Meral
Interior Design Portfolio
I am particularly interested in interiors and personal spaces, especially how small environments can be adapted to function better. My own bedroom is quite limited in size, which has pushed me to think creatively about layout, storage, and arrangement. I enjoy exploring how a small space can be rearranged or adjusted to feel more functional and visually effective, and this has become a recurring focus within my work.
My approach to making work varies depending on the context. In school, I often begin expressive work through observation, responding to still life or set tasks as guided. For design-based work, I usually start with research and reference images to understand form, layout, and context before developing my own ideas. When working at home, I also use photographs and online references as observational tools, helping me to study light, shadow, scale, and perspective. I pay close attention to detail, as I believe this helps make work feel more resolved and presentable.
I enjoy drawing from subjects that relate to my own life, whether that is my room, everyday objects, or familiar spaces. Using reference images helps me practice shading, light, and perspective, which I then try to apply to my own observational drawings. I find this process useful for improving my technical skills while developing confidence in drawing spaces.
One of the main challenges I face in my work is scale and perspective. To address this, I draw lightly at first, allowing myself to make adjustments and correct mistakes as I work. If something feels off, I test different approaches, such as changing angles or starting from a different object, until I understand what needs to be improved. This trial-and-error process is an important part of how I learn and develop ideas.
This portfolio includes a mix of sketchbook work, finished expressive pieces, in-progress design work from school, paintings, and room layout drawings. While some work is incomplete, I have included it to show my thinking, experimentation, and development rather than only finished outcomes. I am also interested in exploring colour further within interior design, particularly how colour choices can change the mood and impact of a space.
I am excited by the possibility of studying at Edinburgh Napier University, as I enjoy working physically and would like to explore making three-dimensional models, including larger-scale constructions. I want to improve my understanding of perspective, scale, and spatial measurement, and to learn how ideas translate from drawing into physical form. As a creative person, I am observant, experimental, and persistent, and I am motivated to keep refining my work until a space feels resolved.
Final expressive piece exploring still life composition, layering and angled perspective using paint to create depth and contrast.
Exploring different arrangements and materials, experimenting with coloured pencil and gouache to develop colour and vibrancy.
Observational studies of a skull and rose, focusing on form, proportion, and detail.
Exploring bedroom layouts and furniture placement from different perspectives, focusing on space and scale.
Exploring bedroom and living room layouts with a focus on storage, furniture placement, and functionality within shared and personal spaces.
Furniture study focusing on proportions, materials, and functionality.
Developing a camera concept through layered pencil drawings, combining objects, nature, and background elements.
Developing a wearable arm piece through sketching and material exploration using colour and texture samples.
Fan art inspired by The Weeknd's album imagery, reinterpreted using a limited black and white palette to emphasise contrast and depth.
Expressive painted outcome exploring colour, movement, and composition.