Top kitchen designer skills needed to get the job.

Hi, I live in Florida in the Tampa Bay area and am graduating in May from a NKBA endorsed Kitchen and Bath program. However, it is very hard to find internships out here. I have even applied to home Depot and Lowe's. But every other kitchen and bath company says theyre small and recommends you to another. Noone wants to assist new people coming out in the industry. I understand too that the economy is not very good here right now and homebuilding and remodeling is at a standstill but its really difficult. Im even offering to do an unpaid internship just to learn the ropes. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

hi everybody.. I came to this site accidentally and I was happy to find a lot of your kitchen designers. I have newly established a business in my country to import and sell kitchen cabinets. But I do have a lot of challenges that it is really worrying me a lot. please if there is anyone willing to give me advise whom I can talk to pls contact me at feven_b@yahoo.com. oh and I was planning to buy 2020 is it hard to use??

sorry another question again. are there any sites where they have very active open forums on kitchen designs and similar topic. please tell me some

In response to the following: It is unfortunate that your vision of a Home Depot designer is what you have stated. Most of us have experience relative to real life design scenarios, education and backgrounds that lend themselves to the very designs that are created on a day-to-day basis. In addition, EXPO is not necessarily a higher caliber store (as I have worked in both environments). It carries "higher-end" merchandise, but the quality of designer is not necessary better than that of Home Depot. It is a person like you who gives Home Depot and myself a poor reputation. In any case, it is highly suggested to ask that designer what his/her experience has been or request to view a portfolio from that designer.

Vore in Garden City, New York said: Home Depot has a bad reputation at least in NYC because of the inexperienced designers/installation teams they put together.

The salary they offer to designers is so bad anyone with any experience will not take the jobs they offer. "Home Depot Expo" is a higher caliber store but I've heard some bad reports because of the way they handle their designers and again they don't know how to install kitchens. They sub out all the work to laborers who put in the lowest bid.

As far as the cabinetry goes, their not bad at all. They have a complete line up of contractor cabinets and low to high end lines as well. It's not the cabinets...it's the Home Depot service

meechika1 in Cambridge, Massachusetts said: In response to the following: It is unfortunate that your vision of a Home Depot designer is what you have stated. Most of us have experience relative to real life design scenarios, education and backgrounds that lend themselves to the very designs that are created on a day-to-day basis. In addition, EXPO is not necessarily a higher caliber store (as I have worked in both environments). It carries "higher-end" merchandise, but the quality of designer is not necessary better than that of Home Depot. It is a person like you who gives Home Depot and myself a poor reputation. In any case, it is highly suggested to ask that designer what his/her experience has been or request to view a portfolio from that designer.

It's a person like me that gives Home Depot a bad rep?....They don't need just me to do that. You may have the best of intentions as a designer but installing and ordering cabinets usually (and I say usually) leave Home Depot as one of the worst sources for professional remodeling.

In NYC Home Depot has fired all the good sub contractors that install kitchens and hire the lowest bid group that usually have no experience in the field. As bad as Home Depot was it's now worse.

Do an independent study of how many customers are unhappy.

[QUOTE In any case, it is highly suggested to ask that designer what his/her experience has been or request to view a portfolio from that designer.

Additionally, That designer (Me) has been designing kitchens and bathrooms for over 30 years. My portfolio?....that's pretty funny how much time do you have? AND..I know Home Depot....

Anyone interest to mix pleasure with business? We would like to have a volunteer to come here help us trian our kitchen designers and help set up our companies system. We need a kitchen designer with more than 10 years experience in the areas of managing and designing kitchen who can use 2020 technologies to come to Ethiopia. We would provide free flight ticket, accomodation and allowance for food with small pay to get you going. come and experience life in africa for a few months while helping business in africa succeed. It would be a great and rewarding challenge. contact me at feven_B@yahoo.com

Vore in Bronx, New York said: [QUOTE In any case, it is highly suggested to ask that designer what his/her experience has been or request to view a portfolio from that designer.

