Delray Beach resident Patricia Torras, standing on the Old School Square campus, holds the sketches and watercolor designs she will use to create new logos for the cultural arts center: one main logo and one for each of the four venues. Torras received the most public votes in a contest to choose the designer. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Graphic designer Patricia Torras made news recently when she won the Legacy Through Art Initiative, a competition for a design that would inspire a new logo to celebrate and revitalize the visual identity of Old School Square, Delray Beach’s iconic cultural arts campus. The initiative was launched in March by the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority and the city of Delray Beach.
“I live just down the street,” she said, when asked why she decided to participate. “I took out my watercolor brush and my sketchbook, and I kind of just started. I traced over the memorable architectural details of the buildings — a window or arch that are easy to identify — I sketched it out in my book and then digitalized it.”
What she came up with was a quadrant of squares in the color palette specified by the city and DDA, each with an easily recognizable architectural detail of Old School Square venues: the Amphitheater pavilion, Cornell Museum, fieldhouse, and the Crest Theatre and Creative Art School.
A panel of art and design professionals narrowed the entries to three finalists, and after a three-week public voting period, Torras, 32, emerged as the community favorite.
Now, she is fine-tuning her “inspirational” designs into five actual logos: an Old School Square main logo along with four individual venue logos.
What will they look like? They will be revealed early fall as part of Old School Square’s Centennial Celebration. But she gives a hint. Sort of.
“They are going to be in watercolor — that’s the medium Old School Square chose. They will be vibrant, colorful and very Delray.”
She’s happy to have won this competition, which came with prizes: the $5,000 design commission, a Spotlight Gallery feature at the Cornell Art Museum, recognition across Old School Square’s branding and media campaigns, and special honors at the official unveiling event.
“Old School Square is such a great venue,” she said. “I’m super honored. I’m trying for my creation to be a timeless piece that is recognizable and memorable, and it will be cool to see my art daily. It’s part of my legacy.
“I love Delray, as cheesy as it sounds — I really do live and breathe Delray.”
Torras has a new nickname: pattypalms. That’s because during the pandemic, she spent a lot of time walking and taking photos of palms that she put up on Instagram with the hashtag pattypalms. So, as a freelance graphic artist she has a website that’s officially torras.design, but if you put in pattypalms.com you’ll be automatically redirected.
“I’m a South Florida girl. I like my palm trees,” she explained. “I never had a nickname, and it just stuck.”
— Christine Davis
Q. Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?
A. I’m originally from Miami, born in Coral Gables, and spent my early years in the Miami Beach area until my family moved to Boca Raton in October 2001. Even after the move, Miami remained a significant part of my life, but my educational journey firmly took root in Palm Beach County, where I attended various schools: Orchard View Elementary, Calusa Elementary, Boca Raton Middle, Don Estridge Middle and Boca Raton High, before earning my bachelor in communications from Florida Atlantic University and my master of business administration in marketing from Lynn University.
Summers were a mix of family vacations and local camps: Camp Boca and Delray Beach Junior Lifeguard. I always embraced these experiences, finding excitement in making new friends. And having stayed in the area, I love the hometown feeling of always getting to run into someone I know.
Growing up in South Florida instilled in me a deep desire to live by the water and foster my creativity, a privilege I don’t take for granted, as our coastline is rich with art and history, greatly influencing my ambitions for a career that provided the freedom to pursue creative outlets.
Q. What professions have you worked in? What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. I’ve always been a graphic designer. My professional journey began at FAU, designing the marketing of events and promoting the programs and resources within the Division of Student Affairs. Currently, I’m the creative manager at Atlantic Pacific Cos., directing the design projects for their residential portfolio and corporate branding. I also freelance, helping local small businesses with their branding and marketing initiatives.
My passion is to connect people through design, transforming complex information into tangible, inspiring visuals.
I’ve won a couple of awards and design contests in my day, but I’m most thrilled about recently winning Delray’s Old School Square logo contest, which allowed me to design the inspiration for their rebrand. I’m working on that this summer and excited to unveil it in the fall. Fun fact: This isn’t my first Delray Beach win — back in 2002, I won the Fourth of July bike decorating contest.
Q. What advice do you have for a young person selecting a career today?
A. If something sparks your curiosity, learn everything there is to know about it. Aim to become the ultimate best in that field, striving for excellence but knowing the balance of not taking yourself so seriously that it stops being fun. Remember that beyond the allure of high salaries or travel opportunities, your career should be something you’re proud of for the impact it makes in the world.
Q. How did you choose to make your home in Delray Beach?
A. I chose to make Delray Beach my home because, simply put, my boyfriend [she doesn’t wish to share his name] and I never wanted to leave. While it may no longer be a hidden gem to these high school sweethearts, Delray is our favorite village by the sea.
Q. What is your favorite part about living in Delray Beach?
A. What I love most is the welcoming atmosphere, particularly the distinctive “chill vibe” of its residents. Taking a walk or bike ride alongside A1A with my Vizsla pup, Vinny, often feels like I’m on an episode of Cheers — he’s a hit.
The DDA is also exceptional in ensuring there’s always something engaging for people of all ages happening throughout downtown. Delray is where all my friends want to meet up; it’s a guaranteed good time for everyone. And I can’t forget my amazing neighbors! Our street is small, but there’s so much love on it!
Q. What book are you reading now?
A. Just finished Freida McFadden’s “The Housemaid” series. An absolute psychological thriller, and now I’m ready for the first movie to come out later this year.
Q. What music do you listen to when you need inspiration? When you want to relax?
A. For inspiration, I always choose upbeat music; I’m not really a fan of slow jams. My playlists are diverse, ranging from Latin and 2000s hip-hop/rap to classics like John Mayer, the Beatles and the Eagles. If I need to focus while working, I often listen to instrumental versions of my favorite songs.
Q. Do you have a favorite quote that inspires your decisions?
A. When I’m feeling self-doubt, I remember Paula Scher’s words: “It’s through mistakes that you actually can grow. You have to get bad in order to get good.” This quote reframes failures as learning opportunities, encouraging me to embrace experimentation and see setbacks as steps toward growth.
Q. Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?
A. Yes, my dad. He was a great man who carried himself with such poise and intelligence, combined with his deep understanding of who I am, truly set him apart as my favorite mentor. He was my unwavering supporter, making me feel worthy and seen in every possible way.
Though he recently passed in June 2025, a loss I’ll always deeply feel, the knowledge that he prepared me so well for life without him brings comfort, making me believe he’ll always be with me. He taught me invaluable lessons like empathy and humor, inspiring me to strive for perfection while understanding the need for flexibility and patience, knowing when to pivot. Most importantly, he taught me to be independent, to believe in myself, and to find happiness within.
Q. If your life story were made into a movie, who would you want to play you?
A. I think I’d want someone who can embody my vibrant and imaginative energy, but also be hilarious and unserious. Perhaps someone like Florence Pugh.
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