freelance graphic design resume examples

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Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024

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• Freelance Graphic Designer
• Visual Communication Specialist
• Art Director
• Digital Designer
• Creative Director

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• Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Tips

Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., freelance graphic designer resume sample.

A Freelance Graphic Designer's job is a blend of creativity and technical skills, with a dash of entrepreneurial business savvy. You're not only illustrating, designing logos, and manipulating images; you're also managing your business, building client relationships, and working remotely. It's essential to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry, as design trends ebb and flow rapidly. For example, minimalist design is currently all the rage, which means your portfolio should showcase your proficiency in this field. When writing your resume, ensure it reflects the breadth of your skills and experience, as well as your ability to manage your own business.

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Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your freelance graphic designer resume in 2024,    highlight relevant software proficiency.

As a Freelance Graphic Designer, your familiarity with software tools is crucial. Therefore, don’t just list them, but give context on how you’ve utilized tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch to create standout designs for various clients.

   Showcase business skills

You’re not just a designer, but a business owner, too. Highlight any experience you have managing client relationships, scheduling, invoicing, and marketing your services. Any evidence of your entrepreneurial spirit can make you stand out from other designers.

Freelance graphic designers work on the same kinds of projects as any other graphic designer, but as self-employed contractors. If you’re looking to pick up more freelance work, or to transition from freelance to regular employment, you’ll need a resume that emphasizes your ability to take initiative, work to a deadline, and understand your clients’ needs.

   Freelance graphic design projects

If you’ve been freelancing for a while, it might make sense to structure your work experience section according to different projects rather than clients. This lets you highlight your most impressive accomplishments in a way that is easy to follow and is clear about your specific role and achievements.

   Specific use of metrics

Not all employers fully understand the nature of freelance work, so the more specific you can be about your accomplishments, the better. Listing the number of projects, designs, and proposals you completed makes it clear how you were spending your time and helps emphasize soft skills like time management and work ethic.

Visual Communication Specialist Resume Sample

Art director resume sample, digital designer resume sample, creative director resume sample.

As a hiring manager who has recruited freelance graphic designers for companies like Adobe, Wix, and Canva, I've seen countless resumes over the years. The best ones always stand out by showcasing the candidate's unique design skills, creativity, and ability to deliver results for clients. Here are some tips to help your freelance graphic designer resume rise to the top of the pile:

   Showcase your best design projects

When it comes to your portfolio, quality trumps quantity. Instead of listing every project you've ever worked on, carefully curate a selection of your best work that demonstrates your range and expertise.

• Redesigned company logo and brand guidelines, resulting in a 30% increase in brand recognition
• Created a series of eye-catching social media graphics that helped client double their follower count in 6 months
• Designed a new mobile app interface that increased user engagement by 25%

Be sure to include specific details about the impact your work had, using numbers and metrics wherever possible.

   Tailor your skills to the job description

As a freelancer, you've likely worked on a wide variety of projects and have a diverse skill set. However, when applying for a specific job, it's important to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to that particular position.

Take a close look at the job description and make sure your resume emphasizes the key skills and qualifications they're looking for, such as:

• Proficiency in specific design software (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)
• Experience with certain types of projects (e.g. web design, branding)
• Knowledge of industry-specific trends and best practices

   Use a clean, visually appealing layout

As a graphic designer, your resume is often the first sample of your work that a potential client will see. Make sure it makes a great impression by using a clean, easy-to-read layout with a clear hierarchy of information.

Avoid common resume design mistakes like:

• Overcrowding the page with too much text or graphics
• Using hard-to-read fonts or font sizes that are too small
• Including low-quality images or graphics

Instead, aim for a design that is:

• Visually balanced with plenty of white space
• Easy to scan, with clear headings and sections
• Consistent in terms of font choices, colors, and overall style

   Highlight your unique value proposition

What makes you stand out from other freelance graphic designers? Do you have a particular niche or specialty? Are you known for your fast turnaround times or exceptional client communication skills?

Make sure your resume communicates your unique value proposition. This could be in the form of:

• A brief, punchy summary statement at the top of your resume
• Specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond for clients
• Testimonials or quotes from satisfied clients

Versatile graphic designer with a passion for creating memorable brand identities. Trusted by top clients like X, Y, and Z to deliver innovative design solutions on time and under budget. Skilled in print, web, and mobile design.

