Gita Singh's design philosophy focuses on making spaces more creative, unique, and inspiring. She is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and strives to capture audiences through innovative design concepts. Her approach creates empowering environments through sustainable and socially responsible design that improves lives. The document outlines her resume, portfolio including a homeless shelter, restaurant, furniture, and hotel designs, and areas of graphic design work.

1. gita d. singh

2. D esign Philosophy
When I approach design, the biggest question I ask, how can I make this space more creative, better or unique from
the last person. My inspiration comes from the painting, Mona Lisa. It makes me think, what Leonardo da Vinci was
thinking. How can I think this way and be creative as he was? My mind starts spinning on how I can capture the
audience like he did.
I thrive to become a designer who can take a vision and turn it into new concepts. I am always exploring new
possibilities and focusing on ways to implement an innovative concept. This approach has always allowed me to
think outside the box. I feel this keeps my mind open to endless possibilities.
My approach to design has always been to create an environment that is powerful enough to create an experience
for that individual. Be committed in creating a healthy, sustainable environment by being socially responsible and
by improving the planet’s overall environmental condition.

3. T able of Contents
1. Resume
2. Homeless Shelter
3. Restaurant Design
4. Furniture Design
5. Judah House
6. Male Inspired Hotel Design
7. Graphic Design

4. gita d. singh gita.d.singh@gmail.com
c: 650.796.4053 h: 650.566.8943
OBJECTIVE: I am well versed in design skills which include 3D rendering, model making and hand drafting. I would like to work for an organization where I can
utilize my skills in LEED projects, and where I can use my 3D rendering skills in creating BIM models for more efficient construction. I have extensive
experience from my interior design class which has helped me develop conceptual drawings and 3D renderings for presentations. My work has been
highly regarded and I graduated with a 4.00 GPA in my major: graduated summa cum laude and won third place in an IIDA student competition.
EDUCATION: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 09.05 - 05.10
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design, overall GPA 3.89 (summa cum laude). Member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Transferred from West Valley College to San Jose State University in 2007
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano - Summer Study Abroad Design Program 06.09
British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, Canada
Associate Certificate in Financial Planning, 1999
Langara College, Vancouver, Canada
Major: Business Administration; Certificate in Internet Publishing, 2000
EXPERIENCE: Intern 01.10 - 09.10
Barry Swenson Builder, San Jose, CA
Assisted architects in space planning solutions and design concepts for interior and exterior projects. Input designs into AutoCad and Revit,
research architectural styles for the project, interacting with the client and the Planning Department for the City of Santa Cruz. Space planning of a
new wing for The Art League of Santa Cruz. Designed ads that were published in the Business Journal and Rotary Club of San Jose.
Intern
Pamela Pennington, Palo Alto, CA 08.07 - 12.07
Selected and arranged material finishes for both Commercial and Residential Clients, input designs into AutoCAD, designed furniture, assisted in
surveying homes and preparing presentation boards.
Senior Marketing and Business Manager 05.02 - 08.05
Alteris Therapeutics Inc, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Designed the website and marketing materials; prepared business presentations, budgets and reports and dealt with all Human Resource issues.
Assisted in acquisition of Alteris by third party.
Financial Industry, 11.98 - 07.03
Positions held: Branch Manager, Officer, Business Banking Specialist, Financial Service Advisor / Mutual Funds Investment Specialist.
Proactively coaching staff to meet personal and team sales and service objectives, directly involved in generating new business and increasing
existing business, recruit, train and develop new employees as well as monitoring their performances.
PROFESSIONAL Co-Vice President of Student Affairs, Northern California Chapter 07.10 - Present
ACHIEVEMENTS: San Jose State University Interior Design Alumni Panel 04.09 - Present
IIDA, Northern California Chapter, Student Liaison 04.09 - 07.10
IIDA, Northern California Chapter 2010 Student Design Awards, 3rd Place 03.10
Committee Chair, Emerging Green Builders 09.08 - 09.09
Certified Green Building Professional, Build It Green 05.08 - 05.10
Chair Person, Competition and Scholarship Committee at West Valley College 05.07 - 08.08
SKILLS: AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Flash, PowerPoint, Excel, model making and rendering with markers, pencils and watercolor. Fluent
in Hindi.
PROFESSIONAL International Interior Design Association, member #996625
AFFILIATIONS: American Institute of Architects, member #30458844

