logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
13m 47s

125\\ No Design Experience? Creative Way...

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Designer, Interior Design Mentor, Designers Coach
About this episode

"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:

Listen to Related Episode:

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

Up next
Jul 7
146 | How to Build Your Dream Design Team Without the Headache With Ronniesha Rivera
Have you ever wasted hours searching for the right help for your interior design business, only to feel frustrated and stuck? What if there was an easier way to find the right people who truly understand interior design?In this episode, I chat with Ronniesha Rivera, an interior d ... Show More
26m 55s
Jun 30
145 | The State of Interior Design in 2025
Is the interior design industry evolving too quickly, and are you prepared for it?Or maybe you are questioning whether pursuing a career as an interior designer is still a wise decision in today's landscape.In this episode, I take you through how the interior design industry has ... Show More
19m 46s
Jun 23
144 | How to Rewire Your Money Beliefs to Increase Profits in Your Design Business With Audrey Faust
"You have to work hard for money" or "Money doesn't grow on trees" are just a few of the money beliefs that many of us grew up with. These childhood beliefs may be quietly hindering your design business.In this episode, I chat with expert CFO and money mindset coach Audrey Faust ... Show More
29m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
97 Building Your Design Agency Dream Team
In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, we talk about expanding your design business and building your dream team. From feeling swamped with administrative tasks to struggling to attract top-notch clients, we've all been there. If you've heard my other ... Show More
32m 37s
Mar 2024
100 Strategies to Grow Your Design Business with Chris Do
It's a milestone worth celebrating! The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast is proud to announce its 100th episode! Over the past 100 episodes, we've had the privilege of hosting some of the sharpest minds in the creative industry. Our guests have shared their experiences ... Show More
1h 5m
Aug 2024
119 How I Went from $65 Logo Designs to $20K+ Branding Projects (Pricing Part 1)
Ever wondered how to significantly increase your rates? In this episode, I share my journey from charging $65 for logo designs to landing $20k+ branding projects. You’ll get insider tips on positioning, specializing, and communicating value to attract high-paying clients. I’ll wa ... Show More
25m 37s
Jul 2024
116 How to Land Design Clients Without Social Media
Tired of feeling like you have to post endlessly on social media to land design clients? I’ve got you covered! In this episode, I’ll show you how to build a thriving design business without relying on social media platforms. I'll share practical strategies to connect with pot ... Show More
34m 11s
Nov 2023
83 How to Become a Fully Booked Graphic Designer with Shay (Bucketlist Bombshells)
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer podcast. In this insightful conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Shay, founder of Bucketlist Bombshells, to uncover the secrets behind getting booked out 3, 6, and even 12 ... Show More
1 h
Jan 2025
145 Psychological Tricks to Sell Design Services
Selling doesn’t have to feel pushy or uncomfortable. In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, I’m breaking down the psychological tricks that make selling design services feel natural. From building trust to framing your services as solutions, these strategies ... Show More
27m 15s
Feb 2024
93 Mastering Content Creation and Logo Design with Will Paterson
Join me in this exciting episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, where I had the pleasure of hosting the incredibly talented Will Paterson. Will is a true master in the world of graphic design, specializing in Logo Design, Hand Lettering, and Brand Identity. As the ow ... Show More
45m 50s
May 13
Most Graphic Design Portfolios Are FORGOTTEN – Here’s How to Make Yours Unforgettable (& Get Hired)
Graphic designers pour blood, sweat, and sleepless nights into their portfolios—only to be ghosted, passed over, or worse… completely forgotten. The harsh truth? Good design doesn’t speak for itself. And if your portfolio isn’t telling a story, it’s telling the wrong one.In this ... Show More
40m 27s
Jun 10
164 3 Design Services You Can Add Right Now to Land Bigger Clients
You can be the best designer on the planet—if your offer is limited, your income will be too. I see it all the time. Talented designers stuck at $1K projects because they’re only offering a logo or a brand board. But the clients who pay $10K? They’re not hiring someone to make th ... Show More
37m 5s
Aug 2023
68 The Designer to Agency Bootcamp
The Designer to Agency Bootcamp is a 2-day live (and recorded) event that will guide business owners through the 4 main components of a successful and sustainable business:   1. Position Your Design Business as a High-End Agency, even if you don't have a team yet! In this one ... Show More
13m 35s