You Are More Than Your Portfolio: How to Talk About Yourself as a New Designer
As an interior design student, you’ve spent years building your portfolio. It’s tangible. It’s visual. It’s something you can point to and say, “I made this.”
So it’s natural to believe that your portfolio will do all the talking.
But here’s the truth we want you to understand early:
People don’t hire portfolios. They hire people.
Your portfolio opens the door. You are what moves the conversation forward.
Your Portfolio Is a Tool—Not Your Identity
A strong portfolio matters. It shows your skills, your design thinking, and your aesthetic sensibility. But it’s only one part of the picture.
When firms review portfolios, they’re asking questions like:
Can I see this person fitting into our team?
How do they think through problems?
Are they curious, communicative, and adaptable?
Do they care about the kind of work we do?
Your portfolio can’t answer those questions on its own. Your voice does.
Show Only the Work You’re Excited to Talk About
One of the most common mistakes we see from students is trying to show everything.
More is not better.
Instead:
Choose projects you genuinely enjoyed working on
Select work that aligns with the type of role you’re applying for
Let go of projects you’re not proud of—even if you think you “should” include them
If you’re applying to a workplace design firm, your hospitality studio project may not be doing you any favors. On the other hand, if i’s a great example of a research process or a way of thinking, or it provides a platform for you to tell a great story, then by all means, keep it. And most importantly, if a project drains your energy to explain, it will show.
If you’re excited about the work, the interviewer will feel it.
Tailor Your Portfolio to the Job (Yes, Every Time)
This takes extra effort—but it’s worth it.
Before an interview, review the job description and ask:
What kind of work does this firm do most?
What skills do they emphasize?
What values seem important to them?
Then edit your portfolio accordingly.
This doesn’t mean reinventing yourself. It means being intentional about which parts of your experience you highlight.
Think of your portfolio as a conversation starter, not a comprehensive archive.
You Don’t Need to Sound Perfect
Many students worry about saying the “right” thing in interviews. While we do recommend practicing and knowing your part, try to focus on making a human connection.
Here’s a secret: honesty is more compelling than perfection.
It’s okay to say:
“This project pushed me outside my comfort zone.”
“I struggled at first, but here’s what I learned.”
“If I were doing this again, I’d approach it differently.”
These moments show self-awareness and growth—and that’s a skill every firm values.
Practice Talking About Yourself (It Gets Easier)
Talking about your work—and yourself—takes practice. It’s not something you’re just supposed to know how to do.
Start small:
Practice explaining one project out loud
Time yourself (2–3 minutes is enough)
Focus on clarity, not perfection
Confidence doesn’t come before practice. It comes from it.
A Simple Next Step
If interviews or portfolio conversations feel intimidating, you’re not alone.
We’ve written about these challenges and provided some tips in our book, “The Brand of You”.
Chapter 3 helps you identify your strengths
Chapter 6 focuses on finding the right words to communicate them
Chapter 8 covers marketing, especially the 1-on-1 kind
Ultimately, a strong personal brand will help you show up as yourself—not just as your work.