Artist Resume Examples and Templates
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
As a graphic designer, you can uniquely resolve issues creatively through visual art. Your resume should demonstrate how to turn abstract concepts into clear, engaging designs that tell a story to a specific audience. This guide of tips and examples will help you level up your graphic designer resume.
Key takeaways:
- Convey your specialty: Whether digital design, print media, branding, or user experience (UX), clearly display your expertise in a way that positions you as an ideal candidate.
- Quantify achievements: Numbers — like graphics — can help tell a story. Use metrics, percentages, and measurable outcomes to illustrate your impact in previous design positions.
- Optimize with keywords: Include relevant graphic design skills and keywords from the job ad throughout your resume to help get your application through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Most Popular Graphic Design Resumes
Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This freelance graphic designer resume highlights the candidate’s ability to work independently and deliver measurable results. The strong focus on branding and client satisfaction adds credibility. Learn more here.
Graphic Design Internship Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This internship resume highlights early hands-on experience with a strong focus on measurable contributions like engagement growth. It demonstrates initiative and collaboration. Learn more here.
Graphic Design Student Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This student graphic design resume effectively balances academic achievements with freelance experience. It demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to gaining practical skills. Learn more here.
Junior Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This junior graphic designer resume highlights measurable impacts like reduced turnaround times. It demonstrates teamwork and foundational skills needed for career growth. Learn more here.
Senior Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This senior graphic designer resume showcases leadership and measurable achievements like increased traffic and sales. It emphasizes advanced skills and team management expertise. Learn how to craft yours here.
Graphic Design Manager Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This graphic design manager resume highlights leadership and measurable contributions to team productivity and client success. It showcases a balance of creative and managerial expertise. Learn how to elevate your resume here.
Graphic Design Resume With No Experience
Why This Resume Works
This resume highlights academic achievements and volunteer work for a candidate without professional experience. It emphasizes transferable skills and readiness for entry-level roles. Learn how to get started here.
Graphic Design Infographic Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This resume emphasizes niche skills in infographic design and data visualization, showcasing measurable impacts such as increased website traffic. Learn how to tailor your resume here.
Motion Graphics Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This motion graphics designer resume showcases advanced technical skills and measurable contributions, such as increased viewership. It appeals to both creative and tech-driven employers. Learn how to improve yours here.
UX Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This UX graphic designer resume combines strong design fundamentals with user-focused techniques. Its effectiveness is demonstrated by measurable results, like increased user retention. Learn how to stand out here.
Packaging Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This packaging graphic designer resume highlights specialized skills in sustainable and innovative packaging solutions. Measurable achievements like reduced approval times demonstrate its impact. Learn more here.
Branding Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This branding graphic designer resume emphasizes expertise in brand development and measurable client success. It highlights creative achievements and strategic thinking. Learn how to refine yours here.
Digital Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This digital graphic designer resume highlights technical skills in responsive design and UI optimization. Measurable results like increased click-through rates add credibility. Learn more here.
Environmental Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This environmental graphic designer resume highlights expertise in creating functional and visually striking spaces. Collaborative skills and measurable navigation improvements make it impactful. Learn how to enhance yours here.
Creative Director Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This creative director resume showcases leadership and measurable campaign results. It demonstrates a strong ability to lead teams and deliver innovative branding strategies. Learn how to structure yours here.
E-Commerce Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This e-commerce graphic designer resume highlights technical expertise and measurable impacts on conversions and engagement. It effectively appeals to businesses focused on online sales. Learn more here.
Advertising Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This advertising graphic designer resume demonstrates versatility across mediums and measurable campaign successes. The emphasis on collaboration highlights teamwork skills. Learn how to stand out here.
Publication Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This publication graphic designer resume emphasizes expertise in layout design and typography, critical for print-focused roles. It showcases experience with high-impact publications. Learn more here.
Corporate Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This corporate graphic designer resume highlights specialized skills in internal branding and executive communication. The inclusion of measurable impacts demonstrates effectiveness. Learn how to refine yours here.
Minimalist Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This minimalist graphic designer resume emphasizes niche expertise in clean, modern designs. It appeals to clients and employers seeking sleek visual solutions. Learn how to structure yours here.
Creative Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This creative graphic designer resume highlights versatility in branding and promotional design. It effectively showcases niche expertise in entertainment and fashion. Learn how to craft yours here.
Industrial Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This industrial graphic designer resume emphasizes niche skills like CAD and technical illustration, which are essential for industrial applications. Measurable impacts enhance credibility. Learn how to refine your resume here.
Mobile App Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This mobile app graphic designer resume focuses on technical expertise in app-specific design tools and processes. It highlights measurable improvements like increased user retention. Learn how to enhance yours here.
Environmental Branding Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This environmental branding designer resume combines technical skills with measurable impacts like improved customer experiences. Collaboration with architects showcases teamwork. Learn how to craft your resume here.
Health Care Graphic Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This health care graphic designer resume emphasizes niche skills in patient education and health care branding. Measurable achievements like increased engagement enhance its impact. Learn how to tailor your resume here.
Graphic Design Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a Graphic Design Resume Example
As a graphic designer, your resume must demonstrate to potential employers that you excel in design and branding principles. Your graphic design resume should include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Display your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile at the top of the page. This information should be current and error-free so potential employers can easily contact you for an interview. If you have a digital portfolio of your latest and greatest designs, include a link here as well.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Create a profile by summarizing your graphic design qualifications
In about two to three sentences, summarize your professional background, relevant skills, and experience as a graphic designer. Use this section to make a strong, eye-catching introduction. Emphasize your unique strengths and integrate keywords from the job description to show you’re a good match for the position.
Consider how you’re a leading force within your field. For example, you could mention how you use data-driven insights to enhance your visual storytelling. Or, you can tell about your unique ability to streamline design workflows to increase efficiency and productivity.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Senior graphic designer with over 10 years of experience running design projects. Innovative leader who maintains a positive team dynamic and prioritizes efficiency in the creative process. Focused on boosting user engagement through strategic design initiatives.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Energetic associate graphic designer with nearly two years of experience working in an agency setting. Leverages Adobe Illustrator to create digital and print assets. Known for being attentive to brand consistency and delivering impactful design narratives for top brands.
3. Add your graphic design experience with compelling examples
In your work history section, list your most relevant experiences. Jobs, freelance work, internships, and school projects can be mentioned here. Create bullet points under each position to list your duties and achievements. Focus on those that best reflect the type of design work you would be doing for potential employers.
Think about your creative process from conceptualization to execution and which parts are most relevant to the job. Being in a digital field, describe how you’ve used design tools and software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Sketch. If you have experience in web design, talk about your familiarity with platforms like WordPress or Shopify.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Graphic Designer, Snowflake, Boston, MA
October 2016 – present
- Lead design efforts for major product launches across web, print, and digital marketing assets while maintaining brand consistency
- Create engaging infographics, e-books, landing pages, and other marketing assets
- Mentor a team of five junior designers to produce innovative design solutions that engage users and drive purchase intent for Snowflake’s services
- Increased customer sign-ups for a new cloud product by 20% in collaboration with copywriters and product marketing team
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Graphic Design Intern, SaraLu Foods, Remote
June 2022 – December 2022
- Gained hands-on experience in packaging design for over 200 products under the guidance of the senior graphic designer
- Used Adobe Illustrator to create marketing materials for digital and print use
- Created 40 sales presentations and marketing decks for national sales conferences and client meetings
- Maintained an asset library that included barcodes, presentations, sales sheets, and promotional imagery
- Improved retrieval times by 50% with the digitization of more than 1,000 design assets
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Quantifying your experience is a great way to highlight accomplishments and the impact of your work on a project outcome or client goal. Using numbers such as percentages, dollar signs, and other key performance indicators helps to demonstrate how your work contributed to the company’s bottom line and overall success.
Do
- “Manage the branding campaigns for 12 international clients, delivering all design assets on time or before deadlines”
Don’t
- “Take charge of all design needs for international branding campaigns”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
To stand out in a competitive job market and make it through ATS, plan on tailoring your resume for every position you apply for. Each graphic design job will be different. It’s your goal to demonstrate how you can meet the design expectations of potential employers and show you understand their needs.
Modify sections of your resume to customize it accordingly. For example, if a job emphasizes package design, bring any relevant projects into focus. If the ad mentions “visual identity,” “UX design,” or specific software names, work these terms into your resume if you’re qualified in these areas.
What if you don’t have experience?
If you’re a graphic designer with little to no experience, there are several things you can do to make up for it on your resume:
- Highlight your education: If you have a degree or certification in graphic design, include it on your resume. This will show you have the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the field.
- Include relevant coursework: If you don’t have much work experience, consider describing relevant classes you’ve taken. Demonstrate to potential employers you have the skills required for the job.
- Volunteer or freelance: Consider volunteering or freelancing to gain experience in the field. This will allow you to work on real-world projects and build your portfolio.
4. List any education and certifications relevant to graphic design
Whether in graphic design or a related fine arts field, four-year degrees are often a requirement for graphic design positions. Even if you haven’t graduated, start with your highest degree in your education section. You can provide the expected graduation date so hiring managers know when you’ll finish school.
If you’ve earned any design-related certifications, include those as well. Anything that sets you apart from other candidates will help your chances of an interview. Whether you’re an Adobe expert or you’ve had industry-specific training, list it here.
Education
Template
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in Graphic Design
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA | May 2019
Certifications
Template
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Adobe Certified Professional – Adobe Illustrator, Adobe, 2019
5. List key skills and proficiencies for graphic design
Create a skills list to show you have the perfect combination of hard and soft skills for the graphic design job. Technical (hard) skills are specific to your job, while soft skills are the capabilities and personality traits that allow you to succeed in any role. By listing both, you can show you have the technical expertise and personal qualities needed to excel. Here’s a list of common skills for your graphic design resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Adobe Suite | Attention to detail |
| Branding guidelines | Collaboration |
| Communication | Digital illustration |
| Font selection | Infographics |
| Mastery of design principles | Mobile and responsive design |
| Time management | Typography |
| User interface (UI)/UX design | Visual thinking |
Resume writer’s tip: Use descriptive action verbs
When describing your past experiences, it’s important to use powerful action verbs. These help create an impact when you’re delivering information, giving the reader a clear understanding of what you’ve done. By using action verbs, you can emphasize your role in the projects you’ve worked on and highlight the skills you’ve used on the job. Here are some examples:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Collaborated | Conceptualized |
| Created | Designed |
| Developed | Illustrated |
| Implemented | Managed |
| Produced | Revised |
How To Pick the Best Graphic Design Resume Template
Select a template that complements your aesthetic and showcases your design skills without too many graphics or competing colors. A cluttered layout can make it difficult to read and might call your design skills into question. Modern templates with a clean and simple format can go a long way.
While it’s important to have an eye-catching resume, ensure the actual content is easy to navigate. Use design principles to make enough room for your information, and avoid using fonts that are difficult to read.
Frequently Asked Questions: Graphic Design Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a graphic design job description?
Social media and e-commerce are driving the need for businesses and companies to increase their online presence. They depend on graphic designers like you to help create visuals for their marketing needs. This demand is projected to grow employment by about 3% over the next decade.
To compete for the best graphic design positions, your resume must align with the job description. That means using keywords and showing how you’re the ideal fit for the role. For example, if a company needs someone who can create compelling infographics, focus on your relevant experience in data visualization and graphic content creation.
What is the best graphic design resume format?
A graphic design resume should start with your most important information first — your unique technical design skills. The combination format is the best option for this approach, providing enough space for your hard and soft skills and a professional experience section. Once hiring managers know the extent of your abilities, they’ll go on to observe your progression in the field and success as a designer.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
To better tell the story of your graphic design career, draft a cover letter to complete your application. Here you can explain why you’re the best fit for the job. How will you use your design skills to add to the company’s visual strategy? This is your chance to speak to the employer’s needs and make a memorable connection with the hiring manager.
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Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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