Artist Resume Examples and Templates
20 Best Illustrator Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
By Andrew Stoner
, Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner
Read More
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Last Updated:
June 26, 2025
A good illustrator resume focuses on your main strengths like color theory, infographic design, or storyboarding. Give examples of your success as an illustrator or in similar roles, and show your knowledge base by citing any degree or certificate programs you’ve done. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a persuasive resume showing your best illustrator skills.
Key takeaways:
- Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your experience section – this helps you focus your resume on the role of illustrator.
- Spell out the positive impact of your work. Describe how your illustrations helped entertain, educate, or persuade their intended audience.
- Follow the combination resume format to provide all required information while positioning yourself for illustrator jobs that interest you.
Most Popular Illustrator Resumes
Adobe Illustrator Resume Example
Why this Adobe Illustrator resume example is strong:
Jordan’s resume emphasizes deep technical expertise with Adobe Illustrator, which is often essential for employers in brand and marketing spaces. With clear role progression and quantified details, the resume shows creative impact in commercial settings.
🔗 Learn how to list skills on a resume
Creative Illustrator Resume Example
Why this creative illustrator resume example is strong:
Lena’s resume clearly showcases the variety in her creative background while connecting visual style to reader and brand impact. Her consistent work with publishing and fashion clients reflects adaptability.
🔗 Explore resume objective examples
Entry-Level Illustrator Resume Example
Why this entry-level illustrator resume example is strong:
Marcus’s resume emphasizes education-backed experience and relevant internships, showing potential and dedication. The focus on collaborative projects and software skills aligns with what junior roles typically demand.
🔗 How to write a resume with no experience
Freelance Illustrator Resume Example
Why this freelance illustrator resume example is strong:
Isabel’s resume shows sustained independent work, client impact, and adaptability. Her skills in managing entire projects speak to professionalism, a major asset in freelance work.
🔗 How to list freelance work on a resume
Graphic Designer Illustrator Resume Example
Why this graphic designer illustrator resume example is strong:
Anthony’s resume effectively combines traditional graphic design skills with a unique illustrative flair. The variety of deliverables and industries shows versatility, while his timeline reflects steady growth.
🔗 Best resume formats for creative professionals
Technical Illustrator Resume Example
Why this technical illustrator resume example is strong:
Cameron’s resume clearly targets technical industries, highlighting specialized tools and regulatory compliance. Each role connects illustration skills with business outcomes, showing a focus on clarity and precision.
🔗 Learn how to list education on a resume
Illustrator Skills Resume Example
Why this illustrator skills resume example is strong:
Maya’s resume is organized around relevant and diverse skills that appeal to creative employers. The balance of hard and soft design capabilities shows adaptability.
🔗 See the best resume skills to include
Concept Artist Resume Example
Why this concept artist resume example is strong:
Jonas’s resume blends creativity with industry impact, making it ideal for entertainment-focused employers. He includes deliverables like “shipped games” and team leadership, showing results.
🔗 How to build a professional resume
Fashion Illustrator Writer Resume Example
Why this fashion illustrator resume example is strong:
Sofia’s resume is niche-specific, calling out techniques and platforms used in the fashion industry. The combination of traditional and digital skills gives her broad appeal.
Medical Illustrator Resume Example
Why this medical illustrator resume example is strong:
Drake’s resume combines academic credentials with real-world publishing results. His work demonstrates high specialization and supports scientific integrity, a priority in medical illustration.
🔗 How to list certifications on a resume
Product Illustrator Resume Example
Why this product illustrator resume example is strong:
Claire’s resume speaks directly to employers in consumer goods by focusing on packaging, brand alignment, and product visuals. It also demonstrates close collaboration with product and marketing teams.
Book Illustrator Resume Example
Why this book illustrator resume example is strong:
Elliot’s resume highlights both freelance success and editorial collaboration. It appeals to publishers by showcasing visual storytelling skills and experience managing long-format projects.
🔗 How to list work experience on a resume
Scientific Illustrator Resume Example
Why this scientific illustrator resume example is strong:
Talia’s resume makes it clear she understands both the science and the art. Her academic background paired with experience in education-focused visuals shows strong cross-disciplinary expertise.
🔗 How to list degree on resume
Editorial Illustrator Resume Example
Why this editorial illustrator resume example is strong:
Devon’s resume emphasizes speed, concept development, and media collaboration—skills essential in editorial illustration. It also lists well-known publications, adding credibility.
🔗 How many jobs should you list on a resume?
Packaging Illustrator Resume Example
Why this packaging illustrator resume example is strong:
Nina’s resume showcases her ability to improve visual branding through packaging. She clearly outlines deliverables tied to commercial impact, especially in retail.
🔗 Learn how to write your first job resume
Character Illustrator Resume Example
Why this character illustrator resume example is strong:
Brandon’s resume focuses tightly on character art. He ties creative output to production needs, making him ideal for animation or game studios.
🔗 Check out core competencies for resumes
UX Illustrator Resume Example
Why this UX illustrator resume example is strong:
Tessa’s resume is focused and practical, speaking directly to tech hiring managers. It shows how her art impacts usability, not just aesthetics.
Visual Development Artist Resume Example
Why this visual development artist resume example is strong:
Carmen’s resume blends storytelling with technical skill. She shows a clear contribution to collaborative projects, essential in team-based creative industries.
🔗 Find out what hobbies to put on a resume
Tattoo Illustrator Resume Example
Why this tattoo illustrator resume example is strong:
Rico’s resume highlights creativity and client interaction—two pillars of the tattoo world. His mix of traditional and digital skills appeals to both in-shop and online markets.
