Interior Design Graduates: How to Structure and Format Your Covering Letter, CV, and Portfolio

The most comprehensive guide on covering letters, CVs, and portfolios for Interior Design Graduates

Start Here: The Fastest Way to Improve Your Application

Step 1: Fix Your Portfolio Title Slide

Your title slide should include:

• Your name
• Your job title
• One strong hero image
• Your phone number
• Your email

No mood boards. No collages. No decorative layouts

Step 2: Rewrite Your CV Profile Summary

Three sentences. Twenty words each. Let the reader know:

• you have the right technical design skills
• you have the right software knowledge
• you understand how design happens in studios

If your summary doesn’t do that, rewrite it

Step 3: Add A|B|Final Iterations to Project 1

This single slide proves:

• you can iterate
• you can problem‑solve
• you understand constraints
• you think like a junior designer

Most graduates don’t show iteration. You will. And that’s why you’ll stand out

If you’re currently applying and not getting interviews, I run a Job Application Masterclass where I walk through how to solve this using a real example

Why Interior Design Graduates Struggle to Get Hired

Interior design graduates often fail to secure roles not because they lack talent, but because they fail to present themselves as hireable interior designers. Studios aren’t looking for students; they’re looking for junior designers who can contribute to real projects with real constraints

The issue is not the work itself, but how it is presented. Studios need to see evidence that you understand the realities of commercial design: deadlines, budgets, clients, technical constraints, and iterative problem‑solving. This guide helps you present yourself as a designer who is ready to step into that world

The Six Questions Every Application Must Answer

If you want to land an interior design job interview, then your application must answer these 6 questions:

• ‘Do you have the right technical design skills?’
• ‘Have you got the right software knowledge?’
•  ‘Do you understand how design actually happens in studios?’
• ‘Will you contribute to the studio’s work? If so, after how long?’
• ‘Do you understand our design methodologies? And do you share the same creative ethos?’
• ‘Can you present your ideas well? That’s to say, clearly and succinctly.’

From an employer’s perspective, this creates one concern: ‘We need to train them from zero’

Recruiters vs Hiring Managers: Who Looks at What

Two groups review your application: recruiters and hiring managers. Each has different priorities, and your documents must satisfy both

Interiors Industry Recruiters

Recruiters are gatekeepers. They filter out candidates who can’t demonstrate the basics. They’re not interior designers, so they rely on clear, explicit evidence of your technical and software skills

Interior Design Studio Hiring Managers

Hiring managers are interior designers. They care about your potential contribution to real projects. They look for evidence that you understand the messy, iterative, constraint‑driven nature of studio work. They want to see how you think, not just what you can produce polished renders

Who Looks at What

Understanding who reads which document helps you prioritise what to emphasise

The covering letter divides opinion. Some read it, some don’t. But if the person who does read it is the one who decides whether or not to open your CV, it matters

Assuming you’ve not discouraged them with your covering letter, recruiters will always skim your CV. So, they must be able to answer their questions in under 10 seconds

Your portfolio is the document hiring managers care about most. It’s the only document that shows how you think and solve problems. Specialist recruiters may also review it if they have design backgrounds

The 3 Essential Documents in an Interior Design Job Application

Your application has three components, each with a distinct purpose:

• Covering Letter: a targeted argument explaining why your portfolio belongs in the studio you’re applying to
• CV: a concise, structured document showing your skills, training, and experience
• Portfolio: a curated selection of work demonstrating how you think, design, and communicate as a junior designer

Understanding the purpose of each document is essential because recruiters and hiring managers evaluate them differently

How Weak Applications Hurt Your Chances of Landing a Graduate Interior Design Job

A weak application doesn’t just reduce your chances. It eliminates them in several ways:

• A poor covering letter means no one may ever open your CV
• A weak CV means recruiters can’t justify passing you forward
• A disorganised portfolio signals that you’ll require too much training

Studios hire graduates who reduce workload, not increase it. Your documents must demonstrate that you can contribute quickly

This is where most applications fall down. If you want to see what this looks like applied to a full CV and portfolio, I cover it step by step in the Job Application Masterclass

Why Your Interior Design Cover Letter is Holding You Back

Most interior design cover letters don’t fail due to poor writing. Instead, they fail because they focus on personal passion, repeat CV content, and remain too generic. As a result, they often fail to clearly explain why you are applying to that specific studio

More importantly, studios are not simply looking for enthusiasm. They want to understand your motivation for applying to them and whether you have a genuine interest in the type of projects they deliver. A strong cover letter communicates studio awareness, motivation, and alignment with the studio and the role