Additionally, That designer (Me) has been designing kitchens and bathrooms for over 30 years. My portfolio?....that's pretty funny how much time do you have? AND..I know Home Depot....

I wouldn't have needed to see where you are from to know instinctively. Your responses are rude and condescending. You are one of the reasons that the rest of the world thinks Americans are horrible people. And,... who cares about your portfolio....can you design a functional kitchen for ANYONE....I can!

Be nice and good at what you do and say,
non-certified kitchen and bath design extraordinare...stephanie

number1insd in Rapid City, South Dakota said: I wouldn't have needed to see where you are from to know instinctively. Your responses are rude and condescending. You are one of the reasons that the rest of the world thinks Americans are horrible people. And,... who cares about your portfolio....can you design a functional kitchen for ANYONE....I can!

Be nice and good at what you do and say,
non-certified kitchen and bath design extraordinare...stephanie

And I take it people where your from do not read the full expanse of comments and suggestions made by me and others in this forum. The cold in SD must affect brain cells. I was responding to a member who asked about my portfolio.

I don't want to get this to be a personal attack forum so play nice. And I'm sure you are a wonderful and competent designer although good designers don't have to shout about it.

I didn't mean to come off rude and condescending. Also, I am not originally from Cambridge, MA. At any rate, I felt the urge to "stick up" for those who work at Home Depot. As I had worked there in the past, I was privy to what people had thought and said, and felt horrible for the designers who were trying their best every day only to be completely berated by outsiders who were not familiar with Home Depot's practices. That is all! Thanks!

the problem is that we are not identifying our backgrounds. there are also different levels and styles of the kitchen design to be considered in this conversation.

designers in home depot are good for the product they sell. most of them can't even hand draw a perspective and have little of education or experience. they use computer software as the only tool and therefore limited to its limitations.

condescending is a part of confidence and experience, nothing wrong with that as long as you can support your superiority. problem is you can't grade it on the forum.

Limitations are not only for inexperienced designers for past 11 years i design and sell only contemporary german kitchens and probably know about it a lot more than average designer, but...............i do not have a clue how to properly design traditional kitchen with all those moldings, bead-boards and columns. not that i want or need to. :)

1. COMMUNICATION!!!
2. Thinking like an installer
3. Customer follow up skills

Selling over 3600+ kitchen designs you will and always have problems that are out of the designers control. Shipping damage, contractors changing the room measurements after design has been ordered etc. It is the emphatic approach how the designer handles the clients needs and is able to rectify problems quickly and effienctly that will gain trust, recognition and most important referrals and repeat sales.

culinablu in Chicago, Illinois said: 20/20?
It is not originally from Canada, but from Holland.
It is ok for North American firewood cabinets and Homo Depo, but not for European Kitchen Lines.
For European lines try Carat or Planit.

Actually 20/20 originated in France and that is why it is a Canadian based Co in Quebec , 20/20 when applied with the right tools will do 99% of all the kitchen design and programing , the onlything I do not like about them is their annual fee .....

It's a person like me that gives Home Depot a bad rep?....They don't need just me to do that. You may have the best of intentions as a designer but installing and ordering cabinets usually (and I say usually) leave Home Depot as one of the worst sources for professional remodeling.

In NYC Home Depot has fired all the good sub contractors that install kitchens and hire the lowest bid group that usually have no experience in the field. As bad as Home Depot was it's now worse.

Do an independent study of how many customers are unhappy.

People are more inclined to take the time to do a public review when they are unhappy. Evidently, the installer issue varies state to state. We use same installers for all kitchens. We work closely with the customer as a unit. I absolutely love my job. Kitchen design is a highly stressful job. It's such a personal thing for the customer - the most important room in the house! You'll find that there are some people who will never be happy, regardless of how smooth the job goes or WHO YOU WORK FOR. It's a huge undertaking. You are designing a two dimensional room on a computer. There are usually cabinets present when the kitchen is measured. That often poses "surprises" for the installer when removed. The big box stores are an easy target for attack and the because of their stature - usually the first to show up in google when searching. As far as pay goes, you can make a great wage as a Home Depot specialist if you do your job, and unless you land a high-profile designing position, I doubt you'll be able to beat the benefits. As a Home Depot kitchen designer, I have a huge company who has my back WHEN I mess up (guaranteed.. sooner or later you will mess up) and customers start screaming because they have to wait for a piece of molding. It's the "C" word - compensation - a word you'll grow to despise. I wish you the best of luck where ever you end up. Have fun with your customers and you'll have a great career.

