This design coordinator talks about her career, the challenges of earning her CKBD, and the perseverance that got her there.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Andrea Melkowski, CKBD, is proof that you can study for NKBA certification just about anywhere, at any time. A design coordinator with Lombardo Homes of St. Louis, a semi-custom builder in the O’Fallon, MO, area, she is also a hunter, and during downtime in the woods, often perched in a tree stand, she’d be on her phone studying for the exam.
She credits her dad for giving her career direction. “My interest in interior design began in high school, when I took an “Intro to Interior Design” class, which touched on color schemes and space planning. I’d always had a love for art and rearranging the furniture, and this class brought all those things from hobbies to an occupation. My father recognized the passion that I had and encouraged me to follow that interest. I received my Bachelor’s degree in interior design with a minor in architecture from Southeast Missouri State University in 2014 and have been designing ever since.”
She has been in the business for about 11 years and currently works in the architecture department at Lombardo. “From plan origination, review, and permitting to cabinet layouts and more, it’s great to be a part of the entire building process, to see how all the parts and pieces really work, and how to keep the wheels turning,” she said.
She started her career with an internship as a K&B designer at Buchheit, a local farm/lumber store, and then went full-time until joining Lombardo in early 2020. “I was with Lombardo, in a completely new role, for a couple of weeks when COVID-19 shut everything down and sent us all to work from home,” she recalled. “It was interesting, to say the least, and a huge learning curve to get more involved in the whole home process compared to the small niche of only kitchens and baths that I was used to. Almost five years later, I’ve taken on more responsibilities and I’m still learning every day.”
Melkowski talked about her drive to keep learning and aiming for certification.
What was your primary reason for pursuing your NKBA certification?
My primary reason to pursue the CKBD was to continue my education and broaden my horizons. I’ve always been eager to learn new things, especially anything that affects me every day. I actually began this entire process looking into receiving the NCIDQ certification. While discussing with one of my best friends from college, she asked if I had looked into receiving my CKBD instead. Knowing that we participated in the NKBA Student program and that I had been in the field since college, she suggested the NKBA certification would be a great first step.
Talk about the process… Would you do it again?
This process wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. I hadn’t spent a lot of dedicated study time on anything since graduating from college 10 years ago. It’s crazy how it seemed I had so much time back then compared to now. On multiple occasions, I fell asleep with my laptop or phone in hand while reading through the study materials! The most convenient part of it all was that I was studying for the exam portion during Missouri’s early bow season, which gave me a lot of down time. Much of my study time was accomplished on my phone while in a tree stand or blind, waiting for a big buck to stroll by.
It’s hard to say if I would do this again. It would definitely depend on where I am in life, and the time I had available to dedicate to it. I pursued this certification on my own account, not through my already 55+ hour job, so I sacrificed a lot of my usual time with friends and family that might not be possible if I was in a different place in life.
What was the most challenging part of the process?
The most challenging part of this process was understanding the requirements of and developing the portfolio to meet the NKBA standards. While I am involved in many aspects of the home and create detailed plans every day, my company doesn’t utilize the NKBA format. The software that I use in my daily kitchen and bath process does not offer the right tools and format that would qualify for the portfolio, so not only was I learning the NKBA way, but I was also learning a new CAD software, which was a huge obstacle for me. Luckily, I had help from a coworker who is a true AutoCAD wiz, and she stayed on call for my late nights and weekends throughout the entire process. Without her, I truly would not have made it through the portfolio portion of this certification.
What are some benefits of becoming certified?
I pursued the CKBD as a personal goal. I hope to get more involved in the local NKBA Chapter events, begin networking, and continue to learn all that I can about this industry, and hopefully this new achievement paves a great path for my career’s future. Right now, I am applying what I’ve learned in this process to my day-to-day designs. I hope to integrate more of the NKBA guidelines into our standard design practices to offer more universal spaces to our current clients.
What advice would you give designers who are considering certification?
My best advice for a designer studying for certification would be to research as much as you can about the process prior to submitting the application. Be prepared with the required documentation, photos at different stages of the build, for projects … I think the most difficult timeframe for me was the portfolio deadline right after the test. I had focused solely on preparing for the test, and when I got to the portfolio section, I did not have all of the documentation required. While we do have photos and paperwork on past and present projects, we did not have the necessary specifics. It was tough to find spaces that met the requirements along with a timeline that would allow for rough plumbing and electric photos and finish photos all prior to submission. Reach out to the NKBA team, ask questions, and understand as much as you can before submitting the application. This will only set you up for success.
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NKBA currently offers two levels of certification: The first is the CKBD (Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer), and the highest level is CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer). These prestigious appellations communicate expert knowledge, skills, training, and experience in kitchen and bath design. They help distinguish you as a professional and give you a competitive edge. To learn more about the Certification programs, click here.
