9 Illustrator Resume Examples for 2024

Illustrators need strong resumes to show their skills and experience. This article offers proven resume examples and strategic advice. Learn how to structure your resume, highlight your portfolio, and use key industry terms. Each section will boost your chances of getting noticed.

  Compiled and approved by Grace Abrams
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in common for the best illustrator resumes.

  • Show Numerical Impact: The best resumes use numbers. Metrics like project turnaround time, client satisfaction rates, portfolio size, and social media engagement are common. These help employers see your value.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, UI/UX design, vector illustration, and digital painting. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Show Your Creative Range: Employers look for range in styles and techniques. Phrases like variety of styles or multiple techniques show you can adapt.

Get your resume scored

Want to know if your illustrator resume stands out? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of how your application looks to employers. It checks for key elements that hiring managers in the creative industry look for, helping you understand your resume's strengths and areas for improvement.

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Education position on resume

When you prepare your resume, the order you list your education depends on your work experience. If you are just starting out or are a recent graduate, put your education section near the top of your resume. This shows employers your relevant academic training right away. For illustrators, highlight courses or projects related to artistic skills and software proficiency.

If you have been working for some time, list your experience first. In this case, your practical skills take precedence. Still, mention any specific illustrator-related education such as a Bachelor's in Fine Arts or certifications in design software. Those specific to your craft show your dedication and expertise.

Showcase your portfolio

Include a link to your online portfolio. Employers want to see your style and skill visually.

Also, consider adding thumbnail images or brief project descriptions, as this gives a quick snapshot of your work directly on your resume.

Ideal resume length for an illustrator

Keep your resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. This helps you focus on showing your most relevant work. Your top illustrations and design projects should be at the forefront. It's more important to showcase your best work rather than everything you've done.

If you have more experience, consider a two-page resume. Use the first page to highlight your top projects and skills. On the second page, show earlier works that demonstrate the breadth of your experience. Remember, clear and easy-to-read resumes are best. Do not reduce the font size or margins to fit more content. If necessary, it's better to remove less relevant sections.

List relevant software skills

Illustrators need to know software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. List these prominently under skills.

Mention if you are proficient with any specialized software or tools. This can set you apart from others.

Beat the resume scanner

When you send your resume for an illustrator position, you might not know that a computer could look at it first. This system is called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It checks if your resume has words and phrases that match the job. Here are ways to make sure your resume gets past the ATS and into a person's hands.

  • Use keywords from the job posting. For example, if the job asks for 'Adobe Creative Suite proficiency,' make sure this phrase is in your resume.
  • Show your work history clearly. List jobs where you worked as an illustrator or did similar tasks. Use simple headings like 'Work Experience' and list each job with the company name, your role, and the dates you worked there.

Customize for the job

To get your resume noticed, show how your drawing skills fit the job. Point out work that shows your strength in visual storytelling. Each point should make it clear why you're a good match. Use terms they use in the job ad.

  • Look at the job ad for the specific style they want, like digital or traditional, and list projects where you've used it. For example, Created digital illustrations for a children’s book series.
  • For a senior position, highlight your experience in managing projects or teams. Say something like, Led a team of freelance artists for a multimedia campaign.
  • If you are coming from another field, talk about your design-related tasks. Maybe you did graphics for presentations. Mention that.

Essential skills for illustrators

As an illustrator, your resume should show a range of technical abilities and software knowledge that are vital for your craft. Here's a list of key skills to include:

  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Digital painting
  • Graphic design
  • Concept art
  • Character design
  • Storyboarding
  • 3D modeling
  • Typography
  • Print design
  • Animation

Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use to filter resumes. ATS often search for specific skills related to the job. So, if you have experience with vector illustration or know how to use Sketch, include them too.

Remember, you don't need to list every skill you have. Focus on those that match the job you want. For example, if you aim to work in children's book publishing, highlight skills like watercolor techniques and story development. Tailoring your skills to your desired role will make your resume stand out. Think about what makes you good at your job and show this on your resume.

Quantify your creative impact

You can show your value as an illustrator by including clear metrics on your resume. Numbers can help you stand out and make it easy for hiring managers to see your impact. Think about how your work has made a difference and try to quantify it.

Here are some ways you might measure your contributions:

  • Number of projects completed: 15 illustrated book covers, 30+ marketing illustrations
  • Efficiency improvements: reduced project turnaround time by 25%, streamlined illustration process
  • Client satisfaction: 95% positive feedback, 20 repeat clients
  • Sales and marketing impact: illustrations contributed to a 30% increase in product sales, featured in 10+ major industry publications
  • Social media engagement: illustrated posts that garnered 50k+ likes, 10 viral images
  • Educational influence: developed 5 educational graphics used by 100+ schools
  • Licensing deals: secured 3 contracts for merchandise use
  • Exhibitions and awards: displayed work at 5 national galleries, won 2 industry awards

When you're unsure about exact numbers, it's okay to estimate. Think about the hours you've saved on a project or the increase in followers on social media due to your work. Use these estimates to show the scope of your impact as an illustrator.

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