Corey Klassen
Creative Director and Founder of Articulated Design Studio
For nearly 20 years, Corey has applied an evidence-based and holistic approach accomplishing meaningful interior design solutions for homeowners, business owners, design students, and corporate brands.
As an expert in the interior design field, Corey has both won and judged major design completions in Canada and the U.S.; most notably taking 1st Place, Small Kitchen at KBIS in Las Vegas.
Corey’s design work has been featured a lot in publications such as in Gray Magazine, Architectural Record, NKBA Magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design Business, West Coast Homes & Living, Reno & Decor, plus I have been a go-to industry source at the Globe & Mail, Wall Street Journal, Better Homes & Gardens, and Cosmopolitan to name a few.
Corey is non-binary and use the pronouns he/they — but if you don’t get it right away, it’s okay because at least you’re trying.
They are also an advocate for accessible and inclusively designed spaces after learning from lived experiences and a painful physical injury in 2015. Most notably Corey is a Content Coordinator for the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines with Support Spaces & Accessibility, 4th edition and a Professor in the Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design program at LaSalle College Vancouver.
Accreditations
Biography
After an internship in high school at Cortinage Architects in Winnipeg, Corey was inspired by the creative process earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at the School of Art, University of Manitoba. Later, they studied both interior design and kitchen and bath design at the NKBA-Accredited Vancouver Community College being awarded Outstanding Young Alumnus with Distinction. Now, Corey holds four distinguished industry certifications, exceeding all their peers.
Corey has presented and spoken at KBIS, IDS Toronto, IDS Vancouver, and at local chapter events for dozens of years on the same quantity of topics (if not more) and regularly prepared continuing education units for brands such as BLANCO, DXV, and the NKBA. They have been a Chapter Officer for the NKBA British Columbia Chapter and started the regions design competition (now know as the DEA’s), judged Best of KBIS in New Orleans and various other industry design awards. Design community contributions include BLANCO Design Council, Brizo Blogger19, BlogTour by Modenus, and Perlick Design Council, but the most noteworthy experience has been apart of the inaugural DXV Design Panel.
As a qualified interior designer, Corey is most inspired by something they call “Sustainable Pragmatism”, meaning acting as a deeply responsible professional on integrating the simplicity and honesty of materials, patterns, and more while trying to avoid irresponsible renovations and wasteful contributions to our environment, community and industry. Geometric patterns, natural materials, and the bold use of colour are all approachable aesthetic features of a signature style.
When not at the drafting board, newlyweds Corey and Andrew enjoy exploring Western Canada and travel through the East Kootenays, Elk Valley, Alberta foothills and the prairies quite frequently. Corey is an enthusiastic road cyclist and is passionate about BC’s annual Tour de Cure by fundraising to complete a 200 km ride in advocacy of cancer research and care. Cancer does not discriminate and it does not care about who you are or where you came from, proving to be a perfect and inclusive fit.
Corey is also available for:
01 — Accessibility consulting
Residential developers and housing organizations often require outside consultants during the design and planning stages to ensure that they meet and exceed code-compliance in planning, finish selections, and arrangements. Consultations are negotiated together.
02 — SME product development
Brands with products that need recommendations, research, or further development into inclusivity, colour, or access seek me out to prepare written briefs and white papers for publication. These may be article based and collaborative, being published on the organizations public forums and blogs.
03 — Public speaking engagements
I am available to be sponsored for customized speaking engagements to the architecture & design community for trade show events, networking events, chapter meetings, and private events such as wellness design, sustainable design, accessible design, inclusive design, and so much more.
Professional qualifications
01 — Academics
Faculty, Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design Program, LaSalle College of Vancouver - 2023 to Current
Instructor, National Kitchen & Bath Association - 2015 to Current
Adjunct Faculty, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design - 2019 to 2023
Adjunct Faculty, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program (NKBA Accredited), Vancouver Community College, 2012 - 2017 (program terminus)
02 — Education
Diploma (Hons.), Kitchen & Bath Design, Vancouver Community College
Combined the Interior Design Certificate and Kitchen & Bath Design Certificate Programs
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), School of Art, University of Manitoba
03 — Certificaitons
NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer, CIDQ - 2022 to Current
Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD), NKBA - 2016 to Current
Preceded by Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD, 2013), Certified Bath Designer (CBD, 2014), Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD, 2011)
Professional Educator, International Interior Design Association (IIDA) - 2018 to Current
Accredited Member, Designers & Decorators Association of Canada (DDA) - 2008 to Current
04 — Research + Textbooks
Content Coordinator, NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines with Support Spaces & Accessibility, 4th Edition - 2022
Peer Reviewer, NKBA’s Professional Resource Library - 2012 to 2013
05 — Post-Secondary Academics + Courses Taught
Corey teaches an immersive and expansive curriculum in post-secondary institutions and associations that include space planning, kitchen and bath design, capstone studio, construction documents, and professional practices. They currently instruct at the National Kitchen & Bath Association and in Vancouver-based interior design diploma and bachelor-degree programs.