5. A New Beginning
Homeless Shelter
Location: San Francisco, California
Concept: My design for a homeless shelter is derived from a fetus in a womb. Like the womb, the
shelter will give homeless people a place where they can feel safe, where they can grow mentally
and physically, and a place where they have a sense of stability. Overall, it will provide an
environment where they can achieve a sense of balance and a sense of belonging.
There are several elements of the womb that will be represented in the design of the shelter. For
example, the uterus has a very thick layer, providing a strongbox for the fetus. The structure will be
made from polycarbonate which is very strong and will insulate the shelter's walls and ceiling. The
fetus is cushioned and has a sense of balance in the womb. Balance will be created through using
elements which are similar in shape but hierarchically graded in size leading to a sense of harmony
through rhythm and repetition.
Overall, this shelter is designed to be disassembled or relocated if needed. But most importantly it
Medium: Acrylic
will provide stability, security and growth for the homeless person.
Design Process
Medium: Revit and Photoshop

7. Materials
Sleeping Area
Open space plan
Bamboo flooring
Door to provide
security and privacy
Storage under the bed
Stainless steel Seating area -
Outdoor storage space
hooks for vertical Desk and chair made from
fastening compressed sunflower
seeds
Some panels are transparent
to provide natural lighting
To help protect the occupant the
shelter is flame-retardant,
windproof, and waterproof For easy installation, the panels
feature a waterproof tongue and
groove application
Polycarbonate panels are a recyclable material that is lightweight,
tough and durable. Polycarbonate is energy efficient which allows
up to 90 percent transmittance of solar energy and 88 percent of
visible light.
The interior space is flexible and can
accomodate various layouts of furniture
Polycarbonate Multiwall
UV Power film Excellent UV Blocking
protective PV modules Insulation - layer
on the outer in the inner the protects
side of the multi-walled objects
sheets traps inside the
air within
Medium: Revit and Photoshop

9. Prefabricated shelters are very
flexible and adaptable.
Transportation and assembly
of the shelter is effortless and
erected at the site.
Medium: Bass Wood, Pastel and Revit

11. Zen Restaurant
Location: San Francisco, California
From the moment you step inside the restaurant, you are immediately engaged in the transformation of the individual
spaces. The interior space is so dramatic that the patrons are consumed by the structure of the 4 individual spaces
of being: water, wind, light and motion. The feeling of movement and relaxation will be part of the overall experience.
As you look around the interior space, your eyes will immediately move towards the ceiling, where the shape of the
lotus flower ties all the 4 spaces together.
The restaurant is located in the San Francisco Bay area and is inspired by the concept of Zen philosophy. Calm, clear,
pure and wide open space is the qualities of Zen found in this space and in one’s mind. Through the 4 beings the
patrons can easily relate to the Zen philosophy. Since Zen is associated with simplicity, the interior décor will be
minimalist and postmodern. Natural and warm colors will be used through out the space to evoke serenity and
harmony. Sustainable materials will enhance the space.
Following the concept of Zen, the 4 places of being will encourage the patrons to take a longer and closer look at all
that are around them to capture their heightened awareness. Zen sharpens our senses and intensifies our power of
perception and so enriches the overall experience. Each individual space will be transformed into something unique,
and in sum the unique experiences will become an extraordinary experience.
To achieve the insight of Zen, we must capture the essence and intimacy on different levels for all 4 places: water,
light, motion, and wind. The space itself will create a relationship between the containing space: the original space of
the building, and its content: the internal restaurant space.
The restaurant will have natural light, asymmetrical form, reflective material and curvilinear shapes describing the 4
individual spaces of being: water, wind, light and motion, the elements of the Zen philosophy. These elements are
needed to capture the essence of the feeling of this avant garde restaurant. As you flow from one space into another,
you will have a different experience. And most importantly, the space will be functional and an environment that
enhances the experience for the patrons who will eat a the restaurant.
Medium: Revit and Photoshop