   Don't forget your contact information and online presence

Make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you by including your contact information at the top of your resume, including:

• Email address
• Phone number

In addition, be sure to include links to your online portfolio, website, or any other relevant online profiles (e.g. Behance, Dribbble). If you have a large social media following or have been featured in any notable publications, you may want to mention that as well.

However, avoid listing personal social media accounts that aren't relevant to your work as a designer.

   Proofread carefully

As a designer, attention to detail is crucial. Make sure your resume reflects this by carefully proofreading it for any typos, grammatical errors, or formatting inconsistencies.

Before submitting your resume, be sure to:

• Run spell check and grammar check
• Read through your resume multiple times, including once out loud
• Ask a friend or colleague to review it and provide feedback

Even small mistakes can make a big impact on how potential clients perceive your professionalism and attention to detail, so it's worth taking the time to get it right.

Writing Your Freelance Graphic Designer Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It's a brief paragraph, usually 3-5 sentences long, that highlights your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. While a summary is not required, it can be a valuable addition to your resume, especially if you're a freelance graphic designer with a diverse range of experiences or if you're looking to change careers.

On the other hand, an objective statement, which used to be common on resumes, is now considered outdated and should be avoided. Objective statements focus on what you want from a job, rather than what you can offer to an employer. Instead, use a summary to showcase your unique value proposition and grab the hiring manager's attention.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Freelance Graphic Designer resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Summary Examples , or Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Objective Examples .

1. Tailor your summary to the job description

When crafting your summary, it's essential to tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. Read through the job description carefully and identify the key skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer is looking for. Then, incorporate those elements into your summary to demonstrate that you're a perfect fit for the role.

For example, if a job posting for a freelance graphic designer emphasizes experience with branding and logo design, your summary might look like this:

Creative and detail-oriented freelance graphic designer with 5+ years of experience in branding and logo design. Skilled in collaborating with clients to develop unique visual identities that effectively communicate their brand message. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and experienced in managing projects from concept to completion.

On the other hand, a generic summary that doesn't address the specific requirements of the job might not capture the hiring manager's attention:

Graphic designer with experience in various design projects. Skilled in multiple design software programs and able to work independently or as part of a team.

2. Showcase your unique value proposition

Your summary is an opportunity to highlight what sets you apart from other freelance graphic designers. Focus on your unique combination of skills, experiences, and achievements that make you the ideal candidate for the job.

For instance, if you have a strong track record of working with clients in a specific industry or delivering projects on tight deadlines, emphasize those points in your summary:

• Freelance graphic designer with a proven history of creating engaging visual content for clients in the healthcare industry
• Experienced in managing multiple projects simultaneously and consistently meeting deadlines without compromising quality

Avoid using generic or overused phrases that don't provide any specific information about your abilities:

• Hardworking and dedicated graphic designer
• Team player with excellent communication skills

  Experience

Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers what you've accomplished and the skills you've developed that are relevant to the job you're applying for.

As a freelance graphic designer, your work experience section should highlight your most impressive projects, the skills you used to complete them, and the results you achieved. Here are some tips to help you write a compelling work experience section:

1. Highlight your most relevant design projects

When selecting which projects to include in your work experience section, choose the ones that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. If you're applying for a position that requires a lot of web design, for example, focus on your web design projects.

• Designed and developed responsive website for XYZ Company, resulting in a 25% increase in traffic and a 15% increase in conversions
• Created a series of social media graphics for ABC Company's product launch, resulting in a 50% increase in engagement and a 20% increase in sales

Be specific about the skills you used and the results you achieved. Use numbers and metrics whenever possible to quantify your accomplishments.

2. Use strong action verbs to describe your contributions

When describing your projects and accomplishments, use strong action verbs to convey your contributions. Avoid weak verbs like "helped" or "assisted."

• Helped design marketing materials for client campaigns
• Assisted with creating social media content

Instead, use verbs that demonstrate your leadership and initiative:

• Spearheaded the design of marketing materials for client campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in leads
• Developed and executed social media content strategy, increasing followers by 25% and engagement by 40%

3. Showcase your technical skills and design tools

As a graphic designer, your technical skills and proficiency with design tools are crucial to your success. Make sure to highlight the specific tools and technologies you've used in your work experience section.

