As a Graphic Design Intern, your CV should be a visual representation of your creativity, technical skills, and understanding of design principles. It should highlight your ability to create compelling visuals that communicate effectively and meet client needs. Your CV should not only showcase your design skills but also your ability to work within a team, meet deadlines, and handle multiple projects.
Whether you're aiming for an internship in advertising, publishing, or digital media, these guidelines will help ensure your CV stands out to employers.
Showcase Your Design Skills: Highlight your proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or InVision. Include a link to your online portfolio showcasing your best work.
Highlight Relevant Coursework and Projects: Detail any design-related coursework or projects you've completed during your studies. This can include class assignments, freelance work, or personal projects.
Customize Your CV for the Role: Tailor your CV to match the specific requirements of the internship. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description.
Detail Your Understanding of Design Principles: Mention your knowledge of color theory, typography, layout design, and other fundamental design principles.
Emphasize Soft Skills: Highlight skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in a design context.
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Ambitious Graphic Design Intern with a proven track record of enhancing brand recognition and engagement through innovative design strategies. I've contributed to a 15% increase in sales through successful marketing campaigns and improved project completion rates by 30% through effective management. Leveraging my design skills and collaborative approach, I am eager to create impactful visual content that drives business growth and customer engagement.
CAREER Experience
Graphic Design Intern• 01/2024 – Present
DataPulse Solutions
Developed and implemented a new brand identity for the company, leading to a 30% increase in brand recognition and a 20% increase in social media engagement.
Collaborated with the marketing team to design and produce high-quality graphics for a successful marketing campaign, resulting in a 15% increase in sales.
Redesigned the company's website, improving user experience and increasing website traffic by 25%.
Junior Graphic Designer• 03/2023 – 12/2023
QuantumUX Group
Assisted in the creation of a comprehensive design strategy, which led to a more consistent and impactful brand presence across all platforms.
Designed and produced promotional materials for a major company event, contributing to a 20% increase in event attendance.
Managed the company's graphic design project pipeline, improving project completion rates by 30%.
Design Assistant• 11/2021 – 03/2023
ChromaSpace Solutions
Contributed to the design and production of a new product catalog, resulting in a 10% increase in product sales.
Assisted in the development of a new logo and branding materials, leading to a more modern and appealing brand image.
Worked closely with the product development team to create engaging product packaging designs, contributing to a 15% increase in product visibility on store shelves.
SKILLS
Brand development and implementation
Collaboration and teamwork
Graphic design for marketing campaigns
Website design and user experience enhancement
Design strategy creation
Promotional materials design
Project management
Product catalog design
Logo and branding materials design
Product packaging design
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Savannah College of Art and Design
2020-2024
Savannah, GA
CERTIFICATIONS
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)
04/2024
Adobe
Graphic Design Certification
04/2023
Coursera (CalArts)
Certified Graphic Designer (CGD)
04/2023
Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC)
Graphic Design Intern CV Template
1.) Contact Information
Full Name
[email protected] • (XXX) XXX-XXXX • linkedin.com/in/your-name • City, State
2.) Personal Statement
Creative Graphic Design Intern with [number of years/semesters] of experience in [specific design mediums or projects, e.g., digital illustration, brand identity design]. Eager to apply my knowledge of [specific design software/tools] to create compelling visuals for [Company Name]. Committed to contributing fresh ideas and [specific skills, e.g., color theory, typography] to enhance [Company Name]'s brand identity and visual storytelling.
3.) CV Experience
Current or Most Recent Title
Job Title • State Date • End Date
Company Name
Collaborated with [teams/departments] to create [design project, e.g., marketing materials, website layouts], demonstrating strong [soft skill, e.g., teamwork, creativity].
Assisted in [design task, e.g., logo creation, brand development], utilizing [design software, e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop] to enhance [business outcome, e.g., brand recognition, customer engagement].
Contributed to [design initiative, e.g., rebranding campaign, website redesign], resulting in [quantifiable benefit, e.g., 20% increase in web traffic, improved user experience].
Previous Job Title
Job Title • State Date • End Date
Company Name
Played a key role in [project or initiative, e.g., product launch, advertising campaign], which led to [measurable impact, e.g., increased sales, positive customer feedback].
Conducted [type of research, e.g., market trends, competitor analysis], employing [research tools/methods] to inform [design decisions/action, e.g., color schemes, typography choices].
Instrumental in [task or responsibility, e.g., creating promotional materials, designing social media posts], ensuring [quality or standard, e.g., brand consistency, visual appeal] across all design outputs.