19. radiAlis Furniture Design
Concept: The scope of the project was to design an interactive,
multi-use, media center for commercial application. The design of
this conference unit was based on the radial design, which makes
it easy for viewing the screen and interacting with one another.
Overhead panels create an open environment where people
are encouraged to interact. The chair is a pod style design
that is clean and light which reveals the chair’s feature and
functions. The table is part of the radial design and
further facilitates interactions.
Medium: Revit and Photoshop
Team Project

21. Features
Custom Seat
Design: Cushion
conforms to the
body shape and offers
comfort.
Innovative Look: The chair
is a pod-style design that is
clean and light which reveals
the chair’s feature and function. Privacy: Overhead
panels for privacy.
The chair comes in range of colors An open environment where
that mix or match to complement people are encouraged to interact with
interiors and other furniture. one another.
Storage: Under seat storage for Features: Custom design each screen to match the
personal belognings company’s logo and color.
Sustainability: The chair is upholstered in Multiple Entries: Based on a radial design – radiates from a center
knoll textile and the frame is aluminum and point.
poly-carbonate.
Sustainability: 3 form translucent panels– natural light passes through.
The space does not feel confined. The poles are made from aluminum
Sony Oled Space Efficient: Ideal for
small spaces.
Custom Table Design: The
radial design makes it easy
for viewing the screen and
interacting with one another.
Aesthetic Appeal: A modern and a
sleek design which reveals the tables
feature and function.
Sustainability: Base is veneer finish made
with certified sustainable wood.
The table surface is made from 3 Form –
chroma line.
Medium: Revit and Photoshop

23. T he Judah House
Judah Residence was our final project for Architectural Presentation class. It was extremely
important in this project to maintain control of the medium by building color and tone density
and mixing color gradually. The project included drafting a site plan, floor plan and two
elevations. Rendering and drafting took a total of one hundred sixty hours to complete.
medium: hand - drafted, pantone markers and
prisma
colored pencils
Medium: hand - drafted, pantone markers and prisma, colored pencils
Designed by: MacCracken Architects
site plan

25. S cheme M
Project: Design a room that is gender specific to business travelers in their
40’s and 50’s. The design is geared towards an environment that is
welcoming and pleasing to the specific gender, female or male, and a
scheme that will reflect sensibilites specific to that gender.
Scheme M is designed specifically for men. The M room is designed like a
interior of a fine luxury car: When a man opens the door it becomes his
inner sanctum. The space will be dramatically and boldly masculine but
with classic touches to make it more inviting. There are male motifs
throughout the design, such as bold textures, geometric shapes and straight
lines.
Interior Architecture Conceptual Studio
Medium: colored pencil, markers, pastel, photoshop

26. Leather upholstery for
chair and bench
3 Form Panel
Stainless steel
Walnut finish for
furniture and walls Wall paint
Flooring
Garbage can
Legend
1. King size bed
2. Lounge seating
3. Desk wit fax machine
4.
5.
Refrigerator
TV cabinet Design Process
6. Safe
7. Bench
8. Ironing board
9. Storage for luggage and clothes
10. Trash can
11. Umbrella stand

27. Created design and graphic layout for
advertisement for Barry Swenson
Builder. Ad appeared in the local
publication
Try Design Build
For your next home or office project
A smarter way to get the job done!
Contact our design TEAM at
www.barryswensonbuilder.com
G raphic Design
Call us at 408.287.0246 for more information

28. Looking for a NEWspace?
office / retail / warehouse
omination
ur n for
yo
n
De
o
Created design and graphic layout for advertisement For Available Properties visit our website at
Barry
for Barry Swenson Builder. Ad appeared in the Silicon vel
Valley / San Jose Business Journal.
oper of the Ye www.barryswensonbuilder.com
ons
ulati
rat
ar
g
n aw
Co ard
!
Call us at 408.287.0246 for more information

29. T ravels are my Inspiration

31. gita.d.singh@gmail.com
interior design
c: 650.796.4053
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gitasingh