Keep Doing What We're Doing

Ashley Giroux
Graduate in Interior Architecture and Product Design

Hi, everybody. Welcome to all families and friends who have traveled here to be with their graduates today. And congratulations to all graduates… for waking up before noon!

When we came to orientation five years ago, IAPD’s graduating class job placement was 98%. This year? Ummm… let’s just say it’s not 98%. I’m not going to lie to you all and say I’m not worried about what’s next-honestly, there’s little that I don’t worry about. But here’s why I don’t think you should worry about it.

We have already overcome SO many obstacles: Seaton Court, BCSIA, computer renderings during an ice storm, theory of product design, or even waking up in studio with bass wood pieces glued to our face by a fellow student. … And even in spite of all these suboptimal situations, we are here now, with cap, gown and hood-in all our glory-having made it through together.

You all in front of me are already immensely successful at what you do. Your personalities, your style, your quirks are all evident throughout your every design. One could pin-up a project from all 32 of us, and I bet we could easily figure out whose is whose. Your work is a part of each of you.

I say: Let’s just keep doing what we’re doing. Whatever we’ve been doing has gotten us this far. And people tell me that graduation is a big deal, so we’ll go with that. I say: Never forget those who’ve helped and inspired you along the way. In my case: my Mom and Dad and brother. We certainly can’t take all the credit. And I say: continue being unusual.

Sooooo what if that 98% job placement has plummeted? Let us forget about everything else and rejoice in our accomplishments. Congratulations Interior Architecture and Product Design Class of 2009; and may the very best be with you always.