Interior Designers, especially when starting out, must do two things: they need to showcase their unique talent, and they obviously need to give their clients exactly what they want (thereby establishing themselves as a successful designer). This can be tricky when dealing with a large diversity of clientele: from those who want to see your talent and originality, to those who may just want approval of what they already know they like. A good way for beginning designers to succeed with clients is to remain simple and use visual portfolios...in two stages. The first should have a large variety of pictorials and samples, to get a broad idea of what styles, colors, materials, etc., the client has an interest in. Once you have in mind what they like, use your talents and put together a more refined portfolio. Include several diverse options of your chosen materials alongside what's being designed (furniture, flooring, counter tops, window treatments, etc.). However, with this portfolio have the client, without you around (making it more genuine), give their opinion of each pic, sample, etc., by writing "YAY", "OK", or "NAY" next to each option. This is simplistic. But, as you'll see later, what you're doing is learning how to impress your clients without taking them too far out of their comfort zone; which may be an issue being that your an inexperienced designer. You should pay close attention to the "YAY", and "OK" responses...at first. When designing, give them what they want; with an overall design related mostly to their "YAY's". Then, combine at least a few of the "OK" choices to impress them with your skills as a creative, and qualified "designer". But to really stand out, you should incorporate one version of their "NAY" response in the design (just make sure when presenting this you have another...safe option.) This is slightly risky, but if you succeed will go far toward impressing your clients with your talent (being that they were initially "NAYsayers"). And, if it doesn't, it's only one aspect of the design (easily changed), and should not affect their feeling toward you since they did hire a "designer". The risk is definitely worth the reward, because leaving a lasting memory of your talents will encourage clients to give you more "word-of-mouth"; which is the best marketing tool for your career. Overall, this "portfolio system" is largely for beginning designers. But being this direct with your design process should lead you toward being able to interpret exactly what future clients want.