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Sketch
• Experienced with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web design projects
• Skilled in creating designs for print and digital media, including brochures, flyers, social media graphics, and email newsletters

If you have experience with any specialized or niche tools, be sure to mention those as well. Showcasing your technical skills can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential clients or employers.

  Education

When writing your education section as a freelance graphic designer, focus on highlighting your relevant design education and training. This section should be concise and showcase the most important qualifications that make you a great fit for the job.

1. List your degree and major

Start by listing your highest level of education, such as a Bachelor's or Associate's degree in graphic design or a related field. Include the name of the institution, the degree earned, and your graduation year.

Here's an example of how to format your education:

Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design University of XYZ, Anytown, USA Graduated: May 2020

2. Include relevant coursework for entry-level designers

If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can strengthen your education section by listing relevant coursework. This shows employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job.

However, avoid listing every course you've taken. Instead, focus on the most relevant and impressive ones, like this:

• Advanced Typography
• Digital Illustration
• Web Design Fundamentals

3. Showcase design-related certifications

In addition to your formal education, include any professional certifications you've earned that are relevant to graphic design. These can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.

Here's an example of how to list a certification:

Adobe Certified Expert in Illustrator CC Issued by Adobe, June 2021

4. Keep it brief for experienced designers

If you are a senior-level freelance graphic designer with extensive work experience, you can keep your education section brief. Employers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments and portfolio.

Here's an example of a concise education section for an experienced designer:

BFA in Graphic Design, ABC University

Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant information, like this:

• High School Diploma, XYZ High School, Graduated 1995
• Courses: Typing, Basic Computer Skills

  Skills

Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your freelance graphic designer resume. It's where you showcase your expertise and convince potential clients that you have the technical skills to deliver great results. Here are some tips to help you write a compelling skills section that will make your resume stand out.

1. Tailor your skills to the job description

Before you start writing your skills section, carefully review the job description for the freelance graphic design project you're interested in. Look for specific skills, tools, and techniques that the client is looking for, and make sure to include them in your resume if you have them.

For example, if the job description mentions that the client is looking for someone with experience in Adobe Creative Suite, make sure to list the specific Adobe programs you're proficient in, like this:

Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign

By tailoring your skills section to the job description, you'll show the client that you have exactly what they're looking for and increase your chances of getting hired.

To quickly check if your resume has the right skills and keywords for a specific job, try using a tool like Targeted Resume from Resume Worded. It analyzes your resume against the job description and gives you actionable feedback on how to improve it.

2. Use proficiency levels to indicate your expertise

When listing your skills, it's helpful to indicate your level of proficiency for each one. This gives clients a better idea of your strengths and helps them determine if you're a good fit for their project.

Here's an example of how you can use proficiency levels in your skills section:

Adobe Photoshop (Expert) Adobe Illustrator (Advanced) Adobe InDesign (Intermediate) Sketch (Beginner)

Be honest about your proficiency levels, and don't claim to be an expert in a skill unless you truly are. It's better to be upfront about your abilities than to oversell yourself and risk disappointing a client later on.

If you're not sure what proficiency level to use for a particular skill, think about how often you use it in your work and how comfortable you feel with it. You can also ask for feedback from colleagues or clients to get a better sense of where you stand.

3. Group your skills into categories

To make your skills section easier to read and understand, consider grouping your skills into categories. This is especially helpful if you have a wide range of skills that span different areas of graphic design.

For example, you could group your skills like this:

Design Software : Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch Web Design : HTML, CSS, WordPress Print Design : Brochure design, Poster design, Package design

By grouping your skills into categories, you'll make it easier for clients to quickly scan your resume and see if you have the specific skills they're looking for.

When grouping your skills, think about the types of projects you typically work on and the skills that are most relevant to those projects. You can also look at job descriptions for inspiration on how to categorize your skills.

4. Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant skills

When it comes to your skills section, quality is more important than quantity. Don't feel like you need to list every single skill you have, especially if some of them are outdated or not relevant to the type of graphic design work you're seeking.

