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carmen clara cruz

Interior Design Portfolio

carmen clara cruz

hi.My journey has been a collage of diverse experiences that have shaped my unique perspective as an interior designer.

From running my own beauty business for nearly a decade, to designing guest experiences in the hospitality industry, to personal experiences in the healthcare setting, each chapter has taught me that design can make (or break) how live, work, and heal.

My education at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) has further shaped each layer of my experience, honing my ability to problem-solve and push myself creatively. Armed with all these, I hope to create spaces that not only bring people joy but also serve a deeper purpose—to foster inclusivity, enhance well-being, and spark inspiration.

info experience

Portfolio: https://bit.ly/ccruzportfolio

cruz.carmenclara@gmail.com

(929)-366-2759

New York, NY

US Citizen

Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA1)

New York School of Interior Design, New York 2022-2025

High Honors

The Chairman’s Award

Certificate in Interior Design

Parsons School of Design

The New School, New York 2019-2021

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication

Cum Laude

Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines 2007-2011

education leadership

AAPIDA x NYSID Vice President

Asian American Pacific Islander Design Association, NYSID Student Chapter 2024-2025

Adobe

Interior Design Intern

David Scott Interiors - May-November 2023

• Served as docent to represent the firm in their room designed for the Kips Bay Showhouse; informed visitors and potential clients on furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E), architectural/ interior finishes, lighting, art of the room

• Assisted the design team to prepare proposals, material palettes, fabric samples and accessories for client presentations

• Organized material library to accommodate new vendors and product categories; facilitated returns to the D&D building and nearby trade showrooms

• Communicated with vendors to procure material samples

Founder / CEO

CarmenClaire Cosmetics · 2011 - 2020

• Oversaw e-commerce operations on multiple platforms, including front-end website management, order fulfillment and customer relations

• Sourced product from suppliers improve assortment, including yearly trade show attendance to remain current on industry trends and exhibit design

• Graphic design, photography and copy-writing for email marketing campaigns

• Visual merchandising and booth design for pop-up stores and special events

Airbnb Superhost

Casa Carmen Clara - 2016 - 2020

• Renovated residential condominiums, including desgin, documentation, and communication with vendors and contractors

• Awarded SuperHost Status for 13 consecutive quarters, as a result of consistent 5- star guest reviews and 95% response rate

• Managed two properties at 90% occupancy rate; coordinated details of guests’ stay

• Conceptualized an umbrella brand for both short and long term rental properties; designed corporate identity and accompanying website

Makeup Artist

Freelance + Guest Artist at Vivify: The Beauty Lounge · 2014 - 2020

• Provided high quality service to clientele in business community

• Conducted seminars and workshops on “Makeup for the Modern Filipina”

Graphic Designer

Cruz Publishing - 2010 - 2016

• Designed book covers, page design and marketing materials

• Coordinated with printers during various stages of production

• Assisted with book launch preparation

Healthcare: Thrive Hive Clubhouse for Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Healthcare: Moonstone Breast Center

Hotel Guest Suite: Of the Earth

Non-profit Office: Make a Wish Foundation

thrive hive

Clubhouse for Young Adult Cancer Survivors

concept

kintsugi

金継ぎ

Envisioned as a healing and empowering space for young adult cancer survivors, this clubhouse features areas dedicated to both community engagement and personal wellness, fostering connection and recovery.

Inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold, the design celebrates resilience by illuminating symbolic “cracks” throughout the space—honoring the beauty, strength, and transformation found in survivorship.

Just as a piece of repaired ceramic becomes stronger than original, survivors, too, find renewed strength in each other.

• 36 East 63rd St. New York City

• Designed by Elliott and John Cross (Cross & Cross) as the Hangar’s Club in 1930

• 15,875 sqft interior space

• 2,775 sqft outdoor space

• Both a convenient and familiar area for survivors, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals

design process

Healing through connection

View of reception

Custom Light Sculpture, inspired by the bell ringing ceremony of treatment completion

Custom Reception Desk Ground floor plan

View of pool

Pool tile

Flooring Walls

Ceiling

View of exam room

Walls

Countertop

Flooring

golden stair

Custom Green Wall

moonstone

Breast Center

concept

The MoonStone Breast Center is a diagnostic and chemotherapy facility designed with a patient-focused approach and located in Williamsburg, New York.

Combining the ideas of femininity and strength, MoonStone aims to support patients in some of the most difficult stages of their health journey, from undergoing routine mammograms to chemotherapy.

The space is inspired by natural forms of shelter and the safe spaces that can be formed within them; from the cave homes in the deserts of Turkey to the stone houses of Italy. These spaces not only inform the forms and materials of the space but serve as a metaphor for the cancer journey itself: there is beauty in adversity.

design process

floor plan

Flooring Materials

reflected ceiling plan

Lighting

Acoustical Ceiling Materials

NORTHEAST SECTIONAL ELEVATION

Axonometric View

Initial Sketch

View of Infusion Area

Walls

Cabinetry

View of Vitals Area

Walls

Ceiling

Flooring

Initial Sketch

View of Patient Suite

Walls

Flooring

of the earth

Hotel Guest Suite

of the earth concept

Inspired by the local ceramic artists of Montreal, along with Quebec’s rich natural landscape, Of the Earth explores the idea of transformation. As travelers, we transform ourselves through the exploration of new lands and through rest. From dry earth, to formed clay, to glazed ceramic, the suite captures the journey of change and renewal.