ABOUT THE DESIGNER

My name is Natalie Morales and I am the graphic designer who designed this website. I generally enjoy creating bold, imaginative and thought-provoking work. Having a background in both graphic and spatial design, I mainly draw inspiration from research into materials, nature, travels as well as encounters with family and friends.

The kind of work I create is digital and physical, ranging from animations to business cards and physical models. I will often explore themes such as surrealism, entertainment and the built environment, as they are intriguing topics which I gravitate to when designing. The majority of my projects begin from research, as I find it is an important step in my creative process. For example, my Design (Honours) research project called, A UNSW Biophilic Learning Commons was generated after conducting research into various subjects. Hence, the concept of biophilia, biophilic design, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) student-led spaces and UNSW’s students likes for student-led spaces were mainly investigated before designing anything.

Researching into the aforementioned subjects then led to creating three aims. The primary aim was to create a final design for UNSW that showcases how the student-led space; Learning Commons in Block (E110), at UNSW Paddington campus can be redesigned with biophilic design. The second aim was to explain how to make a UNSW biophilic student-led space. The third aim was to educate building occupants, building designers and managers that there are three biophilic patterns that can improve the health and well-being of building occupants, which has been supported by strong empirical evidence (Browning & Ryan & Clancy, 2014, p12). Thus, a 1:100 physical model and an animation was produced to showcase the new design. In addition to this, a diagram was generated to explain how to make a UNSW biophilic student-led space. From this project, I learnt that it is important to conduct thorough research before designing as it can lead to strongly supported design ideas.

My experience studying both Science and Interior Architecture has led to these fields having a strong influence on the work I have created. My continuing interest in the relationship between health, sustainability and architecture; has allowed me to apply the knowledge learnt from these fields and express them in my designs.

The passion I have for art and design has stemmed from my visual arts experience attending the National Art School HSC Intensive Studio Practice, in which I completed a life drawing Visual Arts Extension course. It was through that experience; I realised my passion for art and polished my skills for creating works by hand. Naturally, my current design practice usually begins with initial hand drawings which then develop into more complete works through model making as well as using software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Procreate.

Reference:
Browning, W.D. & Ryan, C.O. & Clancy, J.O. (2014). 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design: Improving Health and Well-being in the built environment. New York: Terrapin Bright Green LLC.