4.) CV Skills
Brand development and implementation
Collaboration and teamwork
Graphic design for marketing campaigns
Website design and user experience enhancement
Design strategy creation
Promotional materials design
Project management
Product catalog design
Logo and branding materials design
Product packaging design
5.) Education
Official Degree Name
University Name
City, State • State Date • End Date
Major: Name of Major
Minor: Name of Minor
6.) Certifications
Official Certification Name
Certification Provider • State Date • End Date
Official Certification Name
Certification Provider • State Date • End Date
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In the realm of graphic design, the formatting of your CV as an intern can significantly influence your chances of landing the desired role. A well-formatted CV not only demonstrates your design skills but also reflects your understanding of visual hierarchy and attention to detail—key attributes in the graphic design field. A well-structured CV can make a significant difference in securing an interview.
Start with a Creative Objective
Begin your CV with a creative, concise objective that aligns with the graphic design role you’re applying for. This should briefly state your career goals, your design philosophy, and how you plan to contribute to the prospective company. Showcasing your passion for design and your eagerness to learn and grow within the industry sets a positive tone for the rest of your CV.
Highlight Education and Design Skills
For intern positions, your educational background and design skills are crucial. Format this section to list your degree, any design-related courses, and skills at the top. This layout helps hiring managers quickly verify your design fundamentals and theoretical knowledge. Don't forget to mention any software you are proficient in, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or InDesign.
Detail Relevant Experience and Projects
Even if your direct graphic design experience is limited, detailing projects, part-time jobs, or volunteer work where you utilized design skills is essential. Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements, focusing on tasks that demonstrate your creativity, technical skills, and understanding of design principles.
Include a Portfolio Link
In the graphic design field, showing is often more impactful than telling. Include a link to your online portfolio showcasing your best work. This gives potential employers a direct look at your capabilities and style, making your CV more compelling.
Emphasize Soft Skills and Technical Proficiencies
Soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are as crucial as technical design skills. Include a section that balances both, highlighting your proficiency in design software and your ability to work well in a team. This shows you’re not only capable of creating visually appealing designs but also of contributing positively to the company culture.
Personal Statements for Graphic Design Interns
Graphic Design Intern Personal Statement Examples
Strong Statement
"Creative and innovative Graphic Design Intern with a strong academic background in visual communication and digital media. Proven ability in creating compelling designs that enhance brand identity and engage audiences. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for visual storytelling. Eager to bring my artistic vision and technical skills to a dynamic design team."
Weak Statement
"Driven Graphic Design Intern specializing in digital and print design, with a strong foundation in color theory, typography, and layout design. Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality, creative solutions under tight deadlines. Proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, with a commitment to staying current on design trends. Excited to contribute my design sensibility and technical skills to a forward-thinking creative team."
Strong Statement
"Driven Graphic Design Intern specializing in digital and print design, with a strong foundation in color theory, typography, and layout design. Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality, creative solutions under tight deadlines. Proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, with a commitment to staying current on design trends. Excited to contribute my design sensibility and technical skills to a forward-thinking creative team."
Weak Statement
"Studied Graphic Design and have experience with design software like Illustrator and Photoshop. I have done some design projects and am familiar with color theory and typography. Looking for a role where I can use my design skills and learn more about the industry."
What Makes a Strong Personal Statement?
A strong personal statement for a Graphic Design Intern CV seamlessly blends academic achievements with specific design skills, clearly demonstrating the candidate's creative potential through their portfolio or project outcomes. It stands out by being highly tailored to the graphic design field, highlighting expertise in areas like visual communication, digital media, and design software, directly addressing how these skills meet the needs of the prospective employer.
Compare Your CV to a Job Description
Use Matching Mode to analyze and compare your CV content to a specific job, before you apply.
The ideal length for a Graphic Design Intern's CV is 1-2 pages. This allows enough room to showcase your design skills, academic qualifications, and any relevant work experience. Prioritize showcasing your creativity and technical abilities, focusing on key projects or designs that demonstrate your proficiency. Remember, your CV should be a reflection of your design aesthetic, so make sure it's visually engaging and well-organized.
What's the best format for an Graphic Design Intern CV?
The best format for a Graphic Design Intern CV is a combination format. This layout emphasizes both your skills and work experience. Start with a compelling summary, followed by a detailed skills section highlighting your design proficiency and software knowledge. Then, list your work experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on design-related roles or projects. Include a portfolio link showcasing your work, as this is crucial for employers to assess your design capabilities and creativity.
How does a Graphic Design Intern CV differ from a resume?
To make your Graphic Design Intern CV stand out, showcase your creativity through a well-designed CV that reflects your style. Highlight specific projects, detailing your role and the impact of your work. Include a link to your online portfolio for a comprehensive view of your abilities. Mention any proficiency in design software, and align your skills with the job description. Lastly, emphasize any collaborative experiences to show your ability to work in a team.
