The designer, a member of the Thirty Under 30 Class of 2018, discusses the advantages of certification.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
For Kailee Klevan, lead designer with Beyond Kitchens in Rochester, MN, earning a CMKBD runs in the family.
Before pursuing a career in interior design, the designer, a member of NKBA’s prestigious Thirty Under 30 Class of 2018, shadowed her aunt, Betty Ravnik, CMKBD, an award-winning designer and interior design instructor in Alexandria, MN.
“She took me to her classroom, and then to her studio, where she showed me around and talked about her career and experience in the industry,” Klevan recalled. “I came out of that day incredibly motivated and knew I wanted to pursue a career in interior design. I attended NKBA-accredited Dakota County Technical College, and fell in love with kitchen and bath design.”
After graduating and starting work as a young designer, Klevan continued to be inspired by her aunt, so she explored the value of going through the certification process — from Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer to Certified K&B Designer to Certified Master K&B Designer. Within a few years, she advanced through all levels and recently earned her CMKBD.
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“I quickly realized earning a certification would expand my knowledge as a designer, assist in knowing how to better serve my clients and set myself apart from others in the industry,” she said. “Looking back at the opportunities and value those certifications have brought me, I would absolutely do it again.”
Klevan spoke about the practical application and benefits of her certification.
What are the major benefits of becoming certified?
The certifications I’ve received have taught me so much and helped me to implement better drafting standards and expand my knowledge of design components, including construction details, clearance requirements, and ADA standards. It has also given me an immense amount of credibility and I have used the knowledge I’ve obtained while studying for these certifications many times throughout my professional career. To me, it’s important to continue to grow and learn and becoming certified has played a big role in enhancing the quality of my designs and drawings.
What is the biggest leap from CKBD to CMKBD?
The biggest leap from the CKBD to CMKBD is the professional experience requirements as well as the drawing portfolio. You need fundamental knowledge and drafting skills for the CKBD, but the CMKBD is where you truly prove yourself as a professional known for your experience, achievements, and positive impact on your community. Your experience plays a huge role in qualifying for the certification. In addition, the portfolio review is significantly more in-depth than what was required for the CKBD. Instead of being given a scenario for which you have to create a floor plan, you take real-life projects and detail them into full-on construction document sets for six different types of projects you have designed and executed in real life.
How does it help you in your business and marketing endeavors?
Having a certification is one more thing you can use to set yourself apart from others, prove credibility, and show why clients should work with you. At Beyond Kitchens, we specialize in kitchen and bath design, so when clients hire us, they know they are getting the best of the best and someone who has been through all the extra training possible to be able to provide them with the best design possible. Showing clients that I’m not afraid to go the extra mile and have worked hard to earn this level of certification proves I am willing to go above and beyond to make sure their projects are successful as well.
What was the most challenging part of the process?
The most challenging part of the process is going to be different for everyone. For me, I was just coming off maternity leave, knowing I had a year to complete my certification and a lot of work ahead of me. The professional experience was there, but learning everything I needed to put together for the portfolio review was daunting at first. I tried to be as organized about the process as possible and gave myself small deadlines along the way to stay on track. Most people use Chief Architect, but I use 2020 Design Live, which requires a bit more manipulation to get drawings to accurately represent NKBA standards. Because I know the ins and outs of the program so well, I knew I could make it work even though that would mean it took longer to complete each drawing. Once I completed the first drawing set and had my drafting templates created, the remaining sets were not as daunting. I had to keep up with my day-to-day design work, so I spent many evenings at home after my kids went to bed working on drawings —sometimes falling asleep at my computer!
What advice would you give designers who are considering certification?
Don’t let the work that’s ahead of you intimidate you. It’s a huge accomplishment and honor to have a certification that will be something you can use and promote for years to come. You won’t regret it! Take it in small increments if you can, and try to map out a plan for completing the work. On top of being able to market yourself as a certified designer, you will grow professionally and obtain new practices to implement into your business to add significant value.
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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.