For example, if you haven't used a particular software program in several years and it's no longer widely used in the industry, it's best to leave it off your resume. Similarly, if you have skills that aren't directly related to graphic design, like accounting or project management, it's usually better to leave them out unless they're specifically mentioned in the job description.

QuarkXPress Microsoft Paint Accounting

Instead, focus on highlighting the skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for and that demonstrate your expertise as a graphic designer.

Keep in mind that some outdated skills may give the impression that you're not keeping up with the latest industry trends and technologies. If you're worried about ageism in hiring, it's best to avoid listing skills that were popular many years ago but have since been replaced by newer tools and techniques.

Skills For Freelance Graphic Designer Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Freelance Graphic Designer job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Illustration
• Logo Design
• Digital Photography
• Art Direction
• Page Layout
• Photography

Skills Word Cloud For Freelance Graphic Designer Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Freelance Graphic Designer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

How to use these skills?

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Resume Guide: Detailed Insights From Recruiters

• Graphic Designer Resume Guide & Examples for 2022

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•  Get a resume score compared to other Freelance Graphic Designer resumes in your industry.

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•  Find the Freelance Graphic Designer skills your resume is missing.

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Freelance Graphic Designer Resumes

• Template #1: Freelance Graphic Designer
• Template #2: Freelance Graphic Designer
• Template #3: Freelance Graphic Designer
• Template #4: Visual Communication Specialist
• Template #5: Art Director
• Template #6: Digital Designer
• Template #7: Creative Director
• Skills for Freelance Graphic Designer Resumes
• Free Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Review
• Other Design Resumes
• Freelance Graphic Designer Interview Guide
• Freelance Graphic Designer Sample Cover Letters
• Alternative Careers to a Graphic Designer
• All Resumes
• Resume Action Verbs

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22 Graphic Designer Resume Examples That Work in 2024

Graphic Designer Resume

• Graphic Designer Resumes by Experience
• Graphic Designer Resumes by Role

Writing Your Graphic Designer Resume

You can whip up a new logo in a flash, your friends turn to you when they need help with Photoshop, and you’re always doodling on your notes. You’re a great graphic designer, and it shows.

But when it comes to making a resume to prove your skills (not to mention writing cover letters ), employers want more than just your portfolio pieces. Plus, discussing your design skills and experience on your resume can take a lot of effort.

Our graphic designer resume examples have  helped graphic designers land highly coveted jobs at companies like Stripe and Apple,  so they’re an excellent place to get inspired to create your great resume.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• This can be tricky for some graphic design roles, so it’s okay if your work isn’t the sole reason for improvement. Simply highlight your overall impact as part of the graphic design, marketing, or sales team.
• Portfolios are more or less a requirement for graphic design roles, so make sure to include a link to your own.
• If you choose to add a  resume objective  to your graphic designer resume, you need to customize it for each job to which you apply. One way to do this is to include keywords from the job description. Don’t forget to mention the company by name! 

Beginner Graphic Designer Resume

• One thing that you can count on is a career objective that’s both inspiring and clear on what you intend to do once you’re hired.

Junior Graphic Designer Resume

• If you’re light on relevant work experience, include any relevant projects or internships. Just make sure to include metrics when you can, as any recruiter will treat an internship like a job and will thus expect a demonstration of your impact.
• You don’t have to be an expert, but generally speaking, only include skills you can talk about in an interview.

Senior Graphic Designer Resume

• Demonstrating your impact proves you’re a designer who thinks about your work within a broader context and does their best to help a company grow.
• If you’re wondering what to include, start with metrics relating to time or people. How many hours did you help your team save? How many new customers did you gain? How many people viewed your designs?
• The activities section isn’t always a good choice, but it can be a useful addition in some cases. If your  resume’s section of hobbies and interests  demonstrates leadership, persistence, or other useful skills, you can include this section to give you a boost over the competition. 

Graphic Design Student Resume

• Showcase projects where you’ve used Affinity Designer, Adobe Fresco, or Canva to create compelling visuals or your use of resources like Pixabay and Coolors for inspiration and project enhancement.
• School work totally counts, too, so highlight available metrics from completed projects like grades or peer reviews.
• This approach underscores your hands-on experience with design tools and ability to complete projects successfully, irrespective of traditional employment.

