125\\ No Design Experience? Creative Ways to Build Your Interior Design Portfolio and Get Hired

"How can I show what I can do if no one gives me a chance?"

This is a question I often hear from young designers struggling to find paid internships or get clients to take a chance on them. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and can leave you feeling stuck. You know you have the passion and potential to succeed, but without experience, it feels like you’re standing at a locked door, waiting for someone to hand you the key.

Don’t worry—there are creative and practical ways to build your skills and portfolio!

In this episode, I’m sharing actionable strategies to help you gain the experience you need to stand out. From offering free design help to friends and family, to job shadowing, creating mock projects, and building vendor relationships, you’ll learn how to showcase your talent and make your mark as a designer.

You don’t need a fancy job to start building your portfolio—you just need the right plan! I also introduce you to my My Design Mentor program, where you can gain hands-on experience through sample projects, so you feel confident applying for jobs or starting your own business.

Whether you’re fresh out of school or transitioning into interior design, this episode is packed with advice to help you get scrappy, increase your knowledge, and build connections that will open doors. Tune in now and take the first step toward your dream design career!

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

• Discover resourceful ways to get hands-on experience and build your portfolio without a traditional job
• Develop the skills and confidence to showcase your talent and attract opportunities
• Get practical, actionable tips to build your network and use vendor relationships to your advantage

Check out the show notes >>> Creative Ways to Build Your Interior Design Portfolio and Get Hired

NEXT STEPS:

• Sign up for My Design Mentor to get an internship or sample project experience

Grab your freebies:

• The Remodel Budget and Timeline Guide
• Furnishings Investment Guide
• Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design
• 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career

Listen to Related Episode:

• Episode 05: The Do’s and Don’ts of Interior Design Internships

Email me at podcast@rwarddesign.com

DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign

Visit my website at rwarddesign.com

Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

Timestamps:

(0:00) Introduction: Creative Ways to Build Your Interior Design Portfolio and Get Hired

(01:23) Challenges Young Designers Face in Gaining Experience

(03:06) Gaining Experience Through Small Projects

(04:35) Internships and Job Shadowing

(07:09) Creating a Portfolio Without Clients  

(08:19) Building Vendor Relationships

(09:42) Online Learning & Volunteering

(11:56) Networking & Finding Opportunities