Hello!

My name is Raphael Attard, I am a product design student driven by curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on making. Inspired by time spent outdoors, camping, and staying physically active, I approach design through direct interaction, observation, and exploration.

My work focuses on creating playful yet purposeful experiences, often introducing subtle elements of surprise through unconventional but functional ideas. I design with the senses in mind, considering how objects feel, sound, and respond through touch, material, and interaction. This allows me to create products that are not only usable, but engaging and memorable.

My process begins with broad, intuitive and logical thinking, which I refine into clear and realistic outcomes through sketching and iteration. I move between exploration and control, pushing ideas creatively while ensuring they remain grounded and resolved.

Alongside my design practice, I have experience teaching and working with a wide range of people, from young learners to adults. This has developed my ability to communicate clearly, lead with empathy, and guide both individuals and teams while maintaining direction. I work well collaboratively, while also able to take ownership of my own path and decisions as a designer.

I value constructive feedback as a tool for refinement, and I am constantly challenging myself to rethink familiar objects in ways that feel both unexpected and meaningful.

My Story

Growing up in a creative household of musicians and artists, creativity was always a natural part of how I understood the world and expressed myself. From a young age, I was drawn to hands-on exploration, be it through dismantling toys or attempting to repair broken appliances, I've always looked beyond at how I could understand systems differently to how they appeared.

Over time, this curiosity developed into a passion for creating, allowing me to use design as a way to solve problems and produce meaningful, functional outcomes. Studying Graphical Communication and English at sixth form strengthened my ability to communicate ideas clearly, refine my visual drafting skills, and develop a stronger understanding of objects and spatial relationships in three dimensions.

Alongside my studies, I have consistently explored creativity through drawing, woodwork, typography and pottery, which I have practiced for over a decade. Working with clay has deepened my sensitivity to form, material, and tactility, an awareness that continues to inform my approach to design.

Now, as I complete my bachelor’s degree in product design, I aim to apply this blend of hands-on making, communication, and material understanding to create thoughtful, user-focused designs that respond to both functional needs and emotional experience.