Self Taught Graphic Designer Resume

• In addition, line up one or two projects, which if adopted into real-world scenarios, would help transform marketing trends and outcomes for all-size businesses.

Freelance Graphic/UI Designer Resume

• In other words, don’t stop at making a list of job-specific tools like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, and Coolors in your freelance graphic/UI designer resume. Take them on a journey through your past gigs, painting a picture of those moments your designs stole the show or the times your creativity drew gasps and nods of approval.

Graphic Designer/Production Specialist Resume

• Essentially, sprinkle those gems throughout your graphic designer/production specialist resume like confetti, a hack Michael executed well at the start of each bullet point. You want every line on that resume to shout from the rooftops that you’re the hands-on visionary who doesn’t just do the job but redefine it.

Graphic Designer Illustrator Resume

• Capitalize on your graphic designer illustrator resume’s side columns to parade graphic design and illustration tools you’re well-versed in. Brandon, for instance, curates a list of tools (cue GIMP, Vectr, Prezi and more), and then weaves in evidence of him wielding these tools in the work history section.

Creative Designer Resume

• If you can back your creative designer resume with a fine arts degree in graphic design, you’ll be able to show your enthusiasm for the work and be on the hiring list for any employer.

Visual Designer Resume

• Mention tools like Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape, Figma, and InVision that speak volumes about your artwork. Adding such skills will convey that you’re well-versed with the latest design tools and can create modern designs with ease!

Logo Designer Resume

• Borrow a script from how Ben weaves competencies in Blender, Figma, CorelDRAW, and so on to get things done and increase user engagement.

Motion Graphic Design Resume

• An experience at a junior level accompanied by what you learned and your input can be an effective anchor you can use to boost the chances of your motion graphic designer resume making it beyond the shortlisting stage.

Social Media Graphic Designer Resume

• Put everything in its place and let the hiring teams find it easy to follow your career path. Most importantly, ensure there’s no clutter because that is a big turn-off.

Web and Graphic Designer Resume

• Following the same tactic, achieving 97% customer satisfaction for several projects is a true testimony to your work ethic and client-focused approach.

Freelance Graphic Designer Resume

• Highlight how you’ve leveraged Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, or CorelDRAW to deliver creative solutions to client projects, citing specific examples.
• Discuss using project management tools like Asana to meet deadlines and coordinate with clients—all while delivering high-quality work.

Graphic Design Specialist Resume

• For example, you mention how your work generated more traffic on social media or how you helped the marketing team create a campaign.
• Including numbers that highlight your impact will drastically increase your chances of landing an interview. Companies often receive hundreds of applications for a single role, so as you  craft your resume , keep in mind how you can stand out.
• Graphic designers are expected to be proficient with many different tools, especially the industry standard, Adobe Creative Suite. So make sure to let employers know if you’re skilled at Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Creative Graphic Designer Resume

• Some of the most popular mediums we’ve seen are print media, video, website design, and logo design.
• Make sure to add any experience you have with heading a project or leading a team.
• Showing an increase in responsibility throughout your career is another great way to show your initiative.
• For example, mentoring other graphic designers demonstrates positive growth as a leader.

Production Artist & Graphic Designer Resume

• You can improve your format by choosing two tastefully contrasting fonts, utilizing white space throughout your resume, and using bold (but not garish) colors in your header and titles.
• Don’t get so caught up in formatting that you neglect your content—use a  resume template  to help speed up the formatting process.
• Focus on picking relevant projects that have some link to the job description.

Marketing/Graphic Design Coordinator Resume

•  If you choose to include a summary, you’ll need to ensure it’s unique and personalized for every application you submit. Otherwise, skip adding it and focus on your work experience instead.
• Specialize your summary by mentioning the specific job title you’re seeking, the company’s name, and any examples of work you’ve done throughout your career that’s highly relevant for the job. Just be sure to keep it under three sentences. 