Covering Letter: Structure and Format

Your covering letter is no longer a printed document with decorative headers. It is an email or text-based message, which means clarity and intent matter more than presentation

Your covering letter should follow this structure:

• Introductory paragraph
• Second paragraph: why this studio
• Next paragraph: why you’re applying
• Final paragraph: closing statement

All in no more than 250 words

This structure isn’t arbitrary. It mirrors how recruiters and hiring managers read applications: quickly, selectively, and with a focus on motivation and fit

Address your letter to a real person. Use LinkedIn or call the studio to find out the correct name. No one is called ‘Sir or Madam,’ and no one refers to themselves as ‘Hiring Manager’

Introductory Paragraph

When responding to a job advert, keep it simple:

‘I am applying for [exact role name], seen on [LinkedIn / job board], reference [ID].’

For speculative applications, keep your tone conversational and direct.

Why This Studio

This paragraph should explain your interest in the studio specifically. Focus on the type of work they produce, their design approach, and what attracts you to them. This is about showing how well you match the studio, not summarising your background

This paragraph may be your only opportunity to convince recruiters you’re worth considering. This combination of clarity, relevance, and targeted evidence is what makes your cover letter convincing

Why You’re Applying

This paragraph should explain your motivation for applying to this role at this time. It should clearly communicate why you are interested in joining this type of studio environment. It’s about showing intent, not skills or experience.

As with the previous paragraph, this can also be a vital part of your job application. It shows you’ve researched the studio, understand their work, and can articulate why you belong there

Let’s Chat

Close with a simple and professional statement:

‘I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my interest in [your studio / this role] further’

Sign off with ‘Kind regards’ or ‘Best regards’

Why Your Interior Design CV Isn’t Getting Attention

Many graduate interior design CVs weaken applications because they focus too heavily on responsibilities and what you learnt at university. Added to this, when information is poorly prioritised or overly detailed, even strong candidates can come across as unready for studio work

Recruiters scan CVs quickly, but they are not just looking for software knowledge and design skills. They are also looking for signs of judgement, technical awareness, and understanding of how junior designers support projects within a studio. A well-structured CV helps recruiters quickly identify relevant skills, technical awareness, and understanding of junior-level studio work

CV Structure, Format, and What Recruiters Look For

A strong interior design CV that UK applicants submit should be visually engaging. Use colour thoughtfully. Too many graduates submit black‑and‑white CVs that look like accounting applications

Your CV should be no more than two pages. One page often feels cramped; three pages fail to show you can present ideas well, i.e. clearly and briefly

Use readable fonts. Body text should be at least size 10. Use a clean sans-serif font for clarity and professionalism

Page 1

Include:

• Header
• Side bar
• Profile Summary
• What I Bring
• Footer

Header

Include:

• Your name
• Job title
• Portfolio link
• Phone number (with country code, even if you’re based in the UK)
• Professional email address

This is the first place recruiters look. Make it clean, simple, and instantly readable

Side Bar

Include bullet‑point lists for:

• Qualifications
• Software
• Design skills
• Languages (optional)

Avoid graphics showing skill levels. ATS systems can’t read them, and self‑rating is risky. A hiring manager will judge your skill level from your portfolio, not from a bar chart

Profile Summary

Write 3–4 sentences, each under 20 words (around 75 words total)

Your Profile Summary addresses the first 3 of the six questions every application must answer

This section is crucial to the success of your application. It’s where you distil your value into a concise, compelling snapshot that makes recruiters want to keep reading

What I Bring

List 6–10 achievements or strengths that answer the same three questions above, plus one or two soft skills. Each point should be a single sentence under 20 words

This section is the second most important part of your CV. If it doesn’t grab the recruiter’s attention, they likely stop reading your CV altogether. It’s where you demonstrate, point by point, that you match the job description

Footer

Repeat your contact details and links to LinkedIn and your professional Instagram. This ensures your details are always visible, even if the CV is printed or viewed on a small screen

Page 2

Replicate your header, sidebar, and footer from page 1 and include:

• Professional Experience
• Other Experience
• Education

Professional Experience

Use ‘Professional Experience’ rather than ‘Work Experience.’ Include university projects, internships, freelance work, and relevant non‑design roles.

Avoid strict reverse chronological order. Lead with your most relevant experience.

