Member Profile: Margarita Torres Fabela
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am a current student at Angelo State University pursuing a dual major of B.F.A concentration in Graphic Design, and a B.A. in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. I entered school in 2022 and will be graduating in 2028, so I have been a student for 4 years. At the same time I have been a student, I also started my own art business where I take commissions and do professional work as well, mainly as a Graphic Designer and artist in general. I started this business almost at the same time I started school, so for about 3 or 4 years.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was a student assistant for the coordinator of the Angelo State University Eva Comunes Toker Up and Coming Scholars Program, a honor programs for only the top students in their high schools and college. I worked consisted of basically acting as the coordinator’s secretary, helping her plan events, and once events were happening, I would be the second in charge. I would be helping and guiding students and attendees; I would also be making sure all students were doing what they were supposed to do for these events, simultaneously as making sure everything was going smoothly and with no problems.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
My first formal education was in Central High School, where I achieved my first Adobe Certificate, and my further education is being achieved at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I got involved thanks to my Graphic Design professor, Professor Edwin Cuenco, and Graphic Design Club advisor and alumni Alex Bryant, who have been part of the ACM SIGGRAPH for years. My first actual involvement with the organization happened at SIGGRAPH 2026 as a Student Volunteer.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
My favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference is meeting people. I met so many nice and talented people that it is hard to just pick one instance. As a student, I got the chance to meet people who have my dream job or work at one of my dream companies. At first, I would think they are like movie stars, where is almost impossible to meet them, but SIGGRAPH showed me that even if you just go up and say “Hi” to random strangers, they will welcome you in, and a conversation can flourish. For example, people that you might be fan-talking with about a show are actually important people from a huge company, and you did not know that until after you shared contact information and saw it on their page. They will remember you, which is unlike other places I’ve attended. Meeting people from the dream positions and talking to them in such a casual way. Even if you don’t know what to say, I honestly went up to one of my favorite artists and was like, “I loved your talk, I love your art, I loved your movie, I’m a huge fan of you and wanted to meet you and talk with you, but don’t know what to say”, this surprisingly did not turned into an uncomfortable moment, it actually became a great experience where we ended up spending almost an hour talking about different staff. Is amazing how SIGGRAPH brings people together from all expertise and knowledge; this is my favorite thing about SIGGRAPH, just talking and meeting new people.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
As a double major in Graphic Design and Computer Science, school can get hard and overwhelming, but there are some projects that are able to work together. Last semester I had a computer science class that allowed us to do whatever type of app or program we would want with some requirements, and at the same time I was working on a UX/UI art class. The requirements were for the app/proggram to be functional, useful, necessary, and as much back-end coded and developed as we could; for my Art class, it was any app we would want to do that would be interactive and useful, but focusing on the front side of the app. I decided to do the same app for both projects. Since it was a group project, I talked with my members, and we decided to do a Minecraft guide for new people, a game guide app that could run offline and be adapted for multiple games if the info was changed.
Our app became like a Minecraft social media app where users could personalize their profiles, add friends and block people, chat publicly and privately with a bot to oversee all the interactions due to underage possible users, and upload and delete videos, and access a vast informational library that took us a week to fully research, along with a search function for it as well, and a functional crafting simulator among other staff. I used my Art class to plan out all the layout and functionalities for the website, coming up with the main design and logo. Of course, the result was 2 apps, one based on Art that is more of a prototype and the second one an almost functionall fully developed app based mainly on the code. Basically, one shows how the final project would look, and the other one shows how the final project should act. It is a big project for me since I was basically the Project Manager of both teams in both different classes and also the main visual designer, but of course I also did back-end coding, and the entire team in my computer science class basically did a little of everything. Needless to mention, both classes gave my groups and me an A for both apps.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone, I would choose Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of the founders of DreamWorks. DreamWorks has inspired me since I was young, and it is the studio where I hope to work one day. Rather than asking for a job or shortcuts into the industry, I would want to learn about the decisions, challenges, and values that helped build a studio known for creativity and innovation. I would ask how technology and storytelling continue to evolve together, what his favorite ones are, and what qualities he believes make artists and technical professionals successful, and what advice he would give to a student who wants to combine computer science, animation, and game development. I think that conversation would leave me with lessons that would guide my career for years.
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
Something that most people don’t know about me is that I funded the Multicultural Club at Central High School. A club meant to help ESL students improve their studies and grades, and make friends from similar or the same nationality; but it also welcomes students who only speak English and anybody who needs help with their studies or would like to make new friends. This is the first club that focuses on academics and multicultural inclusivity at the same time at Central High School. I started it around 2021 before I graduated, and it is still active, being alive for about 5 years now.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
The single person I have learned the most from is my high school teacher, Professor Chad Wilson. He was my teacher for three years, but over time he became much more than that. I eventually started calling him “Coach Wilson” because he coached our BPA team, but more importantly because he became my first mentor and someone I could always turn to for guidance. He introduced me to the fundamentals of 3D modeling, animation, storytelling, and art, helping me discover a passion that continues to shape my future. However, the most valuable lessons he taught me were not technical. He taught me how to face challenges with confidence, stay true to myself, navigate difficult situations, and keep moving forward even when things felt uncertain, all while staying positive. Whenever I needed advice, he was always willing to listen and share his perspective.
His encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I might otherwise have believed were beyond my reach. By the time I graduated, he had become such an important mentor that he walked with me at graduation, a moment I will always remember. Later, I had the opportunity to reconnect with him at Angelo State University after he became a professor there. Even then, he continued to teach and inspire me. He is the reason I fell in love with 3D animation and modeling, and he inspired me to pursue both of my majors. More importantly, he taught me to keep pushing forward, never give up, and embrace the incredible people I meet along the way. His influence continues to shape not only the work I create but also the person I strive to become.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
Yes, some friends who have previously gone to SIGGRAPH, Alex Bryant, and my graphic design professor, Edwin J. Cuenco, helped me to make my decision about working with ACM SIGGRAPH. They told me about their experiences and a lot of the wonders of it as well. They shared the good and complex things of SIGGRAPH, and even though I was shy and nervous at first, their words and encouragement pushed me to make up my mind and venture out to my first convention as a student volunteer.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
The proudest moment of my career is a bit hard to choose. I am still starting my career, but I have gotten some achievements and awards; probably one of the biggest is the 47th annual Midland Arts Association Fall Juried Exhibition first place in the Printmaking category, but my proudest is the Sister Act set design best designing award. This was my first play to ever be lead co-designer; I came up with the set design and art, how the visuals should go, and the clutter. I did weeks of research and searched for all the assets needed in the play, as well as maybe some props. I also helped with the building up and painting of it, so for this award to be given to us as the best design in the entire play, it was unexpected.