Teresa Garcia Design PORTFOLIO
Profile
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences, Interior
Architecture
December 2021, San Diego State University
Associate of Science in Interior Design
June 2020, San Diego Mesa College
ACHIEVEMENTS
Anderson Ranch Arts Center Furniture Design
Scholarship Recipient
San Diego State University, 2022
Event Chair
Mesa Interior Design Club, 2020
Student Exhibition
San Diego Mesa College, 2020
NKBA Ellen Cheveer Student Scholarship Recipient
San Diego Mesa College, 2019
AFFILIATIONS
ASID Student Chapter
IIDA Student Chapter
NKBA Student Chapter
QUALIFICATIONS
AutoCAD
SketchUp
Layout
Revit
Digital Rendering: Enscape
Podium
Adobe: Photoshop Illustrator
InDesign
Microsoft: Word
Excel Powerpoint
Bluebeam
Revu
Canva
Construction Documents
Building Codes
Lighting Plans
FF&E Selection
Material Boards
Color Theory & Selection
Furniture Design
Furniture Building
EXPERIENCE
Freelance Designer
June 2023 - April 2024
Using connections gained while working in the paint industry,support was provided to clients with dimensioned plans, SketchUp models and 3-D renderings for HOA project approval. Provided design assistance to a client with their kitchen and later their ADU remodel through vision boards, floor plans, SketchUp models, 3-D renderings and FF&E sourcing and selection.
Professional Color Advisor, Dunn-Edwards Paints
November 2020 - June 2023
As a Professional Color Advisor, images, descriptions, and physical materials such as flooring, countertops, and roofing were used to assist homeowners with the creation of bespoke, curated color palletes specifically tailored for their residence. Using Photoshop, visual representations of the customers residence were provided by digitally applying the color schemes prepared for them. With customer service at the forefront of the experience, customer assistance was provided from start to finish by booking appointments, selecting colors in store and through scheduled phone calls, providing quotes and following up through email. Detailed records were kept using tracking software and orders were placed to supplement sales materials using Excel.
Interior Design Intern, HGW Architecture
June 2021- August 2021
As an intern, assistance with many tasks such as material library organization, contacting sales reps, sample orders, drafting and modeling was provided. Provided contributions on a tenant improvement healthcare project which consisted of color and flooring selection. Was also tasked with heading the firm’s conference room remodel which included measurements, elevations, contacting vendors for quotes and sample ordering. Creation of a 3-D model for a new high-end residential construction structure’s interior which consisted of casework and custom furniture for rendering.
UNI e
Unite
Sitting as a gateway between San Diego, CA and Tijuana, B.C, MX, Uni-te serves as an open, collaborative space for architects and designers from both sides of the border. The name is derived from the English word “Unite” and the Spanish word “Unir.” This shared office space serves as a link between two thiriving cities with completely different cultures and views of the world. Utilizing local artisan materials, Uni-te promotes a working relationship between creatives and stimulates collaboration that cannot be achieved by a dividing wall. Inclusion and awareness is a driving factor of the design with a space included for conferences, private offices, think tank and custom materials storage with an included area to promote new and local materials and resources. This is not your typical shared office space. Saturated colors, materials, abundance of light and a cubicle-free environment inspire creativity beyond borders.
Type:
Perspective: Think Tank
This open collaboration space features natural lighting provided by skylights. It has a glass floor that allows views into the conference bellow. Natural materials and plant walls promote a relaxed environment and movable furniture allows for private work sessions as well as collaboration opportunities.
Sections
South section
North section
Materials
Perspective: Pods
The private pods allow for a more intimate and cozy work session. They provide needed privacy and better acoustics for when phone calls need to be placed, or if you’re having one of those days.
Perspective: Conference Room
The conference room features a partial glass ceiling that allows sunlight as well as interaction from movement coming from the open think tank above. Sliding glass doors on two sides of the room allow for privacy if desired, serve as a writing surface or can be opened and out of the way for a more relaxed conference setting.
Horton Grand Hotel
Management from the Horton Grand Hotel reached out and wanted design proposals for their planned redesign of their event hall, restrooms, whiskey lounge, and bridal suite. As part of a group collaboration, my contribution was envisioning a refreshed design for their main restrooms connected to their event hall. Gathering inspiration from the buildings unique historic background and architecture, I chose to use materials and color palettes to reflect the Victorian architecture but also honor the buildings location in the old Asian district of the Gaslamp. Emphasis was placed on sustainable, yet timeless materials that incorporate the color palette’s and motifs of both design inspirations. Minimal changes were made to the existing floor plan, focusing instead on refreshed materials and functionality.
Project Type: Hospitality
Existing Floor Plan
Scale: N.T.S
Women’s R.R. Proposed
Floor Plan
Scale: N.T.S
Men’s R.R. Proposed
Floor Plan
Scale: N.T.S
Perspective: Women’s Restroom
This fusion of styles creates a carefully curated palette for this women’s restroom. Cherry blossom wallpaper greets you, serving as the backdrop to a full length, backlit mirror. 100% recycled tile and ultracompact surfaces bring sustainability, color and traditional touches to a modernized space. Mixed metals and wainscotting balance the space, bringing sophistication and tranquility.
Perspective: Men’s Restroom
Bold, Fireclay tile welcomes you into the men’s restroom. Wainscotting along with mixed metals, wood accents, and a liquid and creamy ultracompact surface from Dekton all work together to pack a punch in this space. A full length mirror backed by a dark, cherry blossom wallpaper ties the space together, making this restroom anything but boring.