pheobe in Ethiopia said: hi everybody.. I came to this site accidentally and I was happy to find a lot of your kitchen designers. I have newly established a business in my country to import and sell kitchen cabinets. But I do have a lot of challenges that it is really worrying me a lot. please if there is anyone willing to give me advise whom I can talk to pls contact me at feven_b@yahoo.com. oh and I was planning to buy 2020 is it hard to use??

Hi Phoebe,

I am a designer with 15 years experience in the industry. 20/20 takes some time to learn and you must be trained on it. The training and the software are quite expensive. You must pay for the yearly license and also each manufacturers catalogue. Overall you will pay about $5,000 the first year and maybe $500-$1,000 per year there after. Mostly it needs maintenance and updates.

I don't think you will need a computer design program to start. You can sell very well with hand drawings and floor plans. When you have built your business, then invest in a design software.

Best of luck to you.

Carla

We are looking for a qualified Kitchen and Bath Designer to work in
a large showroom in the Bronx, NY. You must have at least 5 years of experience in a showroom or big box store. A construction background and/or knowledge is also needed. Contact me at
carlamdesigns@yahoo.com if you are interested. There is great potential to build a huge customer base. This store gets many leads and contractor business in a bustling area of New York

Carla M in Manville, New Jersey said: Hi Phoebe,

I am a designer with 15 years experience in the industry. 20/20 takes some time to learn and you must be trained on it. The training and the software are quite expensive. You must pay for the yearly license and also each manufacturers catalogue. Overall you will pay about $5,000 the first year and maybe $500-$1,000 per year there after. Mostly it needs maintenance and updates.

I don't think you will need a computer design program to start. You can sell very well with hand drawings and floor plans. When you have built your business, then invest in a design software.

Best of luck to you.

Carla

Hi Phoebe,
I agree with Carla. 20/20 is a great program but it's expensive. They also charge a yearly fee to keep you updated on the software and new features and improvements. There are many kitchen design programs out there that are very inexpensive compared to 20/20. They can even be downloaded from the internet and have an introductory time frame to see if you like the product. Google "kitchen design software" and see what come up.

I use 20/20 for presentations. I then hand draw the plans and elevations as the final documentation.

Best of luck.

Oh and Carla...Am I a fool without a mind or have I merely been to blind to realize. (lol)

hi

I am a designer kitchen cabinets
And we live in
I have 10 years experience
Because I live in America
I need to work in America
Please click mile

i need to work i m not give jop

I HAVE FOUND IT VERY HARD TO FIND A JOB EITHER MANAGING OR EVEN DESIGNING NEW KITCHENS OR BATHROOMS. WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE YOU MIGHT THINK IT WOULD BE EASY.I LOVED MY WORK,BUT NOW I AM GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED AND ABOUT READY TO GIVE UP.
ANY SUGGESTIONS?

sadly you share the same situation as thousands of USA across the country , economy is picking up very slowly , hang in there because you have experience and people that will be looking for kitchen will want experienced designer. are you NKBA mewmbeer if not you might want to joint , together we will prevail .
All the best Joel

Steve don't give up,the economy has not been kind to our industry,it is picking up slowly, then Customers will need experienced Designer , they found out the hard way the value of the Dollar. Are you a member of the NKBA , you might want to consider it , together we will prevail, just don't give up , several of my Friends actually have done jobs via Craiglist and Ebay.You might also want to consider the big boxes , I work for Home Depot the salary does not pay for a Ferrari , it keep you from getting rusted and you have the backing of billions dollars , as an add on they have geat health benefit , sometimes cash money has less value than the package deal, when you do look at it fairly and closely they have merchandise most independent cannot touch , price and benefit for the customer . Joel

Darn I thought the post did not go thru

I am currently a designer at home depot, perhaps try applying there.its a great outlet.

