Meet Bonnie Bohyeon Kim | Production Designer & Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bonnie Bohyeon Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bonnie Bohyeon, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Art was always there with me. It wasn’t something I discovered or decided, but it was just part of how I grew up. My parents always exposed me to different materials, objects, and mediums from a very young age, so curiosity and making things were just part of how I lived.

What shifted over time was the scale of what I wanted to create. I started with fine arts, sculpture, and installation, but I kept asking myself how I could make something that other people could actually step inside and feel. That question led me toward spatial design, and once I found it, everything clicked. It wasn’t just about making something beautiful to look at. It was about creating an experience and memory that someone carries with them. I also think I was drawn to this field because it’s never just one thing. It is a beautiful harmony from light, material, storytelling. I’ve always worked across different mediums, and spatial design is the one place where all of them can live together.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art was always there with me. I grew up in a very artistic environment thanks to my parents, who made me play with objects and explore since I was 2 years old. I was always drawn to shapes, materials, texture, and multi-sensory experiences.

My work spans across film production, sculpture, printmaking, and video. What defines me is my multidisciplinary approach and my love for travel, which has always pushed me to explore new worlds, immerse myself in different cultures, and find new artistic inspiration. When I was 21, I took a month-long solo road trip, about 9,000 miles across six states, visiting around 25 national and state parks, constantly photographing landscapes, which really developed my eye for composition, lighting, and atmosphere. Even before that, I spent a month in Toronto by myself, finishing over 100 rolls of film just walking around the city, meeting new people, and immersing myself in a new culture and environment. Those experiences really shaped how I approach design, helping me grow as a production designer and art director by giving me a clear vision of how I want a space to be experienced and what I want to capture within it.

It wasn’t a smooth road. There were many struggles and moments no one saw. I sometimes doubted whether I had chosen the right path, however, the support from my family really gave me the confidence to keep going, which feels like an adventure.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, I’d take them to all the places that I’ve visited in California during my month-long road trip. We’d start with a home cooked meal together and will get some snacks from Porto’s Bakery, which is my favorite food spot in LA. I’d like to take them to Big Sur, driving along that coastline and stopping at every view point that takes your breath away, then Yosemite National Park, and Death Valley National Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ananth Ashok, a beautiful singer.

Website: https://bonnie-kim.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_bonnie_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniebohyeonkim/