Interior Design Jobs in Nairobi: Roles, Portfolio and Where to Apply

Interior design jobs in Nairobi appear in design studios, architecture and fit-out firms, furniture and finishes businesses, property companies, hospitality and retail. The role may involve creative concepts, technical drawings, client presentations, material advice, sales or site coordination. Read each vacancy carefully because employers use “interior designer” for different responsibilities.

Interior design roles to search for

• Interior design assistant or junior designer: support space plans, presentations, schedules, drawing updates and material research.
• Interior designer or workplace designer: develop concepts, layouts, finishes and documentation, then coordinate decisions with clients and project teams.
• CAD technician or 3D visualiser: prepare drawings, models, renders and presentation material from a design brief.
• Furniture, kitchen or finishes designer: help clients choose or customise furniture, joinery, lighting and surface materials.
• Retail, display or exhibition designer: plan customer-facing spaces, displays and temporary environments.
• Design project coordinator: track decisions, procurement, schedules, contractors and handover alongside the design team.

Search those role names as well as “interior designer”. A finishes showroom may expect product knowledge and client sales; a studio may ask for technical drawings and project experience; a contractor may prioritise site coordination.

Check live Nairobi vacancies

Openings and closing dates change, so use live search pages rather than relying on an old vacancy article. Check Fuzu design and arts jobs in Nairobi, BrighterMonday creative and design jobs in Nairobi, and LinkedIn interior designer jobs in Nairobi. Filter by posting date, location, experience and closing date; confirm the details on the employer’s own application page before sending personal information.

Build a portfolio for the job you want

Choose four to six projects that show how you think. For each one, explain the brief, users, site constraints and your role. Show the layout, circulation, key elevations, materials or lighting choices, technical drawings and final visualisation. If it was a team or class project, say so clearly and identify the work you completed yourself.

Tailor the first pages to the vacancy. For a junior studio role, lead with a clear plan and design development. For a showroom role, include material knowledge and a concise client presentation. For a site-focused role, show details, schedules and how you resolved practical constraints. Remove private client details and get permission before showing commissioned work.

Prepare your application

• Use a short CV that names your qualification, design tools and relevant project experience.
• Link to a compressed PDF or online portfolio that opens easily on a phone.
• Match your examples to the stated duties instead of sending the same generic application everywhere.
• Prepare to explain one design choice, one technical challenge and how you responded to feedback.
• Check the employer, application channel and deadline before sharing identity documents or paying any fee.

How KENCID prepares students for practice

At KENCID, our current Interior Design course page lists Foundation (2 semesters), Certificate (3 semesters) and Diploma (7 semesters, including practice-oriented learning). The course includes studio work, site visits and real-world projects, alongside space planning, drawings and digital workflows, materials, furniture, lighting and professional practice. See the published entry requirements and course details.

A course can help you build skills and a portfolio; it cannot promise a particular vacancy or salary. After study, you can explore IDAK student and graduate membership and its professional resources. KENCID provides design education; IDAK is the professional association.