Steve, have you tried to attach your self to remodeling crews/companies as an independent designer for a kitchen/bath/etc part of the project? Have you thought of going as rep for some of the kitchen manufacturers?

fev in Ethiopia said: Anyone interest to mix pleasure with business? We would like to have a volunteer to come here help us trian our kitchen designers and help set up our companies system. We need a kitchen designer with more than 10 years experience in the areas of managing and designing kitchen who can use 2020 technologies to come to Ethiopia. We would provide free flight ticket, accomodation and allowance for food with small pay to get you going. come and experience life in africa for a few months while helping business in africa succeed. It would be a great and rewarding challenge. contact me at feven_B@yahoo.com

Please tell me more,I have some spare time and over 30 years experience.
oney2822@yahoo.com

STEVE in Contoocook, New Hampshire said: Please tell me more,I have some spare time and over 30 years experience.
oney2822@yahoo.com

Please..who ever responds to out of country employment please please please check out the company throughly. Nothing personal to the original poster but asking for help to train designers in Ethiopia is a bit strange. A full accounting of the company including phone calls and a letter to diplomatic agencies and the state department should be followed up on.

Well, if you're a kitchen designer and need to have a top exposure I found this when searching for a certified kitchen designer www.certifiedkitchendesigner.com.
I'm about bombed out looking for a designer that can give me what I want not what "they" want to see in my home.
It seems all the big box designers only know how to show you their industry made cabinets they sell in their showrooms....not a real trained and experienced kitchen designer that understand space planning and functionality.
I've also run into this experience in two design centers that want to sell me their showroom cabinets and not what I want.
Help!

this doesn't make sense.
what's the alternative? work with independent designer that still will have to use one or the other kitchen cabinetry line or completely custom cabinet maker? adding another mouth to feed on your project? if you have bad experience with a designer that has no clue about planning space and flow then hire a well known architect as an authority.
Or, buy German made cabinetry which will cover your functionality part and influence your planning a bit.
:)

cindy in Commerce, Georgia said: Well, if you're a kitchen designer and need to have a top exposure I found this when searching for a certified kitchen designer www.certifiedkitchendesigner.com .
I'm about bombed out looking for a designer that can give me what I want not what "they" want to see in my home.
It seems all the big box designers only know how to show you their industry made cabinets they sell in their showrooms....not a real trained and experienced kitchen designer that understand space planning and functionality.
I've also run into this experience in two design centers that want to sell me their showroom cabinets and not what I want.
Help!

Thanks for your comments. My husband is and architect and both he and our cabinet maker will be the first to say that architects are terrible kitchen designers...no pun intended.
We resolved my issues today with me showing him pics, our friend the cabinet maker here with us and my hubby going to draft the construction plans for the cabinet maker.
So, now I'm going to get the kitchen I need and want to cook in and feed him and our brood of daughters happy meals for them!!!

mijoka in Sunnyvale, California said: Actually 20/20 originated in France and that is why it is a Canadian based Co in Quebec , 20/20 when applied with the right tools will do 99% of all the kitchen design and programing , the onlything I do not like about them is their annual fee .....

yes

non-certified kitchen and bath design
ROFL. Certification means nothing without talent and experience.

Certification ? they are meaningless , the prove your affiliation to ether NKBA or Decorators , they remind me of the 2 political party running our country , or the African dictators with enough medals on their chest to stop an RPG , but , no proof of talent .................I will recognized a certiofication when it is issued by a State , anything else is simply an affiliation with expensive menbership, an excuse tom pad the billsn , do our Customer care? truth is notb .

you needA NOT BE AFRAIDA PEOPLE.

Hey Joel in Hayward, CA.,
I have a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, a Certification in Interior Design (CID), am a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) and CAPS (Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist) and I challenge you to present to me any space that you think cannot be made more beautiful and efficient by me. Who are you and where do you come by your negative perception relating to people like me? You failed the certification exam, didn't you.

