How To Write a Graphic Designer Resume
Your top-notch portfolio is a testament to your skills and abilities. However, your resume also plays a critical role in complementing your portfolio and showcasing your professional achievements. Make sure your resume highlights your unique strengths and talents to impress potential employers and land your dream job. Hiring managers will always hire you based on the quality of your graphic design work at the end of the day. Creating a strong accomplishment-driven resume can provide valuable insights and context for your graphic design projects. This will help prospective employers gain a better understanding of who you are as a candidate and why you’re the right fit for the position. Throughout our guide, we’ll provide expert tips to help you translate your graphic design experience into a professional resume.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
The professional profile is one of the most important sections to focus on as you build your resume. This is often the first thing the hiring manager sees when evaluating your application, so you want to make a strong first impression. In your opening sentence, include your title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that align with the job description. In the following sentences, you should create a brief snapshot of your career to help hiring managers better understand your industry expertise.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Graphic Design Specialist with seven years of experience specializing in web design, CSS, creative thinking, and InDesign. A proven track record of delivering innovative visual solutions and UX designs to enhance the user experience.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A Creative Graphic Designer with entry-level experience specializing in web design, motion graphics, brand messaging, and illustration. Adept at developing engaging visual solutions to establish cohesive brand identities for clients.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Your professional experience section should primarily be used to establish context for your graphic design projects and achievements. For instance, if you were providing graphic design solutions for digital marketing campaigns, consider incorporating monetary figures or metrics to establish a sense of scope for the hiring manager. Although the end result of your graphic design work will always be the primary factor in whether or not you receive an interview, providing additional information for prospective employers can help strengthen your application.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Senior Graphic Designer, Cadence Marketing Solutions Inc., Boston, MA
October 2017 – Present
- Manage and lead a team of 15+ designers to produce high-quality marketing materials for web development projects and rebranding initiatives valued at up to $500K, including graphic design, photography, custom logos, and website design
- Collaborate with clients, senior executives, copywriters, and marketers to define strategic direction for designs based on market indicators and brand identity
- Identify visual solutions for an underperforming retail brand, develop digital marketing materials, and contribute to a 150% increase in sales revenue
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Junior Graphic Designer, Lorenna Designs, Seattle, WA
December 2021 – Present
- Design and develop engaging graphic elements for client websites, social media platforms, and product packaging, including custom logos and illustrations
- Collaborate with clients to develop engaging graphic design solutions based on market trends, brand identity, and target demographics
- Coordinate with two graphic designers to execute a rebranding initiative for a client account valued at $80K, including the creation of custom graphics and web layouts
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Once you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or digital arts, you should consider pursuing additional certifications to add to your resume. This is especially important if you’re interested in web development positions. In this instance, you might want to obtain a UX Design Professional certification to show prospective employers that you’ve cultivated expertise in the technical side of graphic design.
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- UX Design Professional Certificate, Coursera, 2018
- Adobe Certified Expert – Adobe InDesign, 2015
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Graphic Design
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, PA September 2012 – June 2016
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
To ensure compliance with applicant tracking systems (ATS), you’ll need to incorporate skills and key terms that align with the job description. Companies use ATS to identify qualified candidates using software algorithms based on specific keywords. However, it’s also important to feature appropriate skill sets to show hiring managers you have the ideal qualifications for the role. As you build your resume, you should make a point to showcase your usage of these various skills in your bullet points and professional profile in addition to your skills section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Suite | Adobe Illustrator |
| Adobe Photoshop | Brand Marketing |
| Brand Messaging | Client Relations |
| Communication | Creative Thinking |
| Digital Marketing | Graphic Design |
| InDesign | Marketing |
| Motion Graphics | Print Design |
| Project Management | Typography |
| Visual Design | UX Design |
| Visual Solutions | Web Design |
5. Include your graphic design portfolio at the top of your resume
Although your resume content is important, your portfolio of work will always be the determining factor in whether or not the hiring manager brings you in for the interview. You should provide a hyperlink to your website in your contact information section or professional profile. This will ensure prospective employers can easily access and review your portfolio.
How to Pick the Best Graphic Designer Resume Template
Unlike typical resumes, presentation is a critical element of graphic designer job applications. If the hiring manager sees a bland, poorly designed template, this could make for a negative first impression. In fact, you may want to consider creating your own resume template, as this could serve as an extension of your portfolio. Whether you select a pre-made template or design your own, be sure to use a top-down approach, as you want to keep your document organized even while refining the aesthetics.
Graphic Designer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Skyler Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
www.skylerthompsondesigns.com
123 Windermere Rd., Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A Creative Graphic Designer with entry-level experience specializing in web design, motion graphics, brand messaging, and illustration. Adept at developing engaging visual solutions to establish cohesive brand identities for clients.
