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Build a career in Interior design
This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the interior design sector.
In this guide:
Interior designers use their creative and technical skills to work on a broad scope of projects. These can range from structural alterations to existing buildings to the choice of soft furnishings, fixtures and fittings working to a client’s remit.
Opportunities exist throughout the UK, with the main employers being design consultancies and architectural practices. Although designers are usually based in studios, there can be a lot of time spent on location as well - so the ability to be mobile and work flexibly is important. After building a reputation, many interior designers choose to become self-employed or work freelance.
Potential Job Roles
Within the interior design sector you could consider a number of occupations. Prospects has a useful list of job profiles each containing relevant information about key responsibilities, skill requirements, starting salaries, entry requirements, career prospects with links to major employers and current graduate vacancies.
Job roles within interior design include:
Portfolio
It's a good idea to start building up a portfolio of your interior design work while you're an undergraduate student. Your portfolio should:
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Provide examples of your own ideas as well as your coursework
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Demonstrate your evolving skills - so remember to keep updating your portfolio as you gain experience
Gaining Experience
Competition for jobs in this sector is fierce and work experience could be the deciding factor to securing a graduate job. Undertaking work experience is invaluable in developing expertise and transferable skills, while demonstrating to employers your motivation and commitment to the design industry.
Types of Opportunities
Below are some examples of the different types of opportunities to gain experience while you study.
Internships (usually a fixed period or a limited amount of time), will give you a more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat internships in the same way as full-time employment, so when a job role asks for 'at least one year’s experience’ you can include this type of experience.
Placements will give you a long-term look at an organisation, and help you to build contacts and experience. On some degrees work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules. Many courses at the University of Portsmouth enable you to complete a one year work placement or self-employment placement; should you choose to undertake either, your first point of contact is the placement team in Careers & Employability.
Search for advertised placements at:
Learn more about taking a placement
Many students from the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries choose to take a Self-Employed Placement. This allows you to work for yourself during your placement year and receive support from the University's Student Startup Team. You will have access to funding opportunities, networking events and workshops.
It is worth considering the voluntary sector for work experience - this could be a valuable way to build up your skills and knowledge in this field. Our Volunteering Bank provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies, listing roles such as:
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Theatre Production Assistant at the King's Theatre
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Exhibition Volunteer at Aspex Gallery
Where to find work experience opportunities
You also might consider reaching out directly to local employers with a speculative application to enquire about work experience opportunities.
In addition, try to enter competitions, attend exhibitions, take part in live briefs and get involved in any opportunities you can to meet people and network!
Getting the most out of work experience
Whether you already have a career path in mind or are still exploring your options, our work experience pages guide you to finding opportunities that match your interests and goals. You'll find advice on choosing an industry, broadening your search, and standing out while building valuable skills and experience.
Finding a Graduate Job
We recommend starting your search using our online jobs board, MyCareer. You can also find general online job boards and advice through our Graduate Jobs page.
Employers that recruit in interior design
- Architectural firms and construction companies
- Interior design companies
- Exhibition centres and events management companies
- Consultancies offering a wide portfolio of design services
- Retailers
- Theatre, TV or film companies
Jobs boards for interior design
Recruitment Agencies
You may want to consider registering with specialist agencies who deal with recruitment processes for design and architectural employers.
- The Crowd
- Penguin
- Agency Central (directory of UK recruitment agencies across multiple industries)
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Useful Social Media Feeds
Check out the following social media feeds for news and information about current projects and to tap into the hidden jobs market:
Freelancing
After building a reputation, many interior designers choose to become self-employed or work freelance. You will also need to create a strong online portfolio to get the message out to a wider audience and don't forget to make use of a variety of social media sites such as LinkedIn to market yourself. Check out the following resources:
- Student StartUp team – Student Enterprise provide advice and support to students and graduates at the University of Portsmouth to develop their enterprising skills and set up their own business.
- Creativepool – Online networking site for people working within the creative industries. Provides a platform from which to research and network with relevant companies as well as finding advertised vacancies.
Keeping up to date
Below you will find some resources to help you explore the interior design sector further and keep up to date with industry trends and news.
- British Institute of Interior Design – The professional organisation for interior designers in the UK. They have a monthly newsletter with news and events and also advertise job vacancies.
- ScreenSkills – Is the industry body which supports skills and training for people and businesses working in the creative industries.
- Discover Creative Careers – An online service to provide the tools, knowledge and networks to support every individual and business to get in, and get on, in the creative industries and cultural sector.
- Creative Boom – An online magazine and network community that aims to celebrate, inspire and support the creative industries throughout the UK and the rest of the world.
- Design Council – Industry insights and news.
- Design Week – Up to the minute design news, views and inspiration. Also has a directory of design consultancies and lists opportunities and job vacancies.
- Interior Design – Coverage of ground-breaking projects, innovative new products, real-time design industry news, and exclusive in-depth research.
Explore more from the Careers Service
CVs, portfolios and cover letters
Find out how to increase your chances of getting an interview by writing a strong CV and completing a successful application.
Building work experience
Get hands-on industry experience and showcase your knowledge before you graduate!
Graduate job search guide
Learn about the types of roles you will encounter, and how to search for roles.
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