Many talented architects and designers don’t struggle because of a lack of skills.
They struggle because of something quieter and more damaging: invisibility.
Not because they are bad at what they do, but because they don’t clearly communicate what exactly makes them valuable.
As Miglena Stumbova, interior designer and founder of Studio Shkafa, openly shares:
“I struggled with low confidence for many years. I wanted to work as an interior designer and develop my talent, but I wasn’t convinced why clients should trust me.”
This is not a story about missing experience or weak portfolios.
It’s a story about humility turning into a career limitation.
This article is based on insights shared by interior designer Miglena Stumbova in a video discussion about confidence, visibility, and professional self-presentation in design.
👉 Watch the full video discussion with Miglena Stumbova
This topic is part of a broader framework on career clarity and visibility in architecture and AEC.
👉 Explore the Architect’s Career Blueprint
Miglena puts the problem bluntly:
“Being humble can be a big limitation. Unless I state what is true about me, people won’t be able to notice it from a distance.”
This has very real consequences:
In this context, humility is not a virtue.
It is a lack of clarity.
One of Miglena’s most practical insights is simple:
“The first thing a client sees is your confidence. That’s what helps them trust you.”
Clients and employers cannot “sense” your talent.
They rely on signals:
Hesitation in these areas is interpreted as uncertainty, regardless of your actual skills.
Many designers believe that only freelancers or studio owners need to “sell themselves.”
Miglena strongly disagrees.
Whether you are:
If you want a job, a project, or a collaboration, you must be able to present yourself in the best possible light.
Self-presentation is not optional. It is a professional skill.
One of the most useful frameworks Miglena uses is straightforward:
“Put yourself in the client’s shoes.”
Clients don’t ask:
They ask:
Describing your strengths is not bragging.
It is information people need to make a decision.
Miglena identifies several of her own core strengths, none of which are vague:
Each of these strengths directly improves project outcomes.
They are not abstract traits. They are business-critical capabilities.
Many designers hide parts of their background:
Miglena argues the opposite:
“Hard circumstances train problem-solving skills that ordinary situations never develop.”
That experience is not a weakness.
It is a competitive advantage, if you know how to articulate it.
Two practical principles stand out:
Not “good designer,” but:
Instead of generic statements, explain:
As Miglena says:
“I can say it without bragging. I’m just stating what’s true.”
The final perspective is crucial.
Clearly presenting your value is not about ego.
It is about responsibility toward:
Leaving your profile incomplete doesn’t make you modest.
It makes you harder to find.
Then ask yourself:
What would matter most to someone considering working with me?
Clarity is not self-promotion.
It is professionalism.
For deeper context and real examples, you can watch the full video featuring Miglena Stumbova.
👉 Watch the full video discussion with Miglena Stumbova