At AZ INTERIORS Design, we receive countless emails from enthusiastic interior design students and new graduates, all eager to take their first steps into the design world. And we understand why. Landing that very first job in interior design can feel like the hardest part of the journey.
Alicia Zimnickas with interior design students
Having run a successful, award-winning interior design studio in Cambridge for many years, I’ve learned exactly what employers look for when bringing young designers into the industry. So today, I’m sharing my best advice to help you launch your career with confidence.
Your portfolio is your most powerful tool. A recruiter wants to see more than just coursework - they want proof that you can design for real people, with real challenges and real constraints. But what if you’ve never worked on a real project? The good news is that everyone starts somewhere - and your first experience can be closer to home than you think. Start small by taking on informal projects such as:
Redesigning a room in your parents’ home.
Helping a friend refresh a workspace.
Offering design ideas for a neighbour’s bathroom renovation.
Volunteering your skills for a local community project.
These projects may seem simple, but they show initiative, communication skills, and practical problem solving - the qualities clients and design studios value most. Experience doesn’t always come from paid design jobs - sometimes it comes from being brave enough to ask, “Can I help?”.
The reality is: your first role in an interior design company may not involve designing right away. You might: organise materials in the sample library, assist with daily admin tasks, help with social media or photo shoots, and shadow designers on site visits. This is perfectly normal - and extremely valuable. Every small task gives you a deeper understanding of how the design industry works. And once you’ve proven yourself, those responsibilities grow. Use your university holidays, evenings, or summer breaks to gain experience. The more you say “yes” to new opportunities, the faster doors will open.
Interior design is a highly competitive industry, and talent is only part of the equation. Employers look for designers who demonstrate a strong willingness to learn, a proactive mindset, reliability and professionalism, as well as curiosity and creative thinking. Employers look for junior designers who don’t wait to be told what to do, but instead show initiative and genuine enthusiasm for the craft.
Connect with design studios in your area - and not just once. Follow their work online, engage with their projects, attend open days and industry events. Introduce yourself, ask thoughtful questions, and make an effort to stay visible. Sometimes the right opportunity appears simply because you made the effort to show up.
Everyone in interior design started exactly where you are now - inexperienced, passionate, and determined. Don’t let fear stop you from trying. Take every opportunity, keep building your portfolio, stay curious and humble, and find your “foot in the door” - it can lead somewhere amazing.
At AZ INTERIORS, we love seeing young designers grow into confident professionals. Keep learning, keep pushing, and one day you’ll look back and realise that your “first project” was the beginning of everything.