🔗 Resume vs. CV – what’s the difference?
Infographic Illustrator Resume Example
Why this infographic illustrator resume example is strong:
Dana’s resume shows how her visuals support real-world communication goals. The emphasis on simplifying complex information makes her appealing for journalism and nonprofits alike.
🔗 How to update your resume effectively
Illustrator Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write an Illustrator Resume
A template can help you organize your career information for an effective illustrator resume. Your illustrator resume should usually have these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
Before starting work on your resume, jot down any preferences you have for your target job duties, company size, or work culture. What type of publication or product interests you? Which medium or mode of illustration? These notes will help you figure out and emphasize your best career details as you develop each section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles, including a portfolio of your work. When applying to jobs, double-check your contact info for accuracy – it’s as important as anything else on your resume.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST 09876 | LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Write a brief summary of your illustrator qualifications
Impress hiring managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five main reasons you can excel as their next illustrator. Consider what sets you apart from other candidates, such as your:
- Years of experience creating similar visuals
- Work style, strengths, or specialties related to the job at hand
- College degree(s) or certifications in your field
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)
Example:
Illustrator with 10 years of experience producing hand-drawn and digital artwork for editorial publications and commercial clients. Known for expressive line work and bold color palettes. Work featured in The New Yorker, Wired, and global brand campaigns.
3. Brainstorm and select your professional highlights
View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success in roles similar to the one you’re pursuing.
For each job in your recent work history, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to feature as bullet points in this section. For an illustrator, this often means citing projects where you told a compelling story visually or produced graphics that shed light on a topic.
Example:
UX Illustrator, BrightPath Digital, Atlanta, GA | March 2021 – present
- Illustrated over 100 assets for in-app onboarding and help sections
- Worked closely with UX writers and product designers on visual alignment
- Created scalable SVGs to support responsive design needs
Freelance Visual Designer (UX Focus) | May 2018 – February 2021
- Produced icon sets and UI visuals for 15+ app startups
- Designed onboarding graphics that improved app retention by 22%
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When possible, cite relevant performance data and metrics to show the results you’ve achieved as an illustrator. Hard numbers put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your impact.
Do
- “Created 40+ editorial illustrations annually for a national magazine, increasing reader engagement by 20%”
Don’t
- “Responsible for drawing illustrations for a magazine”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
Before sending your resume, review it carefully against the illustrator job posting. Delete any details that don’t speak to the requirements, and consider using that space for more information about your relevant experience. This process takes extra time, obviously. But it can shorten your overall job search by giving you an edge over the many applicants who send a more general, less convincing resume.
What if you have no work experience?
Focus on your other credentials. Omit the “Professional Experience” section, and instead fill the page with details on relevant skills you’ve gained or projects you’ve worked on as an intern, volunteer, or student.
Regardless your background, know that resumes are flexible. They can and should take whatever shape and structure they need to present your qualifications for the job, whether that means a lengthy work experience section or none at all.
4. List any education and certifications relevant to an illustrator
With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Cite any credentials you’ve earned that speak to your artistic or technical abilities. Below are templates to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, ST] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant honors, coursework, or activities]
Example:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
[Description if the credential is lesser-known but relevant]
Examples:
Adobe Certified Professional – Illustrator, Adobe | 2024
5. List key illustrator skills and proficiencies
A skills section lets you quickly show the different ways you can contribute in your target position. It also helps your resume perform well on applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by many publishers and employers to screen candidates. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Suite | Animation basics |
| Character design | Color theory |
| Concept development | Cross-team collaboration |
| Digital illustration | Editorial layout |
| Hand drawing | Illustration for print |
| Infographic design | Logo illustration |
| Motion graphics support | Packaging illustration |
| Portfolio development | Print production |
| Procreate | Storyboarding |
| Time management | Typography |
| Vector illustration | |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and tell a compelling story about your experience.
The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your illustrator resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Animated |
| Clarified | Collaborated |
| Complemented | Conceptualized |
| Created | Decorated |
| Decreased | Delivered |
| Designed | Displayed |
| Drafted | Drew |
| Educated | Enhanced |
| Fostered | Generated |
| Grew | Highlighted |
| Illustrated | Improved |
| Increased | Integrated |
| Introduced | Managed |
| Organized | Outlined |
| Presented | Produced |
| Provided | Reduced |
| Refined | Rendered |
| Researched | Sketched |
| Streamlined | Translated |
| Updated | Visualized |
| Won | |
How To Pick the Best Illustrator Resume Template
The best resume templates are simple and easy to edit. Choose one that lets you quickly add, delete, flesh out, rearrange, and reorder sections. With a flexible design, you can tailor and optimize your resume for each job application.
Frequently Asked Questions: Illustrator Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with an illustrator job posting?
First, look closely at the job post text and note any words that are repeated or emphasized. Compare these phrases with the language in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, seek ways to align your resume language with the job posting while not copying phrases or misstating your background.
For example, if the organization seeks someone collaborative, call out that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or if the company publishes media in various languages, cite your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity.
What is the best illustrator resume format?
The combination or hybrid format, which merges a functional resume's profile section with a chronological resume's experience section. Most modern resumes (including the ones on this page) follow the combination format because it gives hiring managers the clearest view of an applicant's strengths and work history.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter sharpens your job application by answering the question, Why are you interested in this particular job? As with starting your resume, brainstorm your thoughts on a separate document or paper and then choose the most compelling ones as your foundation. When possible, quote or paraphrase text from the job posting and explain why it caught your attention.
Check Out Related Examples
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.
Written by professional resume writers and loved by hiring managers
Resume Templates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.