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Graphic Designer Resume Example & Writing Guide

  • What is a graphic designer?
  • Why use this graphic designer resume?
  • How to write a great graphic designer resume?
  • Which key skills are relevant to a graphic designer resume?

Graphic designers play a crucial role in helping visualize complex concepts and designs. If you’re currently working as a graphic designer and want to take your career to the next level, check out our resume example and writing tips.

What is a graphic designer?

Graphic designers are responsible for designing visual concepts for different projects. These could be in the form of logos, infographics, sketches, or art designs. While some graphic designers work full-time jobs at marketing firms, ad agencies, software companies, and other organizations, many of them prefer freelance work with flexible working hours. 

Why use this graphic designer resume?

This graphic designer resume is ideal for individuals who have some experience in the field. The resume begins with the applicant’s name and contact details and then moves on to a professional summary. The objective of this summary is to introduce the applicant, mention their previous experience, and highlight some of their key accomplishments to help them stand out.

The next section focuses on the applicant’s technical skills and proficiencies. Unlike traditional resumes, this “skills” section is divided into three parts: print, photography, and multimedia. When hiring graphic designers, organizations are on the lookout for people who have created visually appealing graphics across multiple media platforms (print and online). This is why dividing the applicant’s skills into different categories is important. 

The applicant’s professional experience is listed in a reverse chronological sequence, with the most recent job title mentioned first. Each job detail is divided into two sections: daily tasks and key accomplishments. It’s important to note that this section includes several industry-specific keywords that can be found in multiple graphic designer job postings.

Most graphic designer jobs require a college education or some certification courses in art design, multimedia, or a similar discipline. Similarly, graphic designers are expected to be well-versed in using a wide variety of graphic designing and editing tools. For this reason, the final section of the resume focuses on the applicant’s education, technical proficiency, and licenses/certifications. 

How to write a great graphic designer resume?

Here are a few tips on writing an effective graphic designer resume:

  1. Don’t focus too much on adding designs and graphics. At the end of the day, the resume still needs to be parsed through an applicant tracking system, which is why it’s important to focus more on words rather than graphics.

  2. If you have a portfolio, make sure to add a link to that portfolio in your resume. This section can be placed towards the end of your resume.

  3. Include key accomplishments in your resume and back them with relevant facts, figures, and statistics. 

Which key skills are relevant to a graphic designer resume?

As a graphic designer, you should be familiar with different editing tools and possess the necessary people skills to succeed. Here are a few skills worth considering:

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

  • Ability to work under pressure and meet short deadlines

  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite

  • Photography and illustration skills

  • Photo and video editing skills

  • Social media management

  • Knowledge of print media

  • Storytelling skills

Example

Summary example

Highly creative and multitalented Graphic Designer with extensive experience in multimedia, marketing and print design. Exceptional collaborative and interpersonal skills; dynamic team player with well-developed written and verbal communication abilities. Highly skilled in client and vendor relations and negotiations; talented at building and maintaining “win-win” partnerships. Passionate and inventive creator of innovative marketing strategies and campaigns; accustomed to performing in deadline-driven environments with an emphasis on working within budget requirements

Employment history example

Art Director – Graphic Design at Cygnet Media Productions, Long Beach

2015 - Present

Manage and coordinate graphic design projects from concept through completion. Work closely with clients to create vision, conceive designs, and consistently meet deadlines and requirements. Build, motivate, and direct design and production teams. Coordinate freelance designers, consultants and vendors to meet all project requirements. Create and conduct highly persuasive sales and marketing presentations. Convert features to benefits to achieve client objectives. Manage all operational, strategic, financial, quote/bid, staffing, and administrative functions.

Key Achievements:

  • Completed client projects worth up to $470,000.

  • Provided proposal layout and design for million-dollar corporate contracts under extremely tight deadlines.

Senior Graphic Designer at Market Studios, Norwalk

2010 - 2015

Translated subject matter into concrete design for newsletters, promotional materials and sales collateral. Created design theme and graphics for marketing and sales presentations, training videos and corporate websites. Participated in team effort to produce streamlined production of policy manuals and educational materials for newly hired employees and freelance designers.

Key Achievements:

  • Earned several awards for providing graphic design support to both headquarter employees and hundreds of field offices.

  • Coordinated staff participation in community-sponsored charitable events.

Graphic Designer at Graphic Designer, Huntington Beach

2005 - 2010

Created new design themes for marketing and collateral materials. Collaborated with creative team to design and produce computer-generated artwork for marketing and promotional materials. Participated in production of print and promotional items for key clients under direction of Marketing Department.

Key Achievements:

  • Consistently recognized for fresh and innovative ideas and applications.

  • Developed new art-proofing system that increased overall quality of production and improved customer satisfaction to 97%.

  • Recruited by ABC Corporation to become their Senior Graphic Designer.

Education example

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Minor in Graphic Arts at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles

Skills example

  • Adobe Photoshop

  • PageMaker

  • Macromedia Flash

  • Black & White Photography

  • Brochures & Newsletters

  • Web site Design

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