Darrin Brooks

Biography

Darrin Brooks is a professor of Interior Architecture & Design. He has received multiple design commissions, appeared in juried shows, and received prestigious design and service awards. His research at Utah State identifies branding strategies relating to the décor changes in the Oval Office from 1934 to the present. Students from Brooks’ courses have won numerous national design awards. Since 2004, he has brought over 30 prestigious international and national design leaders to work with Utah State design students. The Caine College of the Arts recognized Brooks as the 2018 “Teacher of the Year” and the “International Professor of the Year” in 2014. His mantra is “Design like you give a damn.” He is also a member of ASID’s College of Fellows. Election to the ASID College of Fellows, the Society’s highest honor, is bestowed on less than 1% of the ASID membership. Fellowship is bestowed on professional members who have made notable and outstanding contributions to the profession, not only through their work, but through their demonstrated commitment to ASID and to the interior design industry. He also received the 2025 ASID 50 Award. This award recognizes and celebrates 50 exceptional ASID members, spanning all membership categories, who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, engagement, and impactful work throughout their careers. Brooks also serves on CIDA’s Standards Committee and has served as a site visitor.

Brooks is the owner of Brooks Design Associates, a firm specializing in both residential-commercial interior design and both set-costume design for theatre. Before joining the faculty at USU, he owned a high-end residential design firm in Greenwich, Connecticut. He has received numerous awards for his work, including set and costume designs being displayed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In addition, his work has appeared in various magazines and journals including Bedroom and Bath, Journal of Interior Design, Sources and Design, Southern Accents, Vermont, and Greenwich magazines.