A Kwantlen Polytechnic University alumna has been inducted into the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) College of Fellows, along with 12 other individuals.
“It is an amazing feeling to be acknowledged by your peers. I am a strong believer in ‘doing’ and contributing to the profession,” says Ada Bonini. “I don’t like to sit back and watch it happen, I like to be a part of it. To receive this was truly an honour.”
“Ada Bonini was honoured as an IDC fellow for her longstanding contributions and commitment to the interior design industry, and excellence in leadership on a provincial and national level,” says Tony Brenders, IDC chief executive officer.
Bonini graduated from the KPU interior design program – now called the Wilson School of Design – in 1998. In 2003, Bonini and Cheryl Broadhead, another KPU alumna and Bonini’s fellow classmate, opened their own design firm, Bob’s Your Uncle (BYU).
“I wasn’t expecting to start a company, but as Cheryl was deciding whether to come back from Toronto to start a firm or to move to New York, we decided together to start the firm,” says Bonini, “We shared the same values and goals not only in design, but in working styles, so the fit was natural.”
The firm specializes in projects ranging from high-rise and low-rise residential to townhomes and showrooms to private residences. She attributes KPU for preparing her as a design thinker, which is why she employs some grads from the program.
“KPU grads are quite well rounded and great thinkers. The rigorous program prepares students for the fast pace of ‘real world’ design.”
Bonini has served as president of IDC and on the board of directors. She has also served as the vice-president communications at the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia and in a director position on the Interior Designers Continuing Education Council.
She says students should travel and meet people to become successful in the interior design industry. They should participate in volunteer activities, have friends in the same field and different ones in all age brackets. She says this not only rounds you out as a person but also as a designer.
“Only a small portion of what you do every day is ‘creative.’ Much of it has to do with business and working with different people. The way you handle it will contribute to your success.”
For more information about Wilson School of Design’s interior design program, visit http://www.kpu.ca/design/interior-design.
Story by Sucheta Singh