7 Graphic Designer Resume Examples for 2024

Creating a resume as a graphic designer demands showcasing your creative skills while highlighting your professional accomplishments. This article offers proven resume samples and vital tips to help you display your design expertise and work experience effectively. We dive into the essentials – from the right font choices to detailing your project portfolio – ensuring your resume attracts the attention it deserves in a competitive field.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in standout graphic design resumes.

  • Numbers Show Impact: Good resumes show success with numbers. You might see increased user engagement, improved click-through rates, reduced project turnaround time, or boosted client retention. These tell us how you made a real difference.

  • Match Your Skills With The Job: Include skills you have that the job needs. Some popular ones are Adobe Creative Suite, UX/UI design, brand development, HTML/CSS, and content management systems. Pick the ones that apply to you and the job.

  • Highlight Relevant Experience: Talk about jobs that show you've worked in graphic design. Use phrases like managed website redesign or developed company branding to show your experience clearly.

Positioning your education

If you've just finished school or a special graphic design course, place your education at the top of your resume. Show your most recent and relevant schooling here. This shows employers you have fresh skills. If you have work experience in design, your education can go after your job history. Always keep the education section simple and direct.

Highlight relevant software skills

Make sure to include software skills that are important for a graphic designer. Programs like Adobe Creative Suite should be listed. Also, mention any new tools you use, like Sketch or InVision. This shows you are up-to-date with the tools of the trade. This is a must-have in design jobs.

Keep your resume short

A one-page resume works best, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience in graphic design. Use space well and only include work and skills that matter for the job you want. For those with more time in the field, two pages are fine, but keep it focused and to the point.

Showcase your design portfolio

In your resume, link to your online portfolio. This is where you let your creative design work speak for you. Make sure your portfolio is easy to find and navigate. Employers in this field want to see what you can create. A strong portfolio can be more important than a long list of jobs.

Prepare for resume screeners

When you apply for a job as a graphic designer, your resume might be looked at first by a computer program called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This system checks if your resume has the right words that match the job. You need to make sure your resume can be read by both the ATS and a person.

Here are two tips to help you:

  • Use keywords from the job description. For example, if the job asks for experience with Adobe Creative Suite, make sure you mention these exact words in your resume.
  • Keep your resume layout simple. Do not add images or graphics to the text parts because the ATS might not read it correctly. You can show your design skills in your portfolio instead.

Remember, the goal is to make sure the ATS understands your resume so it can recommend you to the hiring manager.

Tailor your design portfolio

As a graphic designer, show work that fits the job you want. If the job asks for web design skills, show websites you made. If the job wants print work, show flyers or posters you designed. Use your resume to point to your best work for the job.

  • Add links to your online portfolio with work relevant to the job.
  • For jobs asking for brand work, include brand identity projects you've done.
  • If a job description mentions user interface design, make sure your resume highlights related projects.

Quantify your design impact

When you create your resume, showing your impact with numbers can make a big difference. Numbers help hiring managers see the real value you have added in your past work. Here are ways you can do this:

  • Include the percentage increase in user engagement after a website redesign.
  • Show the number of social media shares that a graphic campaign you designed received.

Think through your past projects. Did you design graphics that helped a client's marketing campaign? If so, try to find out how much their customer base grew. Maybe you made a user interface that made things easier for users. You could mention how much you reduced the time it takes to complete a task.

  • Estimate how your designs have decreased page load times or increased sales for an online store.
  • Mention if your work led to a reduction in customer support issues because the information was clearer.

Even if you are not sure of exact numbers, you can often get a good idea. Talk to your past clients or colleagues. Look at analytics or reports. Then, use these numbers to show how good you are at your job.

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