If you seek a role as a graphic designer, the first step is writing a resume that positions you as a top candidate and highlights your qualifications, including knowledge of typography and branding guidelines. Review our list of tips, including examples, that can level up your resume.
As a graphic designer, your resume must demonstrate to potential employers your expertise in design and branding principles. Your graphic design resume should include these sections:
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
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.
As a graphic designer, show that you have a combination of hard and soft skills to prove your value to the company you’re applying to. 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 that you have the technical expertise and personal qualities needed to excel.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Expertise of branding guidelines | Attention to detail |
Font selection | Collaboration |
Mastery of design principles | Communication |
Proficient in Adobe Suite | Creativity |
Typography | Time management |
When describing your 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 is happening. By using action verbs, you can emphasize your role in the projects you’ve worked on and highlight the skills you’ll need on the job.
Here are some common action verbs to consider using on your graphic design resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Collaborated | Conceptualized |
Created | Designed |
Developed | Illustrated |
Implemented | Managed |
Produced | Revised |
In your work history section, list your most relevant experiences. Related jobs, internships, and school projects can be mentioned here. Create bullet points under each experience to list your duties and achievements. How many clients have you had? How are you on a team?
Graphic Designer, ABC Company, New York, NY
June 2021 – present
Graphic Designer, XYZ Agency, New York, NY
January 2019 – May 2021
When quantifying your experience as a graphic designer, it’s important to highlight your accomplishments and the impact of your work on the project’s or company’s success. Be specific and quantify your accomplishments when possible.
For example, instead of saying, “I designed a logo for a client,” you could say, “I designed a logo that increased the client’s sales by 20%.” By doing this, you’re not only highlighting your design skills but also demonstrating how your work contributed to the company’s success.
Here are some examples of how you can quantify your experience as a graphic designer:
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:
Even if you haven’t graduated yet, list your graphic design or related degree in your education section. You can provide the expected graduation date so hiring managers know when you’ll be finished with school.
If you’ve earned any design-related certifications, include those as well. Anything to help set you apart from other candidates is great to show your commitment to the field.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, September 2015 – May 2019
New York University, New York, NY
Certification
Peter Banning
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Neverland, NV 55555
A dynamic graphic designer with five years of experience in designing and developing visual concepts for various digital and print media. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Figma. Adept at collaborating with clients and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality designs that meet business objectives.
Graphic Designer, ABC Company, New York, NY
June 2021 – present
Graphic Designer, XYZ Agency, New York, NY
January 2019 – May 2021
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, September 2015 – May 2019
New York University, New York, NY
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