Hey Joel in Hayward, CA.,
I have a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, a Certification in Interior Design (CID), am a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) and CAPS (Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist) and I challenge you to present to me any space that you think cannot be made more beautiful and efficient by me. Who are you and where do you come by your negative perception relating to people like me? You failed the certification exam, didn't you?

Lisa, to be honest I kind of agree with Joel. With all due respect all those degree and certifications do not mean a lot for example in high end contemporary kitchen and bath design. It is your design and field experience, solution creating and conflict resolving abilities what counts. Most important can you close the tough sale, can your resolve installation, mechanical issues in the field, can you come up with solutions if there is a mistake in order or build out without reordering or extra spending.
Can you collect last check from client.

I do respect Lisa for having worked hard to get all the certification after getting her Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, but you will have to agree with this last reply by CULINABLU. I know many people who are not certified, and who are the best of the best in their field. I think, the best designers are the ones with a lot of passion, great people skills and the one who can fix issues and problems not necessarily having a CKD, CMKBD, CID OR LEED certified.... etc. I like the last one, can you collect the last check from a client, all of us in this field, we know there are hiccups in any job, but if we can work harder in advance, so that we could minimize those uncessary issues.

I was helping somebody could help me with a question I have. In general, does any designer have any suggestions on how to better handle customer issues? From damaged cabinets, to delayed installation, to installation mishaps, I am having a tough time dealing with things that are out of my control. Can anyone offer me a way to deal with these kind of situations better so that I don't feel like I am having a panic attack when these sorts of situations arise? (I.E. what to say to a customer, how to handle speaking to the installers, etc.)

Before getting into your specif question ,
there is a webb site I strongly recommend you to go to . Alexander Kjeruff " 5 top reasons why "customer is always right "is wrong it is self explanatory please read it , as you are in business to design and sell kitchen not a massage parlor with G string and red light.

Delayed installation , start with a sound contract with your contractor to include compensating your customer for every day they are late, this will keep them from running around , no one can control the elements not the condition of the building you are putting that new kitchen , do not start work until permits have been pulled and all the material on site the contactor will have no excuses .
We have all experienced delayed install , there are several reason most can be justified , my own neighbor replaced their window with last generation of double insulated glass, not a big house usually a 3 day job , upon removing the trim they found dry rot , kept on going to finally remove 2 sides of the house , plaster and lathe and the stucco kept the house together.it lasted 6 month plus . no difference with dry rot at the sink , by the way how many of you request the installer to put a menbrane under new sink cabinet I do.

Damaged cabinet is very frequent , your vendor should be able to assist you by replacing it within a couples weeks if they cannot , you need a new vendor .
No one can expect cabinet to be shipped and recieved in perfect condition some cabinets damage are irrelevant to their structure ,sometine it's on the side , or the back and can't be seen in anyway shape or form ,a good installer can deal with it , as far as the customer explain and or give them a deal "that you first clear with your vendor drawer accesory cheaper than sending another cabinet" there are great freight company with 1 bad apple out of your control will ruin the delivery , don't take it personal you did not loadv the cabinet on your vehicle haul them across the country ,got a bunch of "great"guy dmping them in a warehouse , then got another friend to deliver them. You are responsable for the design , you are not a freight dispatcher , truck driver , warehouse employee and delivery.
You are a Designer at their mercy just like your Customer, But do raise hell with them they need your business .

Transportation in US sucks and everyone knows it. So, damaged cabinets is a part of the process. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. I loved when we had to put in one of the contracts clause "Act of God".
As Joel says, minor damage to exterior back or side is usually no big deal if you do not have an idiot installer on site. Clients do make right decision when presented with alternative. It is a game of who blinks first. You want your money and they want project to go on. Most important is to cover your cost of cabinetry with delivery check. Remember, once the cabinets brought to the client's property they own them.
To avoid installation mishaps do not assume that installer will know what you drew or understand computer generated terminology or make right decision when in question. Keep your installation drawings clean, uncluttered because installers do not like to read fine print or generic texts. Almost all installation mistakes originated in order or design.