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Glorimar Santiago, LEED AP

Glorimar Santiago, LEED AP

San Francisco, CA, US

 

About 

I have been working as a commercial interior designer for over thirteen years in San Francisco, New York and Miami, with the last nine focused on hospitality and retail. I have a master’s degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute in New York and specialized in furniture, which is what made my career gravitate towards interior and architectural design. My many years as a designer have allowed me to learn about the connection between design, business, operational and budget parameters as an integral part of a successful design. As a seasoned team player and independent thinker, I am aware that the relationships with colleagues and clients on a personal level mark the quality of our collective creative output.

My skills, among others, consist of the following:

  • 13 years corporate experience as an international hospitality and furniture designer.
  • LEED certified for commercial interiors.
  • Expert knowledge of all aspects of hospitality design projects including tenant improvement, space planning, FF&E selection, custom furniture and millwork and vendor management.
  • Proficiency in Autodesk Revit, Autocad and Sketch Up.
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Expert in interior projects’ documentation and detailing, from concept  to construction.
  • Expert at the creation of presentation books and materials, rapid visualization and concept development.
  • Expert researcher of materials and finishes with emphasis on brand compliance.
  • Expert at custom furniture design, selection, specification and detailing.
  • Experienced managing multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Experienced in design management and mentoring.
  • Avid traveler accustomed to multiple cultures and international clients with particular knowledge of Latin American markets.
  • Entrepreneur mentality with a clear understanding of business, branding and operations and their relationship to effective design.
  • Proven ability in writing proposals, articles and instructional materials to support design concepts and ideas.
  • Current on contemporary trends by regular attendance to trade-shows, subscriptions, social networking media and avid reading.
  • Spoken and written fluency in English and Spanish. Currently in fifth year study of German.
  • US Citizen willing  to relocate internationally.
  • Enthusiastic and self-motivated team player with a positive and professional attitude geared towards problem solving and harmonious collaboration between clients and team members, remotely or in-house.
  • Passionate about sustainable and social design, member of AIA, USGBC, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, WWF and PETA.

Employment 

EDG Interior Architecture + Design, Novato, CA, US, Senior Designer

- Design Lead for hospitality projects , including layout design, design of architectural elements, custom millwork, furniture and lighting.
- Manage a team of designers, junior designer and interns, with the goal of producing world class design within budget and brand parameters.
-Coordinate design meetings and collaboration with subcontractors and fabricators through pricing to shop drawing review and approval.
-Source FF&E for large public spaces projects, select palettes, art and accessories to support project concept and branding.
-Develop project schedules in coordination with project managers and studio leadership.
-Co creator and Partner with fellow industrial designer Gustavo Perez, in leading the ID Lab, a voluntary workshop for colleagues company wide, to develop industrial design products, furniture and lighting.

Sep 2015 - May 2017
 

Starbucks Coffee Company, Miami, FL, Design Manager

-Design Manager to multiple projects located in Latin America including Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
-Oversaw design of 4 production designers on concept, design and detailing.
-Designed over 40 stores per year, from vacant lot to full completion, including among other tasks, architectural design, layout, FF&E selection, design of custom features, details and back of the house.
-Oversaw coordination between vendors and market teams for brand compliance and delivery of ff&e.
-Coordinated with artists and fabricators of custom features from Miami.
-Researched and aided material managers in finding local vendors in the different markets that would comply with brand standards and provide items for regional catalogs.
-Created supportive materials for a 12 person LATAM team, working directly with the Design Director for Latin America, including studies on Latin American Art and color studies for particular markets (Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Puerto Rico). These documents directed the color and art direction for the team.
-Wrote press releases for the marketing team when required.
-Developed my expertise at design research and concept development.

Sep 2013 - Sep 2015
 

Design Plus Group, Tiburon, CA, Senior Designer

-Designed independently owned restaurants and bars for diverse clients in the San Francisco/Bay Area.
-Coordinated and oversaw work by subcontractors in Asia (renderings and drawings).
-Project-managed all jobs to ensure execution of design intent and details.
-Worked with architects and principal to expand firm business and marketing.

Jan 2010 - Aug 2013
 

EDG Interior Architecture + Design, San Francisco, CA, US, Interior Designer

-Designed interior architecture, custom furniture and millwork, lighting etc for hi-end international hospitality projects for clients such as Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton & Kimpton Hotels among others, as well as for celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck, Gary Danko and Ken Rathbun et al.
-Selected all finishes and furniture and prepared all specification books.
-Coordinated FF&E procurement with purchasing departments.
-Designed and detailed custom furniture and lighting fixtures and coordinated fabrication.
-Became expert at design research and concept development.
-Became expert at sourcing all details of hospitality projects- from grand chandeliers to tableware.
-Selected all art and accessories.

Jun 2004 - Nov 2008
 

Education 

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, US, Masters, Industrial Design

Graduated from Masters in Industrial Design.
Thesis project : Permalab- A center for the study of Permaculture, to be built in semi abandoned buildings in areas devastated by natural disasters. The design of the center included rainwater catchment systems, greywater purification systems, interior design including adaptable, sustainable furniture and hydroponic roof nursery.

Aug 2009 - May 2010
 

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, US, Industrial Design

Three and an half years of studies in art and industrial design. Foundation year included classic art education, with two and a half years on the masters of industrial design program.

Aug 1987 - May 1990
 

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, US, Bachelors, Industrial psycology

Obtained bachelors in psychology with specialization in industrial psychology. Graduated with a minor in advertising and public relations.
Dean's list every semester from 1984 to 1986.

Aug 1982 - May 1986
 

Awards 

Published in Hospitality Design Magazine, Other

While working at EDG- The Source, by Wolfgang Puck, was featured in the April 2008 HD Expo Issue

2008
 

Architectural Woodwork Mfrs. Assoc. of Canada, BC Chapter-Award of Excellence, 1st Place

While at EDG Inc, Yew Restaurant, located in the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, won the the Award of Excellence for Design and Manufacture. Millwork design was part of my task list.

2007
 

Published in Hospitality Design Magazine, Other

While working at EDG- Bong Su in San Francisco was featured in the September 2006 Hospitality design magazine. This restaurant was also awarded one of the best 10 restaurants of the year by Esquire Magazine in its September 2006 issue. Was also published in San Francisco magazine, November 2006.

2006
 

Published in Seventeen magazine, Other

While at Gora Designs, jewelry work was published in the May and September 1992 issues of Seventeen magazine.

1992
 

Published in W magazine, Other

While working at Gora Designs- jewelry work was published in the January 6-13 1992 issue of W magazine as part of an article about hi fashion in Miami.

1992
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills