Graphic designers are creative storytellers who are skilled at translating ideas into images. As a graphic designer, your resume should offer a similar kind of story. It should tell employers about your experience, accomplishments, and creativity in visual communication. In this guide, we'll walk through 9 expertly crafted examples of graphic designer resumes to help you create a compelling story of your own.
You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.
Developed and executed visual design concepts, resulting in a 20% increase in website traffic and conversion rates by creating visually appealing and user-friendly designs using software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Led the implementation of a new visual design system, resulting in a 15% reduction in design time and a 20% increase in brand recognition by streamlining the design process and creating a consistent visual identity using design systems such as Sketch and InVision.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver on-time and on-budget projects and initiatives by effectively communicating project timelines, progress, and objectives using tools such as Asana and Basecamp.
As a Graphic Designer, your role will involve creating visually appealing designs for a variety of mediums. When creating your resume, here are some tips to help you focus on what matters most:
Showcase your design skills:
The most important aspect of your resume should be your design portfolio. Be sure to include a selection of your best work that showcases your design skills and style.
Highlight your software skills:
Graphic Designers need to be proficient in a variety of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Figma. Be sure to highlight your proficiency in these tools and any relevant design techniques.
Focus on results:
As with any other position, it's important to focus on your achievements and the results of your work. Use metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the impact of your design skills.
Here are the essential sections that should exist in a graphic designer resume:
Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other graphic designer candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:
Let's start with resume headlines.
Experienced Graphic Designer with 4 Years of Professional Experience.
Creative and Professional Senior Graphic Designer.
The good examples provide concrete information that can help the employer quickly understand the scope of the Graphic Designer's experience. It also gives a sense of the designer's level of expertise and capability.
Graphic Designer Seeking Work.
Leader in Graphic Design.
The bad examples are vague and do not contain any information to show the level of experience of the Graphic Designer. This could give the employer a false impression of the designer's experience, and would not encourage the employer to further consider the resume.
A resume summary is an essential aspect of a Graphic Designer's resume, providing a brief yet impactful overview of their creative skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Your summary should showcase your expertise in designing visually appealing graphics and communicating ideas through design.
Tips for writing an effective summary for a Graphic Designer:
Why these are strong:
Why these are weak:
Talented and detail-oriented Graphic Designer with 1+ years of experience in print and digital design, demonstrating exceptional creativity and innovative problem-solving skills to produce attractive visual solutions.
Experienced Graphic Designer with 1+ years of experience, seeking an entry-level role with a reputable company to utilize eye for detail, visual proficiency and technical design skills.
Why these are strong:
Passionate about creative designs, looking for a Graphic Designer role for financial gain.
Self-taught Graphic Designer, hoping to enter the field to provide impressive visual solutions.
Why these are weak:
Designed and developed the branding and marketing materials for XYZ Inc.'s product launch, resulting in a 20% increase in product sales.
Created visually appealing and engaging infographics to effectively communicate complex information to a broad audience.
Worked with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent and cohesive branding across all marketing channels.
Conducted user research and testing to identify and resolve usability issues, improving overall user experience.
Designed and developed the website design for ABC Inc., resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic.
Implemented accessibility features to ensure the website is accessible to users with disabilities.
Collaborated with UX designers to translate wireframes and prototypes into visually appealing designs.
Conducted user research and testing to identify and resolve usability issues, improving overall user experience
Why these are strong:
Assisted with updating website design for XYZ Inc.
Helped with creating basic designs for ABC Inc.
Conducted basic testing for website functionality for DEF Inc.
Worked on fixing small issues with website design for GHI Inc.
Was responsible for updating website content for XYZ Inc.
Conducted basic coding for website updates for ABC Inc.
Worked on creating simple designs for websites for DEF Inc.
Assisted with fixing small issues with website functionality for GHI Inc.
Why these are weak:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at [Company Name]. As an experienced graphic designer, I have a proven track record of creating visually appealing designs that have resulted in increased website traffic, brand recognition, and social media engagement.
With my experience in developing and executing visual design concepts, I was able to achieve a 20% increase in website traffic and conversion rates, by creating user-friendly designs that were visually appealing. My expertise in design systems such as Sketch and InVision allowed me to implement a new visual design system that resulted in a 15% reduction in design time, and a 20% increase in brand recognition.
Collaboration and effective communication are also strengths of mine. I have worked with cross-functional teams to deliver projects and initiatives on-time and on-budget, using tools such as Asana and Basecamp to communicate project timelines, progress, and objectives.
As a skilled graphic designer, I have a keen attention to detail, which resulted in a 25% decrease in errors in my work. Additionally, I am always willing to support and assist others, which has resulted in a positive impact on the overall performance of the companies I have worked for.
I am confident that my skills and experience would make a valuable contribution to your team at [Company Name].
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to discussing the opportunity further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
A cover letter is an invaluable tool for any graphic designer looking to stand out in the job search. It's an opportunity to showcase your communication skills, highlight your relevant experience, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
While a resume provides a summary of your skills and experience, a cover letter allows you to personalize your application and connect with the hiring manager on a deeper level. It's an opportunity to tell your story, explain why you're passionate about graphic design, and show how you can add value to the organization.
Here are some of the key reasons for pairing your graphic designer resume with a cover letter:
We understand that writing a cover letter may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Remember that the cover letter is an extension of your resume, so you can use the same format and content as your resume. It's also a chance to address any gaps or questions that the hiring manager may have after reading your resume.
Tips for aligning your cover letter with your resume:
When it comes to resume length, Graphic Designers should strive for a single page summary of their professional experience. However, if you do need extra space to convey relevant accomplishments and skills, it is acceptable to extend to a maximum of two pages. It is important to remember that your resume should be tailored to the job that you are applying for and only include information that is pertinent to the job. To ensure your resume is concise and well-organized, strive to utilize one-liners, active language, and bullet points to actively showcase your experience and skill set.
When formatting a Graphic Designer resume, it is important to clearly highlight skills and design portfolio. Organize the resume in a way that prioritizes your most relevant experience, tailored to the job you are applying for, and use strong visuals to capture the attention of employers. Additionally, focus on a modern and visually appealing resume format that focuses on concise, clear terminology.
Graphic Designers should include a variety of hard skills in their resume. These skills may include: • Adobe Creative Suite, such as Photoshop and InDesign • Layout and typography knowledge • Knowledge of color theory and coding • Retouching and photo manipulation skills • Understanding logo and branding principles • 3D modeling, animation, and gaming software • Video editing and motion graphics • Web and mobile designing • Understanding of popular marketing and communication platforms • E-commerce, search engine optimization (SEO), and web analytics knowledge • Knowledge of digital production and production processes • The ability to work quickly and accurately • The ability to follow instructions • Excellent communication and coordination abilities
When writing your resume as a Graphic Designer with no experience, you should emphasize your knowledge of the industry, software and tools commonly used, and specialized skills like design, layout, and typography. Include relevant academic qualifications, classes, workshops, or certifications, emphasizing projects and any related experience. You can also list any design competitions you may have participated in, or make sure to include any presentable portfolio that may show any creative designs you have done even if in a volunteer or educational context. Finally, ensure you state the scope of any unpaid contributions and how they were beneficial.