Senior Apparel & Graphic Designer Resume

• Giving a two-to-three sentence rundown of your career can be a challenge, so break it down into three components: who you are, your biggest success, and what assets you bring to the company.
• Think back on your career and list your biggest accomplishments that you can quantify/explain in a single sentence. Did you increase site engagement by 72 percent by incorporating a more modern, user-friendly layout and graphics? Did you design the company’s newsletter which was sent out to 2,000 customers? 
• Adobe offers certification courses for many of their Creative Cloud products, and there are many courses offered through universities to give you a leg-up over the competition. 

Graphic Designer/Administrative Assistant Resume

• Since you’re in a creative field, you can include more kinds of projects than a technical role would allow, but try to limit your choices to activities/projects that require(d) taking initiative, additional research, or learning a completely new skill. 
• If you choose to include one, you’ll need to ensure it’s unique and personalized for every application you submit. 
• Though including a  resume objective  is optional, it gives you a chance to address the employer by name and establish what they will gain by hiring you. 

Related resume guides

• Interior Design
• Social Media Manager

Graphic design is one of the most profitable professions in the freelance industry, and the position is growing more popular. Graphic designers serve as visual communicators who craft concepts using a stroke of their pen or a click of their specialized graphic design software.

Their main aim is to convey ideas to inform, inspire, or capture customers through physical and virtual art forms like words, images, and abstract elements like colors and shapes. However, graphic designers aren’t just glued to their drawing tables—they spend a lot of their time communicating with clients, customers, and other creators to ensure that their designs replicate the intended message and hit the intended audiences.

Standing out in the graphic design field isn’t easy. There are about 266,000 graphic designers already in the competitive market, and the number continues to rise. Even if you’re working on your letter of resignation email and giving your job application your best shot, you don’t want to end up in the “reject pile” because of your resume.

The best way to increase your chances of getting hired is with an AI resume builder . You can showcase your skills, explain your experience, and quantify your impact in a way your portfolio can’t.

When it comes to your graphic designer resume,  we’ve got four critical tips for taking your resume from the trash bin to the top choice . When you understand the role of your skills section, resume formatting, metrics, and customization, you’ll be well on your way to landing your next job. 

Put the spotlight on your graphic design skills

Most recruiters don’t have time to go through the nitty-gritty details in your graphic designer resume. They have only seconds to spare, which they’ll likely use to examine your  resume’s list of skills  and determine whether or not they’re relevant to their needs.

Recruiters aren’t the only ones you have to impress; when recruiters have a stack of resumes to weed through, they depend on an applicant tracking system (ATS) to filter out resumes lacking keywords—skills relevant to the specific job. 

That’s why the skills section of your graphic designer resume is vital. Because graphic design jobs can differ greatly in duties and requirements, your skills section should reflect your knowledge and abilities in relation to the company or organization. If you properly showcase your various skills, you can easily beat the ATS.

Here’s how you can spotlight your skills in your graphic designer resume:

• Write specific skill keywords in a bulleted list in your resume’s skills section
• Use numbers and examples to quantify and demonstrate your skills in the work experience section
• Emphasize your most relevant skills in the resume objective or summary

We don’t recommend adding more than 10 skill keywords to your skills section, but there’s still plenty of room to catch an employer’s eye. Here are some of the top hard (technical) and soft (general) skills you could include in your graphic designer resume: 

• Adobe Illustrator 
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Gravit Designer 
• Sketch 
• Activating negative space
• Color theory
• Typography 
• Visual hierarchy 
• JavaScript 
• Communication
• Organization

Formatting your graphic designer resume

Your resume is more than just your relevant experience, employment history, education, and skills; it also serves as a marketing tool. Recruiters only spend seconds looking at a given resume and tend to pass over the boring or generic ones. They want to see your unique accomplishments and the value you can provide to their company.

This is a direct ticket to an interview. That’s why you should ensure your resume reveals the best  you  possible. As such, you’ll want to choose the right  resume format  for your graphic designer resume. While many job seekers choose skills-based or hybrid-based formats, it’s almost always best to choose a reverse-chronological format. Employers can hone in on your most recent and relevant experience, letting your most relevant accomplishments and achievements shine. 

