Illustrator Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-level
Mark Harris
[email protected]
(555) 555-1234
2719 Monroe Street, Houston, TX 77002
Profile
A dynamic Illustrator with extensive experience using digital illustration tools such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign to create print and digital marketing materials. Adept at collaborating with diverse teams and clients to develop a cohesive brand identity.
Key Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Layout Design
- Marketing Illustration
- Graphic Design
- InDesign
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, GPA 3.1
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON Houston, TX, September 2014 – June 2018
Professional Experience
Illustrator, Clover Studios, Houston, TX
January 2019 – Present
- Conceptualize and illustrate brand logos, social media materials, and print marketing materials based on client requirements
- Seek client approval for illustrated materials by submitting rough sketches for ideas based on client briefs
- Design and develop engaging character and scene illustrations
Junior Graphic Designer, HTX Marketing, Houston, TX
April 2017 – December 2018
- Supported with market research to help determine brand direction for clients
- Coordinated with creative and production departments to conceptualize creative concepts for digital and print materials
- Created illustrations for brochures and product packaging for clients
Katherine Johnson
[email protected]
(555) 444-0011
4367 McKinley Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
Profile
A Professional Illustrator with eight years of experience collaborating with clients to conceptualize and create high-quality illustrations. A strong history of using modern design principles to produce engaging visual solutions and enhance brand recognition.
Professional Experience
Digital Illustrator, Black Cat Studio, Denver, CO
November 2016 – Present
- Collaborate with illustrators and graphic designers to create 2D and 3D illustrations for client projects valued at up to $300K, including brand logos, custom typography, and digital marketing assets
- Convert hand-drawn illustrations into digital illustrations, prepare digital assets for print production, and attend creative meetings with client stakeholders
- Create custom artwork, logos, and 2D illustrations for a client rebranding initiative, contributing to a 150% increase in social media followers
Illustrator/Animator, ThinkBIG Designs, Denver, CO
May 2014 – February 2016
- Coordinated with web and graphic designers to create interactive animations, custom logos, and illustrations for client websites
- Created hand-drawn and digital illustrations for print marketing materials, including brochures, magazines, and catalogs
- Delivered high-quality illustrations and animations for social media content
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, Illustration Emphasis
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER Denver, CO, September 2008 – June 2012
Key Skills
- Digital Illustration
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Animation
- Corporate Branding
- Communication
Certifications
- Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design Using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe, 2018
Jack Kingston
[email protected]
(555) 545-2211
3747 Forest Avenue, New York, NY 10013
Profile
A Senior Illustrator with 10+ years of experience in creating physical and digital illustrations for enterprise clients. A strong history of leading dynamic teams in both commercial and artistic settings to develop engaging design concepts.
Professional Experience
Senior Visual Designer, Area 21, New York, NY
November 2015 – Present
- Lead the design and production team in the conceptualization and creation of digital design elements for all marketing channels
- Collaborate with executive, marketing, and creative team members to develop engaging creative materials while meeting business objectives
- Ensure visual consistency of all brand materials, and establish a comprehensive brand style guide
Digital Production Artist, Black Rock Creative, Brooklyn, NY
July 2011 – February 2015
- Supported senior design staff by managing multiple design projects and interacting with clients throughout production
- Created email marketing templates based on mock-ups made in Adobe Photoshop
- Prepared graphics and illustrations to be used on marketing materials across all channels
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts
PRATT INSTITUTE Brooklyn, NY, September 2007 – June 2011
Key Skills
- Digital Media
- Adobe Illustrator
- Typography
- 2D & 3D Animation
- Creative Direction
Certifications
- Branding and Digital Marketing Certificate, Pratt Institute, 2016
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Illustrator Resumes
Hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) look for key skills and action verbs when reviewing resumes to eliminate unqualified candidates and highlight those with unique skills to the position. When an ATS scans your resume, it’s looking for specific words and phrases that align with what the company is looking for. The more relevant skills and keywords you include in your resume, the more likely the hiring manager is to see it, and the more likely you’ll be called in for an interview.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Suite | Art Design |
| 2D Animation | 3D Animation |
| Branding | Character Animation |
| Character Modeling | Communication |
| Creativity | CSS |
| Digital Illustration | Drawing |
| Hand Drawn | HTML |
| Illustrator | InDesign |
| Innovation | Layout Design |
| Marketing | Photoshop |
| UX/UI Design | |
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Built | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Delivered | Designed |
| Developed | Drew |
| Executed | Identified |
| Illustrated | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Oversaw | Presented |
| Produced | Provided |
| Sketched | |
Tips for Writing a Better Illustrator Resume
Showcase your technical illustration skills and software experience
Professional illustration requires extensive experience with, and knowledge of, various techniques and tools that are needed to create different types of design materials. When browsing job descriptions, you’ll notice that many of them list the specific programs and design methods they use on a regular basis. If you possess these desired skills, it’s important to highlight them effectively in your resume to ensure the hiring manager is aware of them.
In the example below, the candidate highlights their technical acumen directly in the professional profile to immediately show hiring managers that they have the qualifications to succeed in the position:
- A dynamic Illustrator with extensive experience using digital illustration tools, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign to create print and digital marketing materials. Adept at collaborating with diverse teams and clients to develop a cohesive brand identity.
Highlight Your Most Compelling Illustrations and Projects
It’s important to showcase your career achievements and projects using tangible examples while building your resume. Hiring managers want to gain an understanding of who you are and what you do well. Generic content and cliched bullet points won’t provide any insights into what makes you a talented and qualified illustrator. In the example below, the candidate features a multitude of key projects that demonstrate their expertise in both 2D and 3D illustrations, which may differentiate them from other applicants during the job search:
- Collaborate with illustrators and graphic designers to create 2D and 3D illustrations for client projects valued at up to $300K, including brand logos, custom typography, and digital marketing assets
- Convert hand-drawn illustrations into digital illustrations, prepare digital assets for print production, and attend creative meetings with client stakeholders
- Create custom artwork, logos, and 2D illustrations for a client rebranding initiative, contributing to a 150% increase in social media followers
How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will only be an increase of 1,700 job opportunities for fine artists, which include illustrators, painters, and sculptors, over the next 10 years. With these projections in mind, it’s important for aspiring illustrators to take the time to optimize their resumes so they can stand out from the crowd.
Hiring managers already know what they’re looking for when they begin the recruiting process, and as such, they create detailed job descriptions with the specific skills and qualities that qualified applicants should possess. To give yourself the best chance of landing an interview, your resume should mirror the attributes listed in the job description.
If you’re not sure what skills to include in your resume, start with the requirements listed near the top of the job description, as hiring managers often list their most desired qualities first. You should also be sure to include any skills or action verbs that are mentioned more than once in the job description, and include specific examples of times you’ve used these skills in your professional experience.