Q&A with Georges Fares

GEORGES FARES

Instructor, Kansas State University

MID II, 2019

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ACADEMIC POSITION AND WHAT DOES IT ENCOMPASS? 

My responsibilities include teaching six undergraduate courses per year, and providing service to the Interior Design Program, the Department of Interior Design and Fashion Studies, and the College of Human Ecology. My teaching includes studio classes from freshman to senior year, teaching design and behavior, fabrication, digital modeling and rendering. I also oversee the technology aspect of the department.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE WITHIN THE FIELD OF INTERIOR DESIGN? 

I have over eight years of experience designing and implementing private and public design projects in various countries in the Levant, Europe, the Gulf region and North America. My designs seek to aid people with physical and mental disabilities, along with examining the different ways that architecture and space could be engaged in treating and minimizing the obstacles of Autism Spectrum Disorder in their day-to-day lives. Through interior design, I try to incorporate cutting-edge technology with design to positively influence the behavior and daily lives of minority groups with special needs.

HOW DID YOUR STUDIES HERE PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER AS A DESIGN EDUCATOR? 

The University of Texas has provided me with valuable space to explore, learn and grow. During my graduate training at the University of Texas at Austin, I was fortunate to work alongside several influential and passionate professors, which enabled me to enhance my skills and expertise by exposing me to various new technologies, interdisciplinary research and challenging projects. I attribute much of my success today to my experience at UT Austin, as the years I spent there greatly influenced and shaped me into the international designer and professor I am today.  

IS THERE AN ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AT UT THAT STANDS OUT AS PARTICULARLY INFORMATIVE OR MEANINGFUL? 

One of the most memorable and informative academic experiences that stands out for me is the Design Futures Student Leadership Forum I attended through UTSOA in May 2018. The forum got me interested in designing with human behavior and psychology in mind, while also focusing on inclusivity and diversity. During one of the panels I attended at Design Futures, we discussed the various methods of making social minorities and groups present within architectural designs. The forum helped me develop a creative edge in my research and provided me with new techniques for creative collaborations, teamwork, and healthy communication in my work.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO EMERGING INTERIOR DESIGNERS INTERESTED IN TEACHING? 

Be patient, have a sense of humor, work hard to stand out, and make a difference in the world. Also, don’t forget that you never stop being a student, so you should always seek to learn new things, grow and get better.