Consider these vital points when crafting your graphic designer resume:

1. Fixing up your resume’s appearance:

• Consistency in layout, punctuation, font, and font size
• Work experience is in bullet points for readability
• Minimal color (headers and titles only)
• Left-aligned text (your contact header is the exception)
• Headers to distinguish sections

2. Meeting organization and technical requirements:

• Only a page long
• A recognized file format (such as PDF)
• An objective/summary when necessary

Graphic designer resume objective

Speaking of an objective/summary, perhaps you’re wondering whether you need one in your graphic designer resume. First, let’s explain the difference between the two.

A  summary  is a two-to-three-sentence statement that summarizes your skills, work experience, and any specializations. It’s best used when someone has been in graphic design for 10+ years. 

On the other hand, an  objective  is a two-to-three sentence statement that introduces your interests, qualifications, and how you’ll add value to the role you’re seeking. A  resume objective  is best used for career changers or entry-level job candidates. 

The two are very similar, so it’s less important to understand the difference between them and more important that you pay attention to what you write for them. Vague statements and generalizations waste your and the recruiter’s time, so if you’re in doubt or are struggling to get it right, exclude it altogether. 

If you’re a graphic designer looking for an entry-level position, an objective can specifically emphasize personal qualities and skills. To get the recruiter’s attention, mention the company by name and share how you intend to contribute to your desired company: 

How to measure your impact as a graphic designer

Clients and customers appreciate your designs, but it can be tricky to link graphic design to business growth. Don’t gloss over metrics, though; they’re worth the extra effort. 

Design can become a key contributor to success, but only if you demonstrate how design is related to growth. There are various ways you can measure your impact on your graphic designer resume:

• Online success: if you’re dealing with digital design projects like a website or email marketing, it’s easy to trace metrics like engagement and conversions. A/B tests may also help you compare particular design details to determine which projects perform best.
• Improved sales: your design project(s) may facilitate an increase in the number of customers or number of purchased goods, pointing to successful work on your end.
• Increased customer retention: if your graphic design work piques a customer’s interest, they’re more likely to stick around and purchase something. Or, they can share your work and increase your company’s reach.
• Customer reviews and comments: keep track of good client reviews to show companies that your work is loved and impactful. 

You may be thinking, “that’s great, but how do you translate that into a resume?” Our samples can provide some worthwhile inspiration, as seen here: 

Build a custom graphic designer resume

For every graphic design job you apply for, you need to tailor your resume accordingly. Customizing your graphic designer resume not only demonstrates competency but also care and attention towards the employer and the specific position. Trust us: there aren’t many job seekers taking the extra time to tailor their resumes accordingly, so make yours unique by tailoring your skills, work experience, and objective/summary sections for every job.

We also have customization tips for different  graphic designer job descriptions  and  graphic designer cover letters .

Graphic designer or graphic design specialist resume

• As a graphic designer or graphic design specialist, you likely have solid experience under your belt already, so this might be the time to include a summary statement highlighting your best skills and achievements. 
• Again, pay close attention to the skill keywords listed in the job description.

Creative graphic designer resume

• For example, if you design ads for social media, reflect this in your skills and work experience. 
• Leverage your job description bullet points to showcase your leadership and teamwork abilities. Include any work on various projects with co-workers or cross-functional teams. 

Senior graphic designer resume

• Lead a team 
• Communicate with cross-functional teams and internal management
• Manage (and finish) projects
• Additionally, with this level of experience, you may choose to include a career summary. Don’t forget to tailor it to the new role you’re seeking! 

Junior graphic designer resume

• Nabbing that first real job can feel daunting when most employers want at least a year of experience, but all is not lost.
• Include any internship experience, if you have it. If you don’t, consider getting an internship to gain useful skills and a new addition to your resume.
• Projects can also be priceless. Have you designed a custom website for a friend? Did you create a logo for your aunt’s small business? These sorts of one-time projects may not pay well (or at all), but they can prove you have what it takes to do the job. 

Key points for your graphic designer resume

By taking your graphic designer resume seriously, you’ll be far ahead of the average applicant and much closer to accepting a job offer. 

Now it’s time to put the pedal to the metal and actually write your resume. Upload an old resume or start from scratch with our  free resume maker . You can choose from our  best resume templates  for an attractive and ATS-friendly layout that’s sure to snag the attention of recruiters.

Your dream job is just around the corner, so get your resume in tip-top shape and land the job you’ve been waiting for!