Key Skills
- Graphic Design
- Adobe Creative Suite
- InDesign
- Web Design
- Motion Graphics
Professional Experience
Junior Graphic Designer, Lorenna Designs, Seattle, WA
December 2021 – Present
- Design and develop engaging graphic elements for client websites, social media platforms, and product packaging, including custom logos and illustrations
- Collaborate with clients to develop engaging graphic design solutions based on market trends, brand identity, and target demographics
- Coordinate with two graphic designers to execute a rebranding initiative for a client account valued at $80K, including the creation of custom graphics and web layouts
Graphic Design Intern, SKC Marketing and Design, Seattle, WA
May 2021 – December 2021
- Conducted marketing research on demographics and marketing to determine best design for clients based on brand aesthetics and identity
- Coordinated with design team to develop branding concepts, product marketing ideas, logos, brochures, and product packaging designs for a wide range of clients
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Graphic Design
University of Washington, Seattle, WA September 2017 – May 2021
Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]example.com
www.kevinmorrisondesigns.com
123 W Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
A Graphic Design Specialist with seven years of experience specializing in web design, CSS, creative thinking, and InDesign. A proven track record of delivering innovative visual solutions and UX designs to enhance the user experience.
Professional Experience
Graphic Designer, Stellar Graphic Design Solutions, Detroit, MI
November 2019 – Present
- Collaborate with a team of five graphic designers and web developers to execute web design projects for clients valued at $100K-$300K
- Deliver high-quality custom graphics, logos, typography, UX designs, and email templates to improve user engagement and reduce bounce rates by up to 20%
- Develop custom logos and graphics and create a cohesive brand identity for an online gift company, resulting in a 50% increase in social media engagement
Graphic Designer, SKC Marketing and Design, Detroit, MI
May 2016 – November 2019
- Conducted marketing research on demographics and marketing to determine best design for clients based on brand aesthetics and identity
- Coordinated with design team to develop branding concepts, product marketing ideas, logos, brochures, and product packaging designs for a wide range of clients
Key Skills
- Digital Marketing
- Graphic Design
- UX Design
- Adobe Illustrator
- InDesign
Certifications
- UX Design Professional Certificate, Coursera, 2018
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Digital Arts & Media Design
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI September 2012 – May 2016
Jasmine Brown
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
www.jasminebrowndesigns.com
123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A Senior Graphic Designer with 10+ years of experience specializing in brand messaging, digital marketing, project management, and UX design. A proven track record of defining high-impact visual solutions to drive brand awareness and sales growth. Adept at building and leading exceptional design teams to execute projects for enterprise clients.
Professional Experience
Senior Graphic Designer, Cadence Marketing Solutions Inc., Boston, MA
October 2017 – Present
- Manage and lead a team of 15+ designers to produce high-quality marketing materials for web development projects and rebranding initiatives valued at up to $500K, including graphic design, photography, custom logos, and website design
- Collaborate with clients, senior executives, copywriters, and marketers to define strategic direction for designs based on market indicators and brand identity
- Identify visual solutions for an underperforming retail brand, develop digital marketing materials, and contribute to a 150% increase in sales revenue
Graphic Designer, Aegis Graphic Design Inc., Boston, MA
May 2013 – October 2017
- Managed graphic design advertising projects for client accounts valued at $500K-$1M, led graphic designers and marketing teams, and ensured compliance with client requirements
- Created design pitches and delivered presentations to enterprise clients to secure million-dollar contracts with national and international businesses
- Developed custom artwork and layouts for banners, posters, publications, websites, flyers, and print and digital signage
Key Skills
- InDesign
- Creative Thinking
- Typography
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Digital Marketing
Certifications
- Adobe Certified Expert – Adobe InDesign, 2016
- Adobe Certified Expert – Adobe Photoshop, 2016
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Digital Arts & Media Design
Boston College, Boston, MA September 2009 – May 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Graphic Design Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for graphic design resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs you can use to accurately convey your professional experience. However, using the same verbs repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear redundant. Differentiating your usage of action verbs will help to improve the reading experience and keep your content fresh. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use during the resume-building process:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Conducted |
| Consulted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Designed | Developed |
| Drove | Enhanced |
| Generated | Identified |
| Illustrated | Implemented |
| Led | Managed |
| Performed | Presented |
| Supported | |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for graphic designers will grow by 3% from 2021 to 2031, which amounts to over 24,800 new openings each year. Many companies need skilled graphic designers to help them define engaging visual assets for their brands. Although the number of positions is expected to grow, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to differentiate yourself from the competition.
For example, if a company is seeking a graphic designer who excels in web development, you’d want to highlight your knowledge of UX design principles on your resume. If an organization is seeking a candidate with a strong background in social media marketing, you’d want to highlight specific examples of you creating visual solutions and graphics for digital marketing campaigns. By tailoring your resume to the job description, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing your next job interview.
What is the best graphic design resume format?+
You should utilize a reverse chronological format for graphic design resumes in most instances. This places your most recent experience at the top of the document for the hiring manager to review. There are exceptions to this rule, however. For example, if you’re graduating from college and are currently working outside of the industry, you’d want to showcase graphic design projects you worked on as a student at the top of your document instead. It’s also best to avoid using a functional resume format even if you lack industry experience, as skill-based resumes are largely outdated in modern hiring practices.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
If a prospective employer asks for a cover letter, you’ll want to take steps to carefully tailor it towards that specific organization. In the middle paragraphs, you should mention something about the company’s reputation or their type of work and why this draws you to apply for the position. Not only will this show hiring managers that you’ve done your research, but it will also send a clear message that you’re genuinely interested in the position. For more information, you can view our graphic designer cover letter guide.