With each point, demonstrate:

• design skills and/or software knowledge
• problem-solving of real-life challenges
• where you fit as a new junior interior designer

This is where you show you understand the inner workings of a small to mid-size interior design studio. And not just academic exercises

Other Experience

Use this section sparingly. Include only exceptional voluntary work or experiences that demonstrate required soft skills

This section shouldn’t distract from your design experience – it should support it

Education

List your degree, university, graduation date, and relevant modules

How Your Interior Design Portfolio Demonstrates Studio Readiness

A weak portfolio is rarely the result of limited projects. More often, it comes down to selecting the wrong content and presenting it without a clear structure or narrative. When finished imagery and presentation boards are scattered across pages without purpose, it becomes difficult for studios to understand how you think as a designer

A strong portfolio communicates process, decision-making, and technical awareness expected of a junior designer. It shows how ideas develop, not just what the final outcome looks like. In most cases, clarity and structure matter far more than volume. This means a focused 15–20 page portfolio that is well-edited and intentional will usually communicate your design thinking more clearly than a much longer, unfocused document

Portfolio Formatting: Fonts, Text, and Visual Consistency

This consolidated section explains why formatting matters and provides a clear summary of the font sizes and typographic hierarchy expected in a professional interior design graduate portfolio

Why Font Size Matters

Small fonts signal inexperience. They also make your portfolio harder to read. Employers skim portfolios quickly; if they struggle to read your text, they will assume you struggle to communicate

A portfolio must be visually clear, readable, and professionally structured. If an employer has to zoom in, you’ve already lost them

Why Consistency Matters

Your CV, covering letter, and portfolio should look like they belong to the same designer. So, consistency in the following elements:

• colour palette
• typography
• spacing
• layout
• image treatment

…creates a professional identity.

If your documents were scattered across a desk, someone should be able to match them instantly

Consistency is a subtle but powerful part of the message you send to recruiters. Because this signals professionalism, attention to detail, and design maturity

Why Captions Matter

Captions allow you to embed software names and design skills directly into the visuals. This helps your portfolio communicate to studios by:

• guiding the viewer’s eye
• clarifying your design decisions
• demonstrating communication skills
• reinforcing your technical knowledge

Captions aren’t decoration, they’re evidence

Portfolio Font Size Summary

To avoid repeating font guidance across multiple sections, here is the complete, consolidated summary of recommended font sizes for your interior design graduate portfolio:

• Body text: minimum 10 pt
• Text box titles: 12–14 pt
• Section headings: 14–18 pt
• Slide titles: approximately 30–36 pt
• Captions: 10–11 pt, readable, consistent, and used sparingly
• Contrast: body text should be black on white (or close to it); headings may be light on dark only if contrast is strong
• Typeface: clean sans serif font for all text, matching your CV and covering letter

This hierarchy ensures your portfolio is readable, professional, and visually coherent. And that it aligns with the expectations of both recruiters and hiring managers

Interior Design Portfolio Title Slide

This is a simple, self‑explanatory opening slide that clearly tells the viewer who you are and how to contact you. It should include:

• Name
• Job title (e.g. Interior Design Graduate, Junior Interior Designer)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Hero image

The hero image should come from your leading project (Project 1). If you have professional photographs of a built project, use one of those. If not, choose your strongest, most polished render. The goal is to set the tone for your portfolio in a single glance: clean, confident, and relevant to the type of work you want to do

Contents Slide

The contents slide acts as a quick visual map of your portfolio. It helps studios understand what they’re about to see and how it’s structured

On the left‑hand side, list your two main projects and one ‘project’ (for example, a research piece, concept study, or skills‑focused section). For each, include:

• Image: Use the same image that appears as the first slide of that project (not the portfolio front cover image). This creates visual continuity and makes it easier to recognise each project as they move through the portfolio
• Title: Keep it short and clear — 2 to 5 words, font size 14–16. Think “Residential Loft Conversion” rather than a full sentence
• Short description: A 15–20 word line that piques interest rather than explains everything. Font size 14–16. Focus on what makes the project relevant

On the right‑hand side, include two short “About Me” blocks. These repeat some information from your CV, but are tailored to how different readers engage with your portfolio

About Me 1: For Recruiters

This section mirrors the tone and content of your CV summary

• Length: Around 75 words, split into 3–4 sentences of no more than 20 words each
• Focus: Written with the recruiter in mind. They may have already read your CV, so this acts as a quick reminder rather than new information

A recruiter will often skim this if they’ve seen your CV first. A hiring manager who jumps straight into your portfolio may be reading it for the first time, so it still needs to be clear, concise, and professional

About Me 2: For Hiring Managers

This second block is very similar in length and structure (again, around 75 words, 3–4 short sentences), but the emphasis shifts

