, Malta and I am currently taking my BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design. I have a keen interest in almost everything, which regards design and driven by the desire to be a successful designer in the future and be as creative as possible, I am motivated to set higher standards on my work, hopefully leading me to work harder and pursue my dreams. I am also striving to be more curious in my everyday life because I believe a designer should never stop trying to solve problems for a better future. The purpose of this portfolio is to show the process behind some of the projects to better display my capabilities in many aspects of design. For this reason I only chose a few projects done throughout my years at the MCAST Institute of Art and Design that are really at heart. Thanks to the remarkable curriculum provided by the college and substantial help from my tutors I have achieved some important knowledge and skills and most of all a bigger desire to continue thriving in this field, never lacking enthusiasm in front of a good design idea. Overall my objective is to obtain a position into a creative environment that will provide me with specialized skills and help me gain more experience that will push me to grow as a professional designer.

This is my 4th year at MCAST since 2008 and 2nd year in BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design, following an Access Course and BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and contentedly I will also be coming back for my 5th and final year of B.A. Honours in 3D Design and Interior.

about me education

I am a proficient user of both Mac and Windows platforms and Microsoft Office. I have also gained skills in freehand drawing and sketching in addition to technical drawing using Autodesk AutoCad during my first years and recently modelling and rendering skills in Autodesk 3DS Max and Mental Ray Rendering Engine. I am also looking forward into gaining knowledge in V-ray Rendering Engine for more quality work. I also have a good knowledge of visual communication and presentation skills after a semester dedicated to learning graphic design and using Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop and InDesign.

Basically there’s nothing I hate doing but mainly I love enjoying my life as much as possible through meeting new people everyday, listening to good music, reading interesting books, cooking and shopping of course. Another hobby of mine is Photography, which I like to take at a professional level later on in my career.

My greatest passion however is the sea, because swimming and scuba diving around the shores of Malta is one of the most relaxing and beautiful things one can experience. It would also be a great experience to continue this leisure even beyond the shores of the Maltese islands. Since I am really fond of adventure I love taking some breaks once in a while to travel abroad. I have visited Paris (France), Sicily, London (England) and Bologna (Italy). I’m planning on visiting some more parts of Italy soon however my greatest wish is to visit the amazing islands of Greece, Turkey and Morocco and some interesting parts of the Caribbean together with the rest of the World.

skills interests

6th Semester - Verandah Design. MCAST Institute of Art and Design Annual End of Year Exhibit.verandah

contents

gradation

direction

speed

transition

pool lounger

bicolore

S.O.S. fashion project

kech

it awaits

tracy grech designs

6th Semester - Street Furniture. Public Mobile Toilet Concept.

7th Semester - Analogue / Digital Design Pavilion Design Concept.

7th Semester - TV Set DesignInt Min Int? TV Programme.

8th Semester - Exhibition Design MCAST Institute of Art and Design Annual End of Year Exhibit.

4th Semester - Pool Lounger BTEC Foundation Diploma - Final Major Project

7th Semester - Make-Up PackagingToly Products Ltd. Live Project.

Artistic CostumeLeonardo Da Vinci Exchange Program Bologna, Italy.

6th Semester - Artistic CostumeEnd Of Year Exhibition Fashion Show.

5th Semester -Visual CommunicationPromoting The Capital City, Valletta, Malta.

8th Semester - Branding Promoting Yourselves.

selectedworks

spatial

layouts

verandah

The purpose of this assignment was to approach a level of designing and developing ideas for a commercial context. For this reason we were given the responsibility to design a Verandah space in the school premises for a summer event holding a mini pianist concert for a limited audience and a refreshment area in the evening.

To give the space provided a fresh look instead if using already found furniture on the market I tried to use custom furniture almost throughout the entire verandah except for the bar stools and small planters. This way I could bring out the most if the spectacular view and embody all the activities taking place during the event.

PROJECTbrief

For the existing walls I used stacked stone veneer cladding in white quartz, which temporarily covered the windows behind the MDF support as for the flooring I proposed a wood plastic composite decking for a warm texture, which is also practical and easily dismantled and reused. With regards to the rest of the furniture I settled for textured materials to make the atmosphere more welcoming and warm together with a warm white, beige, neutral tones and wood. The benches for example are custom made to spread out along the existing walls of the verandah and then dividing the space from the centre, also holding a fire and water feature. Small tables are also slotted through the beamed benches so they could easily slide and create individual spaces for several groups of people. On the other side I included an alabaster marble bar that can be used as means of lighting during the pianists performance since light can be emitted through the milky translucent marble by means of led fixtures. A Plexiglas’s elevated top is also fitted to the top part of the marble not to damage the marble and still produce and interesting illusion when lit up. The rest of the light comes from big drum chandeliers covered in sea grass textile and spherical bulbs that can be placed in groups at strategic places of the verandah.

Software used. Autodesk AutoCad 3DS Max

PROJECTbrief

gradation

‘Do not pee in that corner!’ was the title for one of the last assignments during my first year in BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design, in which we were briefed to introduced a new contemporary design for a public mobile toilet inspired by the maltese islands.

