Liz Nandee, 2026 Alumni Excellence Award recipient and founder of Basic Black Designs Inc., graduated from the Interior Decorating Diploma in 2001.
“It was more than just a place of learning—it was a turning point where my possibilities began to form, where my confidence started to grow,” she shared in her acceptance speech at the inaugural Bow Valley College Alumni Awards on May 20, 2026. “Where I started to understand that design wasn’t just something I loved and was good at, it was something I could build a life around that allowed me to explore who I was, creatively and professionally.”
Liz didn’t follow a traditional path—she created one. To some, starting a design business seemed unattainable.
“Design wasn't something that my family thought would be a great career, because it's a luxury,” she says.
That uncertainty extended beyond others’ expectations. She wasn’t always sure design was the right path.
Finding her voice
As a child, she was shy and lacked confidence: “A lot of people said, ‘Something's wrong with that girl. She doesn't talk.’”
Arriving at Bow Valley College marked a shift in how she saw herself and her future.
“I was so nervous about if this was actually my career path and what I was going to be doing for the rest of my life, and the instructors helped me to define that this is actually what I was supposed to do,” she says. “Coming here helped me vocalize everything that I wanted to do and helped me be more confident in my endeavors.”
Her instructors validated her—something she saw clearly during her first assignment in Sally Ritchie’s class. While many students presented cream, white and beige design boards, Liz brought forward a concept in gold, red and black.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god, did I get the project wrong? Did I not listen clearly?’ And I was really scared to discuss my design board,” she says. “And Sally turned to me and said, ‘You have a really unique way of looking at colour.’ That meant a lot to me.”
Her instructor later offered her an internship. Through that experience, Liz began to recognize that her perspective had value.
In the classroom, she thrived in a hands-on, project-based environment where she could experiment with colour, light, proportion and scale in real life.
“Bow Valley College helped me transform my passion into a purposeful career path,” she says. “It gave me the skills, confidence and vision to not only enter the industry, but to carve out my own space within it. I was able to explore different areas of design to pursue work in set design, prop styling and creative production.”
Liz developed a strong work ethic and adaptability through collaboration and real-world learning—experiences that mirrored industry environments and prepared her to handle pressure, think quickly and problem-solve on the spot.
Most importantly, she gained confidence in her creative voice, in herself as a design professional and as an entrepreneur, and in the belief that her “crazy ideas” were worth pursuing. After graduating, she felt prepared to enter the industry and carve out her niche.
Creating opportunities
When Oprah Winfrey was scheduled to speak in Calgary, Liz didn’t wait for the opportunity. Instead, she got to work—making calls, knocking on doors and requesting meetings until one producer agreed to meet with her. After hearing Liz’s vision and seeing her work, the team offered her a set design contract for Oprah’s Canadian tour.
“While securing the contract for Oprah was an incredible and unforgettable highlight in my career, my most meaningful professional breakthrough goes deeper than any high-profile project,” she says. “It was a moment I realized that my perspective, my design voice and my approach to storytelling through spaces had real value.”
When Liz approaches a set design, she considers both the audience’s experience and the speaker’s comfort and personality. This has made her a leader in her field and led to opportunities to work with high-profile figures like the Obamas and the Kardashians.
“Design isn’t just about creating something visually appealing; it’s about telling a very specific story that aligns with a person’s identity, message and audience,” she says. “Whether the story is about empowerment, legacy or brand identity, the goal is always to create something that resonates emotionally and feels true to the subject.”
“That's one of the reasons why Liz is as successful as she is—she's never stuck to the straight and narrow,” says Ryan Hetherington-Keys, a visual producer at Bow Valley College who has collaborated with Liz for more than 15 years. “She's always been bold and adventurous. That's really paid off for her in not only interior design but set decoration and styling and wardrobe for film and television.”
Her work has been featured internationally in more than 50magazines. As someone born and raised in Calgary, she highlights the city on the global stage, bringing Calgary artisans into spaces seen around the world.
“This city is where I was shaped, where I built my foundation and where I first found my voice,” she says. “So as my work has grown globally, it’s always been important to bring that foundation with me.”
Receiving the Alumni Excellence Award marks a full-circle moment. From a student once unsure of her path to a designer working on a global stage, Liz’s journey reflects what’s possible through creativity, persistence and belief in oneself.
“If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that creativity has the power to transform not only spaces, but people, communities and possibilities,” she stated in her acceptance speech.
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