DESIGN
PORTFOLIO SETH GARCIA
Bienvenidos, I am Seth Garcia, a designer, and this is my portfolio. This portfolio serves to showcase the different projects I’ve worked on over these past few years.
As a designer, I’ve found that reality is what you make out of it. Certain things, that may not be real, can simply be willed into existance as long as it is desired.
Aside from my work, I have a passion to explore new hobbies. When I have the time I love to sightsee, play any kind of recreational sport, and I can’t get enough of music from all over the world. Most of all, I enjoy the company of others. .
SETH GARCIA
Portfolio | Johnson City, TN, 37660 | (423) 276 - 7197 | arci.smg@gmail.com
Organized and enthusiastic design student interested in architecture. Heavily driven by a piqued interest to learn and contribute to all parts of a project.
EDUCATION
East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Interior Architecture
-GPA: 3.67
Johnson City, TN, United States
Expected Graduation: Fall 2026
-Relevant coursework: Interior Architecture, Design, Graphic Design, Project Management
PROJECTS
STUDIO VI, ETSU
Student Designer | Prof. Lewis section
Johnson City, TN, United States January, 2026 - Ongoing
- Integrated specialized laminate product for the 2026 FORMICA Student Competition entry
- Utilized AutodeskRevit to design a transforming workspace for Eblen Charities.
STUDIO V, ETSU
Student Designer | Prof. Isham section
Johnson City, TN, United States August, 2025 - December, 2025
- integrated International Building Code and smart security systems into commercial projects.
- Utilized Enscape and Adobe to create 3D renders of systems and renovations.
WORK & RELATED EXPERIENCE
Bosque Plaza, ETSU
Student Council Lead, Draftsman, & Researcher | ROSS / FOWLER Architecture
Johnson City, TN, United States Febuary, 2026 - Ongoing
- Conducting research for sculptural proposals dedicated to commemorating ETSU heritage.
- Working alongside a small team to recover lost knowledge of a founding father to sculpt.
Bucky’s Career Closet Renewal, ETSU
Designer & Project Manager | University Career Services
Johnson City, TN, United States Febuary, 2026 - Ongoing
- A Bucky’s Career Closet redesign better aimed to develop a student’s professional attire.
- Project manager upholding comms. between career services & board of education at ETSU.
East Tennessee State University
Hearing Board member, Academic Misconduct Comittee
Johnson City, TN, United States January, 2026 - Ongoing
- Analyzed a timeline of events and key evidence to provide a decision in a judicial-like setting.
- Byington vs Connors Experience:
- Analyzed student character and key artifacts which concluded in a student violation.
Study Abroad
Interior Architecture Student, Junior Class
Rome, Italy May, 2025 - July, 2025
-Designed “Pines of Modernity”, a proposal consisting of a set of large tensile structures aimed to address heat and crowding in large spaces of traffic, such as the Piazza di Sant’Ignazio.
- SketchUp used to create the 3D model, and renders were enhanced by Adobe.
LANGUAGES, SKILLS, & CLUBS
Languages: Fluent in English, Conversational Profieciency in Spanish, Rudimentary Italian Technical Skills: Autodesk Revit, Adobe Creative Cloud, SketchUp, SolidWorks, Microsoft 365, Canva Student Clubs: American Society of Interior Designers & Young Professionals on Campus member
MALEVOLENT KUROHIKARI
HISTORIC TILE SYLVIO RESIDENCE
TESSERACT
PINES OF MODERNITY
MALEVOLENT KUROHIKARI
A glimpse past dusk’s veil reveals light that is not salvation, but rather a truth that is not meant to be seen.
Site: Japanese Restaurant
Fall 2024
Studio project
A japanese restaurant has tasked me to design a table lamp that conveys not only a story, but elements that created this world. An array of patterns were implemented to demonstrate each type of element, and the lamp is intentionally dimmer to provide a more intimate experience with low light settings. The narative that follows is dramatic, and dark; which, is serves as stark dichotomy between darkness and light.
Past the black laced veil lies a clouded prophecy, a doomed prophecy . This is only fulfilled by Mt. Fuji erupting over japan. The winds tear down the sky; hardened rock falls from above, flame catches everything in sight; all waters become contaminated and toxic. life cannot be sustained.
Light scene
Perspective photograph of kumiko style lamp
Light scene
Perspective photograph of kumiko style lamp
lamp top (open & closed)
Top view of kumiko style lamp
Lamp elevations with lamp narrative B/W photos depicting the obscured story
Lamp elevation with lamp narrative Final model and inner most layers
HISTORICAL TILE
ASID Tennessee Golden Gala Competition Inspirired by a Venus with irresitable grace in her step.
Eurpean Renaissance precedence Spring 2025
I was tasked to design a tile based on historical context. This design draws its inspiration from the rich artistic traditions of the European Renaissance, which is a period renowned for its revival of classical antiquity and humanistic ideals. this tile is meant to embody a harmonious balance between geometry and ornamentation, showcasing intricate motifs and symmetrical compositions reminiscent of 15th and 16th century Italian and French decorative arts.