This was the first time in which we were asked to amalgamate design and function for such a big project and so I tried my best to come up with an original proposal, which is nice to look at, compact and easily dismantled after large events that take place in Malta like Isle of MTV, concerts and political meetings.

PROJECTbrief

The main inspiration for this design amongst many came from the shape and texture found in the traditional maltese cheese cakes. From this very unusual theme I managed to design a simple abstract shape mainly fashioned out of spherical shells that slide over each other. Each module can be fixed into each other to create a line of spheres, which forms a new structure on its own.

The structure is proposed to be made out of 70 x 50mm tulip wood profiles and 2440 x 1220 x 6mm steam bent marine plywood sheets covered in a fiber glass layer and sprayed in high gloss red and white paint.

Software used. Autodesk AutoCad Adobe Photoshop

PROJECTbrief

direction

‘Analogue/Digital Design’ was the theme of this assignment in which we had to give multiple design proposals influenced by the theme itself. Initially the final proposal had to be chosen and constructed for school use in the second semester however due to insufficient time and space we continued to develop our ideas.

During my research and test pieces using different and unusual materials I was inspired by the movement of a batch of drinking straws, which created multiple digital and contemporary shapes as soon as one puts pressure on either end of the batch. With each push the batch also created automatic openings and passageways, which I later translated into forms for my chosen proposal.

PROJECTbrief

‘Direction’ as the name explains, is an angled structure positioned on a tilted area in front of one of the institute’s most beautiful views. The structure itself includes also incorporates a lower area in the same style, which can be used as a recreational area for students or as seating area for guests during the Institute’s annual end of year exhibition.

Instead of the black and fluorescent green drinking straws of the model I proposed round metal rod framing and black and translucent vinyl for the covers to make it weather proof and thus last longer


PROJECTbrief

This time our course was faced with a new challenge, coming up with a proposal that holds a lot of responsibilities. We were asked to design and construct the scenography for the Tv program ‘Int Min Int?’ produced by MCAST Media students.

My concept was designed around the idea of speed. The speed in movement, the speed of light, the speed in shutter photography, the speed in generating thoughts and ideas and most importantly the speed with which the youth society is growing up and maturing because of the amount of consequences this society is facing.

PROJECTbrief

This concept was translated into a dynamic design and motion, with large amounts of stacked cubes all around the set and jotting striped flooring in the foreground with bright touches of rainbow colours. I went for a contemporary and minimal design to create a new feel for the program different from the old TV set.

Even though my proposal was not the one chosen all the students in the course were later divided into groups to finally construct the chosen proposal in a real TV studio. Since the construction was part of the criteria we were asked to order all the material, produce the technical drawings and construct all the pieces in one week, just in time for the program to start.


PROJECTbrief

transition

One of the most awaited assignments for the BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design students is the exhibition space design for the Institutes Annual End of Year Exhibition. Each student comes up with a new proposal, 5 to 6 are shortlisted and each group tries their best to propose the most original concept, completely different and better from last year’s course at a Zero or Low Budget.

PROJECTbrief

One of the workshops was assigned for us to showcase or final projects and since I didn’t like the atmosphere of the workshop I tried to create a new dimension, some kind of transition between our space and the rest of the workshops and studio’s around the institute. The concept is made up of singular irregular modules that formed a kind of tunnel when placed near each other. Each module holding one work on either side is fitted with a plinth to hold both the final piece and the student’s portfolio. These modules had to be constructed out of wooden profiles and stretched white and blue fabric to let light pass through. Each module is fitted with blue rope light along the sides for a more contemporary atmosphere. Each year the students try to incorporate the student’s profiles along with their works and my idea was to create full-length photos of each student and create a holistic scene between throughout the so-called tunnel.

Even though my proposal was not amongst the ones chosen, together with the rest of my class mates we constructed the chosen proposal for the 2011/2012 Annual End of Year Exhibition during the month of June.


PROJECTbrief

product

design

pool

lounger

For my 2010 Final Major project in BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design I decided to work on a foldable, multi-functional pool lounger.

My initial source of inspiration came from diverse species of cacti plants and cacti skeletons, however since it’s such a vast subject I didn’t come up with a good design until I penciled a wide range of sketches, made some photographic research and case studies and tried numerous test pieces.

Photography. Tracy GrechLocation. St. Paul’s Bay

PROJECTbrief

The final product is a three-layer pool lounger made of lightweight weatherproof fabric, constructed with layers of foam and polystyrene beads and waterproof glue. The three layers, detailed with intricate honeycomb gathering can be used as a stool when closed, a flat chair when opened with two layers and converted into a pool longer when all three layers are flat.

The cutting, folding and sewing of this product took place in the institute’s textiles workshop during an approximately 5-month term.

