Multi disciplinary designer, specializing in hospitality, interior and exhibit design.
Gora Designs LLC, Barcelona, Spain, Principal
Working across multiple design disciplines, Gora Designs is an innovation and design firm of furniture, interiors and exhibits.
We strive for the balance between creativity and the real world to bring into reality the vision of our clients.
We are particularly passionate about sustainability, progressive urbanism and socially conscious design.
WeWork, London, Senior FF&E Manager
-In charge of creating a 300+ sku regional catalog for the use of over 40 interior designers based in studios in London, Berlin and Paris.
-In charge of sourcing and facilitiating bulk purchases for furniture, finishes, and construction materials, traveling across Europe to find the best partners and quality of products, establishing design and construction guidelines for the brand in Europe.
-Worked with cross functional partners in design, procurement and regional management to ensure quality standards and best pricing and terms.
-Designed over 60 skus of brand specific custom tables, from side to conference, with emphasis on the installation and transportation process, warehousing needs, installation instructions, manufacturing detailing and cable management for user's needs and branded WeWork spaces.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, US, Bachelors, Industrial psycology
Obtained bachelors in psychology with a specialization in industrial psychology. Graduated with a minor in Advertising and Physical Education.
Dean's list every semester from 1984 to 1986.
Published in Hospitality Design Magazine, Other
While working at EDG- The Source, by Wolfgang Puck, was featured in the April 2008 HD Expo Issue
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.
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.
Published in Seventeen magazine, Other
While at Gora Designs, jewelry work was published in the May and September 1992 issues of Seventeen magazine.
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.