This triangular tile achieves these ideas through the intricate patterns layered within itself. Rings dance around the tile and connect with one another, just as the people of the time conencted with one another through philosophical debates or court performances. The Fleur-de-lis motif represents sophistication which intertwines with common elements to show relations.
Tile Render Jealous Jupiter in a fitting environment
Tile Render Velvet Swing in a fitting environment
COMPOSITION
Foilage Cross Cross Band
Fleur-de-lis
Sun Border Intertwining Ring Crown Band
Sun Fragment
Jealous Jupiter pattern Graphic Pattern
Process Sketches
Illustrations with pen and paper
SYLVIO RESIDENCE
The one home for all, the home to outlast all, all for one Sylvio Family.
Site: Lot 80 / Old Greybeard Rd, NC Spring 2025
Residential Project
The Sylvio’s are a retiring Muslim Family. They are looking to retire in Flat Rock, NC. Considerations for Mrs. Sylvio’s mother must be thought of as a wheelchair bound individual. The Sylvios consist of many members, and so designing to accomodate for all ages is a top priority. The sylvios have chosen a property and asked the design team to keep the design modest and similar to the original.
The Sylvios are specifically looking to incoprorate, renown designer and architect, Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s designs into this retirement home. The Sylvios admire his designs and want to incorporate his sophisticated work in with the design team. Comfort is a luxury they do not want to skimp out on, and should be accessible to all individuals.
Aeriel perspective
Sylvio Residence
Northern Elevation
Sylvio Residence
FLOOR PLANS
Rendered, without tags, or dimensioning.
Second floor above
First floor below
The second floor is dedicated to guests and kids, because the Sylvios must take care of their grandmother. A children’s playroom is adjacent to the children’s bedroom, Mrs. Sylvio has an art studio facing outside with a private balcony.
Just below, the first floor houses Mr. and Mrs. Sylvio as well as the grandmother. There are no raised surfaces to allow the grandmother to go anywhere. The master suite has two bathrooms: one for
Rear patio perspective
Sylvio Residence
Kitchen perspective
Sylvio Residence
MATERIALS
Accompanied with appropriate renders (Product information upon request)
Kitchen perspective
Sylvio Residence
THE TESSERACT
A place where division doesn’t isolate, but births a multitude of touchpoints to the soul.
Site: Downtown / Spruce Pine, NC Fall 2025
Commercial Project
The Tesseract was birthed from the end of a previous building. This place serves to host several kinds of events for the public; such as, conferences and career fairs. The purpose of this rennovation is to bring the small population of Spruce Pines together, where as one unified collective they can thrive.
The design is grounded in rectilinear shapes that are contrasted with soft colors. Each of these are carved out in some manner with a technique I called “cleave”. The process begins by the division of areas that lead to further division to then create a heirarchy. Additionally, these are cuts are based on the golden ratio, for the perfect cut.
PROCESS
Many iterations and ideas throughout the project
NARRATIVE
Drafting is an essential portion of designing, I spent a good bit of time playing how the building would appear with different roofs and profiles. The desk portion came much simpler after learning how to develop a concise concept. Learning forms is fundamental to block out spaces, and learning these masses guided my way of thinking with my own technique - Cleave.
Process Sketches
Illustrated by Seth Garcia
FLOOR PLANS
First floor and second floor respectively
RECEPTION DESK
A custom desk
Another focus of the The desk is based on the golden mean with each layer descending layer becoming more and more complex. The desk suits two receptionists, and accomodates for wheelchair bound individuals.
Desk Elevations
Detailed elevations with dimensioning
MATERIALS
Accompanied with appropriate renders (Product information upon request)
Kitchen perspective
Sylvio Residence
PINES OF MODERNITY
A contemporary grove, reminiscent of the past, rebirthing into the modern era
Site: Piaza di Sant’Ignazio
Summer 2025
Study abroad project
Residents and business owners have tasked the design team to design a structure to serve as the focal point for piazza of sant’ignazio. A design with the intent to host many types of events with a specific construction. This structure must have some way to cool or shade the residents, have a small lockable space, draw from historical precedence, and provide a contruction method that allows event organizers to assemble.
To address this issue I designed a tensile structure capable of accommodating a variety of settings. When idle, the structure resembles a corinthian column much like the pilasters on the church of Sant’Ignazio. When opened, the structure resembles a stone pine, which is one of the prominent trees in Italy. A water collection system is in place at the center and disperses as mist set by the event organizers. when opened up, the sculpture provides shade underneath, also providing a way to track time through the pattern on the fabric projected onto the ground. This water is propelled by tubes inside the structure. There are several ways to collect water to; for instance, the shape of the fabric funnels water inside to the water chamber. the tension of the arms is adjusted through each end of the arms and the funnel is created by 3 points of tension
Process and components Concept Sketches
Axon illustration
Sketch of existing Sant’Ignazio Piazza
Elevations of the surrounding buildings
Sketches of Sant’Ignazio Piazza
Prototype:
Expirimented with different number of arms (22) to test constraints of structure.
Model Prototype
3d printed using PLA filament
Elevations of the finished structure Sketches of a “Modern Pine”
