Overview
Interior design studios expect junior hires to be comfortable with CAD software, material sourcing, and client presentation from day one. A good degree is the starting point, but what makes a resume stand out is evidence that you have worked on real projects with real budgets and real clients, not just hypothetical briefs.
This resume belongs to Callum Reid, an Interior Design graduate from Edinburgh Napier University. He completed a placement at a boutique Edinburgh studio and won the SBID Student Award for his final year project. His resume works because it shows the full design process, from concept sketches to supplier specifications, with numbers throughout.
What Makes This Resume Work
The placement covers the entire project lifecycle. Callum produced CAD drawings, created mood boards for client meetings, sourced materials from 15 suppliers, and built rendered visualisations. This demonstrates that he was not just filing samples in the back room; he was actively involved in the design process.
Financial context is included. Mentioning that he prepared specifications totalling £85,000 gives a sense of scale. It tells a studio director that Callum understands that interior design is not just about aesthetics; it involves budgets, timelines, and supplier management.
The SBID award provides industry validation. The Society of British and International Design is a recognised professional body. Winning their student award in the Scotland region signals that Callum's work has been assessed by practising professionals, not just university tutors.
Key Takeaways
For junior interior design applications, your resume should trace the design process from concept to specification. Count the drawings produced, mood boards presented, and projects contributed to. Include any budget figures you worked with, suppliers you managed, and awards you received. Studios want to know you can support a senior designer on a live project from your first week.
