Navigating My First Week as a Design Intern

Most interns start off slow—shadowing a designer, organizing fabric samples, maybe getting coffee. Not me.

On day one of my internship at the furniture store, I was sent out to a client’s home to help select furniture. No training, no shadowing, just me, a measuring tape, and a vague sense of panic.

I remember standing in their living room, trying to act confident while mentally replaying everything I’d learned in class. What style were they going for? Did the pieces they liked actually fit the space? And most importantly—was I even supposed to be doing this yet?

There were a few awkward moments (okay, several), but by the end of the week, I’d found my rhythm. I learned to ask the right questions, trust my instincts, and lean into the design process—even when I didn’t feel 100% ready. That first week was a crash course in real-world design, and honestly? I wouldn’t have had it any other way.