How to Land a Design Job (Even Without Experience)

By Oyinloluwa Adedoyin

Getting into top companies might feel out of reach if you’re early in your design career. But it’s not impossible. You don’t need five years of experience or a fancy title. What you need is proof of thinking, clarity in execution, and the discipline to stay visible.

I’ve been on both sides. I’ve worked at early-stage startups where structure barely existed, and in companies where design culture is intentional. I’ve seen how designers at different stages of their careers get noticed. If you’re serious about building a strong foundation, here’s how to do it in five practical steps.

1. Build Work That Solves Real Problems
   
   A common mistake new designers make is focusing only on how things look. But great companies are more interested in how you think. The most valuable work you can create at this stage isn’t necessarily for clients. It’s self-initiated, but rooted in real challenges. If you see a clunky onboarding flow in an app you use every day, redesign it. If you notice a feature that could be improved with better feedback or motion, show how you’d approach it. These kinds of projects demonstrate initiative, not just skill. Even if you’re not solving the “right” problem perfectly, what matters is that you’re thinking like a product designer: critically, intentionally, and with the user in mind.
   
2. Create a Clear and Focused Portfolio
   
   When you’re just starting out, you don’t need ten projects. Two or three solid, well-thought-out case studies are enough. A good portfolio doesn’t overwhelm. It guides. It tells a simple story: what problem you were solving, what decisions you made along the way, and what the outcome was. It doesn’t have to be fancy or over-designed. What matters is that anyone looking through it, whether it’s a recruiter, a design lead, or a founder, can understand how you approach problems. Use a simple tool like Notion, Figma, or Webflow to put it together. Keep it updated and make sure it reflects where you’re trying to go, not just where you’ve been.
   
3. Pitch Yourself, Even When No One’s Hiring
   
   Most people only apply when they see a job listing. But the reality is that some of the best roles are filled through recommendations or quiet outreach. This is where you can stand out. Reach out to the companies you admire even if they’re not actively hiring. Keep it short and respectful. If you can, create something small that adds value to their product. Maybe a fresh take on one of their flows, or an animation that improves a key interaction. Include a short message explaining why you admire their product, and link to your portfolio or the specific piece you’ve created. It shows initiative and thoughtfulness, two things every good team values.
   
4. Apply for Internships and Associate Roles
   
   First If you’re early in your career, your best bet is to start small and strategic. Internships, apprenticeships, and associate-level roles are built specifically to support your growth. Don’t be in a hurry to land a senior title in a chaotic startup where there’s no real support or structure. It’s much smarter to work in a place that has a solid design culture, even if your role isn’t glamorous, because that’s where real learning happens. At this stage, you need guidance, reviews, collaboration, and systems. Established teams can give you all of that, and it sets you up for better opportunities down the line.
   
5. Stay Visible and Keep Showing Up
   
   Growth in design takes time, and visibility matters. If no one sees your work, it’s easy to be overlooked no matter how good you are. Share what you’re learning. Post your process. Document your experiments. Whether it’s on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Medium, or even a blog, showing your evolution helps others believe in your potential. You don’t need to be loud. Just be consistent. Over time, people will begin to associate your name with someone who’s serious, improving, and reliable. That kind of reputation opens doors. Often, the opportunity you want won’t come from a job board. It’ll come because someone has been watching your progress quietly and believes it’s time.
   

Getting into a top company as a junior designer isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing that you’re thoughtful, intentional, and willing to put in the work. If you build things that matter, talk about your work with clarity, stay visible, and reach out to the right teams at the right time, someone will take a chance on you.

Once one opportunity lands, everything else starts moving faster. So keep learning, keep designing, and when that shot comes, be ready.
About the author
I’m Oyinloluwa Adedoyin, a product and motion designer focused on impactful digital experiences, working across media, education, and fintech spaces, building solutions that merge clarity, usability, and motion to connect better with users. A lottiefiles contributor with over 1,000 downloads dedicated to shaping the future of digital experiences by combining creativity, technology, and innovation.