5 Portfolio Tweaks That Help Architects & Interior Designers Land Interviews Faster in the UAE & KSA
If you’re an Architect or Interior Designer applying for roles in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, your portfolio is doing far more work than your CV ever will.
We review portfolios every day across hospitality, commercial, residential and mixed-use projects — and one thing is clear:
great designers often miss out, not because of lack of talent, but because of how their work is presented.
Here are five simple portfolio tweaks that consistently help candidates move faster in the hiring process.
1. Lead with your strongest project (not your first)
Hiring managers rarely scroll from start to finish. Most decide within the first few pages whether to continue.
What works best:
Start with the project that best matches the role
Hospitality for hospitality roles
Commercial for commercial studios
Think relevance, not chronology.
2. Show your role clearly — don’t make them guess
Studios don’t just want to see beautiful work. They want to understand what you actually did.
For each project, include a short line such as:
“Concept development, FF&E selection, client presentations, site coordination.”
This builds trust quickly and avoids assumptions.
3. Fewer pages, stronger storytelling
A 60-page portfolio doesn’t show more experience — it shows less clarity.
In the UAE & KSA market, 20–30 well-curated pages almost always outperform longer decks.
Focus on:
One clear idea per page
Clean layouts
White space
Let the work breathe.
4. Add context, not just visuals
Design leaders want to understand your thinking.
Simple captions like:
Project challenge
Design intent
Constraints (budget, timeline, client type)
…can turn a good project into a memorable one.
5. Tailor your portfolio for the region
This is a big one.
Studios in the Middle East often look for:
Hospitality & mixed-use experience
Large-scale or fast-track projects
Exposure to site coordination
Cultural sensitivity in design
If you have regional experience, highlight it early.
If you don’t, explain how your skills translate.
Final thought
Your portfolio isn’t a record of everything you’ve done — it’s a conversation starter.
Small refinements can dramatically increase interview call backs.
If you’re actively exploring opportunities in the UAE or KSA and would like feedback on your portfolio, we’re always happy to share honest, constructive advice.