Long-time professor recognized by national design organization
When interior design professor Darrin Brooks was inducted into the American Society of Interior Designers’ College of Fellows, one of only four people in the nation honored this year, he didn’t see it as a personal victory. For him, the recognition was proof of what his students already know: Utah State’s interior design program gives them the tools to make an impact far beyond the classroom.
Brooks has been an interior designer for over 30 years. He began his career in practice and was later recruited by Utah State to return as an educator.
“It became increasingly important to me to become involved in professional organizations,” Brooks said about joining ASID and starting a chapter on campus.
Brooks said the chapter has expanded significantly over the years, becoming a central part of students’ experience in the program.
“Since that initial ASID student group, we’ve had over almost 900 student members since my time starting at USU over the last 24 years,” Brooks said. “And the exciting thing is, in the announcement that came out this week, you can see that all of our students and all of our faculty are members of this organization.”
The USU ASID chapter has earned more than $150,000 in scholarships and awards, building a reputation for excellence that puts students on the national radar, according to Brooks.
“I’m most proud of that. Through this organization, it’s opened up so many opportunities for our students. Our students are known for winning all sorts of competitions. We have a reputation. Our program is ranked eighth in the country for value, and we’re very proud of that. We’re the oldest accredited design program in Utah,” Brooks said.
Starting on Oct. 1, Brooks will step into the role of chair-elect, overseeing all of the organizations within ASID. For him, that leadership role isn’t just about advancing the profession — it’s about shining a spotlight on USU students.
“Our students have a tremendous work ethic,” Brooks said. “I’m a tough professor, but our students are tough because they work so hard. And what happens is that in that experience, they reach out. They want to hire our students.”
USU students learn skills and work habits that prepare them for careers in the industry.
“I love our program so much. It’s a wonderful blend of competitively pushing each other while also helping each other better our work,” said Ava Anderson, a USU interior architecture and design student.
Anderson added the program not only encourages collaboration among students but also benefits from strong faculty support.
“[Brooks] is so good at connecting us to what design is and helping us find opportunities to push ourselves and better our program,” Anderson said.
One way Brooks pushes his students is through the Visiting Designers series, a long-running program he oversees. The series brings prestigious designers to campus not just to give a lecture but to collaborate with students on a semester-long project. Through the experience, students gain exposure to the professional world and interact with nationally recognized designers.
However, for Brooks, it’s about more than classroom success — it’s about preparing students to make a difference. He tells his students to “design like you give a damn,” a mantra that emphasizes health, safety and the impact design has on people’s everyday lives.
“I’m hoping to instill the idea in students that someday they might have an impact and that’s one of the themes of the American Society of Interior Designers — it’s ‘design impacts lives,’” Brooks said. “When we know that we can benefit the lives of the people whom we work with, I think that’s huge. And that would be the thing they can learn from me, is that they too can impact the lives of others through leadership and through service. That would be my greatest honor to see.”