This is where you subtly align yourself with the studio’s approach. Refer to the types of projects they do, the way they talk about design on their website, and the values they emphasise. Small tweaks to this section for each application can significantly improve your success rate

Project 1: Detailed Design (Full Breakdown)

Choose the most relevant project for the studio you’re applying to. Not your favourite or last project. This project must hook the reader immediately, otherwise they stop reading

Why Project 1 Must be Detailed Design

Detailed Design is where junior designers spend most of their time. It’s the phase where:

• technical accuracy matters
• software proficiency matters
• problem‑solving matters
• iteration matters
• communication matters

University projects often include detailed drawings, GA plans, FF&E selections, and spatial layouts. But graduates rarely highlight them. Instead, they show concept boards and mood images

Studios don’t hire graduates to create mood boards. They hire them to support Detailed Design

This is why Project 1 must focus on this phase

Slide 1

Include:

• Title (5–6 words)
• Three images (final image, annotated GA plan, teaser image)
• The Brief (60–80 words)
• My Role (60–80 words)

Why This Structure Works

The three‑image layout is intentional:

• Final image: shows outcome quality
• Annotated GA plan: shows iterative problem‑solving (the largest, most prominent image)
• Teaser image: hints at technical depth

The Brief and My Role establish context and relevance. Placing text in the bottom‑right corner aligns with natural eye movement, ensuring recruiters and hiring managers read it

How to Use University Projects to Simulate Real Studio Work

University projects can be reframed as real‑world simulations:

• ‘‘Client changed their mind’ = tutor feedback
• ‘Budget constraint’ = module requirement
• ‘Technical limitation’ = software or time constraint
• ‘Senior designer direction’ = lecturer guidance

This isn’t misrepresentation, it’s translation. You’re showing studios that you understand their world

This reframing is essential if you want to increase your chances of getting an interview — the ability to turn academic work into studio‑ready evidence

Slide 2

This slide provides one in‑depth answer to many of the questions studios want your portfolio to answer. Using A|B|Final spatial planning iterations in SketchUp

Why Iteration Matters

Studios expect graduates to:

• revise layouts
• adjust plans
• respond to client changes
• adapt to technical constraints

Showing A|B|Final proves you understand that design isn’t linear, it’s iterative

Why SketchUp Is Used Here

SketchUp is:

• fast
• iterative
• visual
• widely used in studios

It’s the perfect tool for demonstrating real‑world adaptability

Why the Text Structure Matters

Title → What → How → How → So What

This structure forces you to:

• identify a real problem
• explain your process
• show your tools
• demonstrate your value

It’s the closest simulation of a real studio conversation

This structured communication is part of your strategy to convince recruiters and hiring managers to give you an interview. This underlines the importance of your ability to articulate your thinking clearly and persuasively

Slide 3

Show SketchUp exploded views demonstrating problem‑solving, such as circulation restricted by door swing. This shifts from 2D to 3D thinking and reinforces your understanding of spatial logic

Why This Matters

Exploded views show:

• spatial logic
• construction awareness
• technical thinking
• 3D understanding

These are skills studios expect from junior designers. And university projects already contain the raw material to demonstrate them

Slides 4, 5, and 6

Slide 4: AutoCAD problem‑solving (technical restriction)

Slide 5: FF&E direction using Enscape and Adobe Suite

Slide 6: Client presentation extracts showing your contribution to finalising the design

Why Each Problem Type Matters

Each slide demonstrates a different category of real‑world constraint:

• Technical restriction (AutoCAD)
• Cost overruns (FF&E)
• Client persuasion (presentation extracts)

Project 2: Implementation (Full Breakdown)

Choose a project demonstrating Implementation Phase knowledge. Use a related but different sector from Project 1 to show breadth without diluting focus

Why Implementation Must Be Shown

Implementation is the second phase during which junior designers spend most of their time. It involves:

• contractor coordination
• technical adjustments
• budget management
• client reviews

University projects rarely include this phase explicitly. But you can simulate it

Studios want graduates who understand that design doesn’t end at concept. They want to see that you can think through the practical, technical, and logistical realities of delivering a design

How to Simulate Implementation Using University Work

You reinterpret your project through an implementation lens:

• ‘Contractor issue’ = technical challenge you identified
• ‘Budget constraint’ = material or FF&E limitation
• ‘Client review pack’ = your final presentation deck
• ‘Site condition’ = spatial limitation in your brief

This isn’t misrepresentation. Instead, it’s demonstrating that you understand how your academic work maps to real‑world phases