Photography. Tracy GrechLocation. St. Paul’s Bay

PROJECTbrief

bicolore

During our first term in BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design, Toly Products Ltd. contacted the Institute for the second consecutive year. Our course was given the assignment to design a make-up packaging concept for a new Compact Make-Up Palette or Make-for an innovative Make-Up Applicator for a Live Project.

Months of research and meetings gave birth to ‘Bicolore’, the simple and contemporary design, which differentiates itself from the usual circular or square cases we see on the market. Unlike many palettes ‘Bicolore’ can be carried as a full set, holding a maximum of 12 product pans or dismantled into singular modules of approximately 300mm each.

PROJECTbrief

I tried to research all aspects of packaging apart from function and product design, some of which are colour, finish and branding. I worked with 3 different combinations of black and white, light grey and blush pink and dark grey and dark pistachio green in glossy finishes. I tried not to use the most common and stereotypical colours so I settled for pistachio green because it looked more fresh and rejuvenating and appealed for all types of ages.

I also tried to embody it’s function and design into the name and logo itself by creating a unique logo that is very significant to the overall look since each module has two sides and bears two different colour pans.


PROJECTbrief

fashiondesign

S.O.S. fashion

project

S.O.S. Fashion was a student exchange project created by the Leonardo Da Vinci program partnering with the ‘Istituto Professionale Aldrovandi Rubbiani’ in Bologna, Italy. To make part of this exchange program we were asked to create one piece that would show our skills and compete with other students from MCAST.

Photography. Charles Calleja - FotoishPhoto Re-touching. Tamara WebbModel. Lea Bellizzi

PROJECTbrief

Since this costume was going to be seen by other students in Bologna I though it was best to focus my inspiration on the Maltese Islands. And what more can differentiate us mostly from Bologna then our crystal clear skies and sea. I tired to translate the shadows of the clouds, the textures and the colours of these elements into one garment using soft materials like sheer and crushed satin in beige and blue to create a flowing jumpsuit. I used crushed satin pieces and sewed them onto the sheer trousers to create a new textile imitating the shadows of the clouds on the sea.

In May 2011 thanks to this garment I experienced a 9-day exchange visit in Bologna, Italy where I visited some designer studios and factories in the city together with other students.


PROJECTbrief

Unfortunately even though we have a fully equipped workshop at Higher National Diploma level we do not get enough opportunity to work with fashion or textiles and this task gave us the chance to use any of the workshops to create a professionally crafted product, in my case an Artistic Costume for the 2011 Annual End of Year Exhibition, which hosted a fashion show for the first time that year.


PROJECTbrief

My first inspirations came from the Yves Saint Laurent 2010 exhibition, which took place in Marrakech, Morocco and since I have always been attracted to the culture I decided to dive into the history and details of Moroccan society and give them my own interpretation. Along the way I also mixed my inspiration with the androgyny theme and translated the overall concept into a two piece costume detailed with hours of draping, rushing and ruffling of purple and green crepe satin.

Later in 2011 the same costume was also exhibited at the annual ‘Notte Bianca’ Fest at the new ministry of Education premises in Valletta, Malta.


PROJECTbrief

visual

communication

it awaits

‘it Awaits’ was the only assignment where we were able to use computer applications and develop our styles in promoting and enhancing our works though visual communication.

After a lot of manipulation research we had to create 5 dynamic postcards and 1 vibrant poster design using solely images and structures taken in Valletta, Malta to promote the Capital City, which is on of the only contemporary and unusual European cities. There were many topics I could have used with regards to Valletta however I was highly influenced by Strait Street, which was a very prominent street in it’s days of entertainment during the stay of the British Navy in Malta.

PROJECTbrief

My objective through this assignment was to give back the identity to this historical street, which someday held hundreds of people and now lays there abandoned and closed. ‘It Awaits’ reflects it’s famous days and the significance of bringing it back to life. I personally went to Strait Street with my Canon DSLR camera and took number of detailed photos depicting the shabbiness it now lays in and later used them as background for a vibrant array of stripes, which shows the viewer how important it is to give it some colour again and open it again for future generations who probably know nothing and have no grandparents, which can reconstruct the stories.

Software used. Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign

PROJECTbrief

tracy grech

designs

My last assignment for scholastic year 2011/2012 was promoting ourselves through this portfolio in which we can showcase some of our selected works throughout the years in this Institute. Even if it’s not within my design proficiency and I have never studied Graphic Design I decided to create my own branding designs, which included a custom portfolio graphic layout, a custom portfolio case and a set of business cards all enhanced with a simple yet contemporary logo, which reflects both my design style and personality.

I wanted to keep all branding bold but minimalistic and this is why I chose soothing shades of grey with a bold tinge of turquoise. For the entire branding theme I played around with different geometric shapes mostly triangles and circles together with a chosen type, which will be used for further branding details.

Software used. Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator

PROJECTbrief

thanks for taking the time to look at my work.if you have any questions feel free to get in touch.

[email protected]+356 79 432560

http://tracygrechdesign.wordpress.com/

TRACY GRECH - DESIGN PORTFOLIO

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