Asilo
Asilo
With the rise of online shopping and a plethora of manufacturers, shopping for essential and desired items has turned into a never-ending cycle of decision making. Websites have page upon page of items to filter through. Aisles in the stores are compact, have shelves that are unreachable by most and have multiple choices for one product. The stores themselves feel inpersonal, cramped, and overwhelming. Providing a shopping experience that is geared towards the consumer, as opposed to the manufacturer, is a lost art. The basis of consumption began with bartering for select items provided as opposed to endless selections. Adding an option to barter your products in exchange for products from a local vendor is a key in bringing back the personal touch and deep understanding between the consumer and the lost art of production. Providing resting areas that encourages the consumer to stay and take their time to learn about their products and those behind the products is something that is unseen in the current culture of curbside pick-up and grab and go ideals. This conceptual project aims to re-imagine the culture of shopping, placing emphasis on human connection with people, products and community.
Perspective:
This aerial view is in the early stages of development and shows how an atrium serves as a main connection point between both floors of Asilo. Wooden partition walls help to provide some separation in the space while still making it feel connected. Two loft spaces serve as resting spots to conversate and also as community spaces for learning events.
Aerial view of 1st and 2nd floor
Site
2121 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92102
46,782 sq. ft.
History
Parts of the building date back to 1899. The building used to be a grain processing plant before becoming the San Diego Farmers Market. The San Diego Farmers Market served as an indoor bazaar for local farmers and vendors in the community to offer their products for less to the community. The Market died down after multiple ICE raids that drove the vendors and locals away. Due to this, the building sat empty and it became a Walmart Neighborhood Market, now slated to close down.
Systems
No high shelves
Easy wayfinding
Items accessible from both sides of the shelves
Curated Selection
UV sanitation at entrance
Bottle refill station
Design
Natural/Sustainable materials
No harsh lighting
Natural lighting Patterns
No/Low VOC paint
Interactions
Barter system
Wide aisles for accessibility
Classes on how to use the products
Meet the maker
Products list with potential allergens
Separate aisles for different lifestyles
Sustainability
Many modern supermarkets are designed to be cost-effective, with consumer experience and impact on our planet not being a priority. Harsh lighting, inexpensive materials and durable yet unimpactful furniture are used in stores to make shopping an in and out experiece. Asilo focuses on sustainable materials with many mixes of color and textures to stimulate the customer’s senses while being concious of users inside the space and future generations. Bamboo shelving, 100% recycled tile, ultracompact surfaces and zero VOC paint are just a few of the sustainable materials used in this project. Human health is not only about what you consume, but also about where you spend your time.
Development
Solutions do not happen overnight. Coming up with a way to incorporate all aspects of a positive shopping experience in a way that is considerate of all consumers has its challenges. Shrinking down the space from 46,782 sq. ft. to 8,967 sq. ft. was a good way to make the space feel more intimate and personal. An atrium and eating area were important to provide emphasis and a space to rest. The name Asilo translates to asylum. The name was decided upon due to ease of pronunciation and the feeling that will be conveyed to consumers. I wanted this to be a space that made consumers feel safe.
Brainstorm and Development Drawings
Spaces where people can stop and conversate, ask questions, and enjoy their time. Below, an interaction web show how spaces relate to eachother and their purposes. A preliminary sketch of the atrium with raised eating, hangout area and preliminary space planning.
Perspective: Barter Space
A barter space brings back the lost art of the first human experience of shopping.
A loft space entices customers to stay a while. Bamboo slats and texture materials stimulate the human sense, which is necessary during these times.
Perspective: Shopping Space
Different height shelving that is accessible from both sides considers all users of the space and toe clearance is provided. The curved shelves invite you to search for your products instead of the typical “grab and go.”
Perspective: Loft
Ristorare
Ristorare
Ristorare is a cafe for students of a continuing education center. It is located at 4345 Campus Ave, the original site of the San Diego State Normal School, predecessor to San Diego State University. Part of a group collaboration that was focused on keeping the integrity and Italian Palazzo design of the original building, Ristorare focuses on providing continuing education students and members of its community with fuel and refreshments to continue their daily tasks. Emphasis was placed on modern, sustainable materials that would complement the buildings architecture. As well as provide sound proofing to reduce echoes, dropped ceiling with architectural, yet functional features, ultracompact surfaces and ample seating for solo or group study sessions.
Project Type: Higher Education: Cafe
Perspective:
Seating & Counter
Sound proofing panels from Turf Design soften the structural support columns, making them look intentional and reminiscent of Italian columns. Counter height and standing height seating are provided.
Perspective:
Ceiling & Seating
Freeform ceiling panels from Turf Design provide sound proofing for this dropped ceiling, reducing noise and bringing movement to the cafe.
Art. Design. Emotion.
Impacted by a need to help people from an early age, my path into the design field was unconventional. As a child, I always took an interest in reading and drawing. Growing up as a firstgeneration American came with its own set of expectations. Certain career paths are expected and encouraged as you grow up having the chance to be the first in your family to achieve a higher education. At one point, I believed going into the medical field was the only way I could help people and make my family proud.
After attempting to earn a degree in biology and completing a dental assisting program, I realized that I was on the wrong path. I stepped away from continuing my higher education, much to the objections of my family and took some time to re-ignite my interests and find what I was truly passionate about. After some research and reflection, I realized that creating is my passion and there are other avenues that help people.
I re-enrolled in college and took my first art and interior design courses. I quickly learned the importance that design holds on human emotion and their health. I knew I had found my calling. I feel immense pride to have found a career that I love and allows me to impact the well-being of others in ways that are often overlooked.
When designing and creating, human emotion, sustainability and experience are at the forefront of my process. These are some of the works that helped shape me into the designer I am today and reflect how I see the world.
I want to thank you for taking the time to review my portfolio. This portfolio is the culmination of over four years of self discovery as a person, artist and designer.
Thank You.