This reframing is part of your job application approach, showing your ability to turn hypothetical work into practical, convincing evidence

The Structure

Slide 1: Title, three images, The Brief, My Role

Slides 2–5: Problem‑solving using various software and design skills

This structure mirrors the real implementation workflow:

• identifying constraints
• proposing solutions
• evaluating options
• presenting recommendations

It shows you understand the full project lifecycle, not just the creative front end

Slide 1

Include:

• Title (5–6 words)
• Three images (final image, technical drawing, implementation detail)
• The Brief (60–80 words)
• My Role (60–80 words)

This mirrors the structure of Project 1 Slide 1, reinforcing consistency and professionalism

Slides 2–5

Each slide should demonstrate a different implementation‑phase problem and how you solved it.

Examples include:

• Slide 2: Technical Adjustment. Show an AutoCAD detail or GA plan where you resolved a technical conflict

• Slide 3: Material or FF&E Constraint. Show how you adapted a design due to cost, availability, durability, or sustainability

• Slide 4: Coordination or Spatial Issue. Show how you resolved a clash, circulation issue, or compliance‑related constraint

• Slide 5: Client Review. Show a slide from your presentation deck and explain how you responded to feedback

Why This Structure Works

It mirrors the real implementation workflow:

• identifying constraints
• proposing solutions
• evaluating options
• presenting recommendations

This shows you understand the full project lifecycle

Project 3: What I’m Proud Of (Highlight Reel)

A short section titled ‘What I’m Proud Of’ or similar.

Project 3 isn’t a full project. It’s a curated highlight reel that shows breadth without overwhelming the reviewer. It reinforces your understanding of the full design workflow and demonstrates your ability to work across phases

Slide 14: Evidence of Design Production Workflow Knowledge

Include one image from each phase of a different project, ideally from a different sector. In our case, workplace design:

• Concept
• Developed Design
• Implementation
• Detailed Design

This slide shows that you understand the entire design process, not just the creative front end. It also demonstrates that you can produce work across multiple stages of a project. And that’s something studios value highly

This slide isn’t about volume. It’s about clarity, maturity, and demonstrating that you know how design progresses from idea to delivery

Slide 15: Concept Aligned With Studio Style

Include a single concept from a project that aligns with the design style of the studio you’re approaching for interview:

This is a strategic slide. It shows:

• you understand the studio’s aesthetic
• you can adapt your design thinking
• you can produce work that fits their portfolio
• you’ve researched them properly

Studios want graduates who can integrate into their workflow and visual language quickly. This slide proves you can

Contact Slide: How to End Your Portfolio Professionally

On slide 16 include:

• Hero image (a similar render from the same room as your lead project)
• Name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Email address

Ensure these details match your CV and covering letter exactly. Consistency across documents signals professionalism and attention to detail

Why This Slide Matters

The final slide ensures:

• your details are easy to find
• your identity is reinforced
• your portfolio ends cleanly and professionally

It also ensures that if your portfolio is forwarded internally, printed, or saved as a PDF, your contact information is always visible

Consistency with your CV and covering letter reinforces your personal brand as an interior designer. It signals that you understand professional communication standards. Again, something hiring managers and recruiters both value

Wrap Up: What Studios Really Want From Graduates

From Your Portfolio

Your portfolio isn’t a gallery of images. It’s a simulation of your first year in a studio

Every slide, every image, every caption, every text box is chosen to answer the six questions that determine whether a studio hires you:

• ‘Do you have the right technical design skills?’
• ‘Have you got the right software knowledge?’
• ‘Do you understand how design actually happens in studios?’
• ‘Will you contribute to the studio’s work? If so, after how long?’
• ‘Do you understand our design methodologies? And do you share the same creative ethos?’
• ‘Can you present your ideas well? That’s to say, clearly and succinctly’

University projects already contain everything you need. You simply need to extract, reframe, and present them through a real‑world lens. That is how you turn academic work into credible evidence that you can function as a junior interior designer in a commercial studio

This ability to translate academic work into studio‑ready evidence is a core part of the way you approach applications. And it’s something you can refine further through guided practice

How to Get Hired as a Recent Interior Design Graduate

Present yourself as a hireable interior designer. Use your covering letter, CV, and portfolio to show that you’re studio-ready. Because you:

• know what type of work you’ll be doing
• have the design skills and software they need
• have experience of real‑world project problems (even if you’ve never worked in a studio)
• understand the project workflow, and your place in it

Get the structure of your covering letter, CV, and portfolio right, and you’re getting very close to landing that all‑important interior design job interview

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