Interior Design Portfolio Examples for University (2024)

When applying to a university to take part in their interior design program, it is always a good practice to take the time to put together an interior designer portfolio, whether an online portfolio or a printed copy, of some of the previous work that you’ve completed that’s related to the subject. If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips on what to include in an interior design portfolio and some interior design portfolio examples.

What is an interior design portfolio?

An interior design portfolio is a way to showcase your planning, personality, and creative process when it comes to interior design. It allows your clients to have a glimpse of your work and what is to be expected when you finish your interior design projects.

You can offer a printed copy of your portfolio to your potential clients. In this digital age, you can also create digital versions such as a portfolio website to showcase your graphic design and design skills.

A great interior designer always has a great interior design portfolio ready. But why do we need a portfolio when applying to an interior design university?

Why do interior designers need a portfolio for universities?

While most schools won’t actually require something like this to be done for a lot of undergraduate programs, there are at least a couple of different reasons why some schools may ask that this step be taken:

• The applying student will be transferring credits to the university in question and seeking advanced placement.
• The applying student doesn’t meet the minimum established GPA requirements.

So you should have your interior design portfolio ready in case the interior design school requires you to have one.

Here are the basic items that will need to be included in aprofessional portfoliofor a university.

Contact Information

Your portfolio should contain basic and essential information.

First and foremost, you will want to include both your full name and the following contact information:

• Home address
• Telephone number
• Email address

Including this information will provide a means for the instructors associated with the interior design program to be able to contact you with any questions, concerns, etc. that they may have.

Imagine submitting your portfolio with all your portfolio exhibits, technical skills, interior design practice, and all your completed projects, but you forgot your contact details. That’s a total disaster, isn’t it?

Table of Contents

Including a table of contents will provide a way in which those who view your portfolio will be able to easily locate everything contained in it. This includes examples of your previous works.

Examples of Past Projects

This will be the heart and soul of your professional portfolio. These can include a mixture of personal, professional, or school projects that you’ve completed having to do with interior design.

It is natural that your portfolio will consist of more images than words. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Attach in your portfolio your best work. Showcase your residential project, design projects, commercial design, and all other projects that will you think will showcase your skill and talent as a skilled interior designer.

Additionally, you will want to ensure that each project includes the following information attached to them:

• Title of project and date completed
• Type of project (school, personal, or professional)

When it comes to projects that you have completed, not only should you include images of design boards, but you should also include projects such as hand renderings, perspective drawings, floor plans, and more as a way to show variety.

Present Your Work Professionally

While many designers still have printed portfolios, most employers will find them online. Sometimes, schools or your future clients might ask you for a digital portfolio, or your portfolio website, instead of a printed copy.

Fortunately, in today’s digital age, the physical task of developing an interior designer’s online portfolio is easy, given you have access to tools to create one.

If you decide to make a digital version of your portfolio, make sure it is made professionally and neatly. However, if web design and development is something new to you, you might need a web designer that will help you create your digital portfolio.

Having a printed and digital portfolio ready will surely impress interior design schools and also future clients.

Portfolio format

Portfolios come in many formats such as printed paper, printed film, iCloud Documents, and the such.

If you select an image to print. Always use a good-quality image in your portfolio to ensure a nice appearance on the printed page.

Interior Designer Resume

While many people think that you only need tocreate a resumeto apply for employment, this isn’t necessarily true.

You will also want to create one when you apply for a university, and it is also a good idea to include this as part of your portfolio.

Here are the basic things that you will want to include in it:

• Awards you have won
• Previous employment (if applicable)
• Any volunteer work you have completed
• Followings on social media (if applicable)
• Sports you have played
• Hobbies and interests
• Leadership positions you have held
• Languages you speak other than English

By including these basic things in your portfolio, you will greatly increase your chances of being accepted into an interior design program at a university of your choice, as well as further prepare yourself for an amazing future upon graduation!

If you’re just starting to design a portfolio and are trying to come up with a basic layout, we offer a number ofinterior design portfolio templatesto save you time. If you’re either in school or recently graduated use coupon code “student” at checkout for an additional 15% off your purchase.

Conclusion: What To Include In An Interior Design Portfolio For University

A portfolio is a very important document for an interior designer, not just to attract potential clients, but also can be handy in your interior design university application. With the tips we mentioned above, I’m sure you will have your portfolio, both printed and digital, ready in no time.

If you still have difficulty creating one, we have portfolio templates that you can use to jumpstart your career.