ID240 Corporate Design, Interior Design Diploma Program, LaSalle College Vancouver
IDS220 Commercial Design II (Corporate), Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design, LaSalle College Vancouver
C4500 Human Factors in Interior Design, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
ID10A Introduction to Interior Design, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
ID20C Space Planning, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
AR100 Architectural Design and Detailing, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
ID20A Studio, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
ID20D Professional Practices & Communication, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
AR300 Architectural Model Making, Interior Design Diploma Program, Visual College of Art & Design
INTD 2210 Advanced Kitchen & Bath Design, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program, Vancouver Community College
INTD 2010 Basic Bathroom Design, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program, Vancouver Community College
INTD 2110 Basic Kitchen Design, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program, Vancouver Community College
INTD 2011 Drafting 1, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program, Vancouver Community College
INTD 2111 Drafting 2, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program, Vancouver Community College
INTD 2211 Drafting 3, Kitchen & Bath Design Diploma Program, Vancouver Community College
CMPT 1701 SketchUp Level 1, Continuing Education, Vancouver Community College
CMPT 1702 SketchUp Level 2, Continuing Education, Vancouver Community College
CMPT 1703 SketchUp Advanced, Continuing Education, Vancouver Community College
06 — Available Continuing Education Courses
I prepare expertly prepared and branded CEU content for high-end brands. Using MS PowerPoint, I research and prepare content slideshows with images, illustrations, and a written facilitator manual following the recommended formats for IDCEC and NKBA CEU submission.
Identifying Inclusive Design, 2023
Accessible Kitchens & Baths: A Practical Way of Apply the New NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines, 2023
Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines - Part 1, Co-authored with Judith A. Neary, CMKBD, NKBA - 2022
Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines - Part 2, Co-authored with Judith A. Neary, CMKBD, NKBA - 2022
Color Integration in the Kitchen, BLANCO North America - 2022
The Kitchen Water Hub, BLANCO North America - 2021
Luxury Bath, LIXIL for DXV by American Standards - 2015
The Wellness Shift: Your Home Should Take Care if You, Not You of It, IDS Vancouver Mainstage
Beyond Design: Establishing Monetary Gain for Creative Value, Co-authored with Judith A. Neary, CMKBD
Steam Showers: Design Basics & Beyond, Voices from the Industry, KBIS
Rent My Brain, Reduce the Pain, Voices from the Industry, KBIS
07 — Leadership + Advocacy
Innovator, KBDN Magazine - 2022
Certification Re-Imagined, NKBA - 2021 to Current
Instructor of The Quarter, Visual College of Art and Design — Q2 2020
Chapter Representative, NKBA B.C. Chapter - 2013 to 2015
Certification Task Force, NKBA - 2012
Chair, NKBA B.C. Design Excellence Awards - 2011 to 2013
VP Professional Development, NKBA B.C. Chapter - 2010 to 2013
08 — Podcast Guest Appearances
A Well Designed Business Podcast with LuAnn Nigara
Ep. 170: CEU: Beyond Design-Establishing Monetary Value For Creative Skills
Ep. 206: The Most Important Tips For A Successful Interior Design Business
Ep. 233: Design Biz Live - Do This Self Assessment Of Your Skills
Ep. 246: Design Biz Live – Design Fees Based on Your Self Assessment
Ep. 254: Design Biz Live - How To Price Your Interior Design Services
Ep. 264: Design Biz Live - How To Manage Not Being The Project Manager
Ep. 326: Design Biz Live - Personality Traits, Pre-Consult Questionnaire, Contract Addendum
Ep. 399: Design Biz Live - Business Can Be Thunderstorms And Chickens; Hard Truths, Hard Lesson
Ep. 410: Design Biz Live - Business Can Be Thunderstorms And Chickens, Hard Lessons Part 2
Ep. 449: Design Biz LIve - What We Learned At LuAnn Nigara Live, It’s About The Conversation
Ep. 461: Design Biz Live - 5 Fatal Errors In Your Interior Design Business
Articles written by Corey
It’s often difficult for most people to identify their design style.