Crafting a CV in graphic design can be a daunting challenge due to the need to balance creativity with professional clarity. By delving into our guide, you'll uncover strategies to refine your CV, ensuring it captures your unique design flair while effectively communicating your qualifications to potential employers.
- Design and format your professional graphic design CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading graphic design CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your graphic design CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
How to ensure your profile stands out with your graphic design CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your graphic design CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your graphic design CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your graphic design CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a graphic design CV
- Personal Statement reflects your design ethos and career objectives.
- Work Experience showcases relevant design roles and projects.
- Design Skills section highlights your proficiency in design software and techniques.
- Portfolio Link or QR Code provides easy access to your visual work.
- Education & Training lists your formal qualifications and design-centric courses.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Demonstrate your design skills by ensuring your CV itself is a testament to your graphic design capability; use subtle yet impactful design elements to make it visually appealing.
- Include a link to your online portfolio showcasing your range of work, as employers will be keen to see examples of your designs and the breadth of your skills.
- Highlight relevant software proficiency, such as Adobe Creative Suite, and any other design tools you're adept with, as technical skills are crucial in this field.
- Mention any collaborative projects or team experiences, as graphic design often involves working with other designers, marketers, and stakeholders.
- Quantify your achievements where possible, such as the success of a campaign you worked on, to give employers a tangible measure of your impact.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your graphic design CV header
Right at the very top of your graphic design CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for graphic design:
- Senior Graphic Designer | Visual Branding Specialist | Adobe Certified Expert | 12+ Years in Creative Design
- Lead Creative Designer | UI/UX Savvy | Strategic Brand Development | Masters in Design | 8 Years' Experience
- Junior Graphic Designer | Print & Digital Media | BA Hons Graphic Design | Passion for Typography | 2+ Yrs
- Art Director | Campaigns & Storytelling Expert | Multi-platform Proficiency | 15 Years Building Visual Narratives
- Mid-Level Graphic Designer | Illustration & Animation Enthusiast | BTEC Certified | 5 Years Industry Innovator
- Senior Visual Designer | Web Design & Interactive Media | User-Centric Approach | 10 Years Crafting Digital Experiences
Choosing your opening statement: a graphic design CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a graphic design job:
- As a seasoned graphic designer with over 8 years of experience, I have developed a robust skill set including advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a knack for creating compelling visual narratives. I've spearheaded rebranding efforts for a major retail chain, significantly increasing its market presence and customer engagement.
- Bringing 6 years of graphic design experience within a fast-paced advertising agency in London, I am equipped with a diverse portfolio that demonstrates expertise in conceptual design, digital illustration, and brand development. My crowning achievement was the successful launch of a multinational campaign that resulted in a 40% increase in our client's online traffic.
- With a background in architecture and a passion for aesthetics, I am eager to transition into graphic design. I possess a foundational knowledge of design principles and have honed my skills in digital tools like Sketch and InVision. I aim to apply my creative problem-solving abilities to produce innovative visual solutions.
- As a former marketing professional with 5 years of experience in developing marketing strategies and content, I seek to leverage my understanding of brand storytelling in graphic design. My proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, combined with my marketing insight, will enable me to craft designs that resonate with audiences.
- Eager to immerse myself in graphic design, I aspire to apply my artistic talents and fresh perspective to create impactful and memorable designs. With a keen eye for detail and relentless pursuit of perfection, I am committed to learning from industry leaders and contributing to projects that defy the conventional.
- Genuinely interested in beginning a career in graphic design, I am ready to bring my enthusiasm for art and technology to the table. With strong communication skills and the ability to quickly adapt to new environments, I am prepared to work collaboratively to achieve exceptional design outcomes.
The best formula for your graphic design CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Outlined a successful rebranding strategy for a high-profile client, enhancing their market presence and resulting in a 25% increase in brand recognition.
- Developed and executed design concepts for more than 50 digital marketing campaigns, consistently meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high design standards.
- Led a team of junior designers in creating visual content for social media, which boosted client engagement rates by 40% within six months.
- Streamlined the design workflow by integrating new collaboration tools, reducing project turnaround time by 35% without sacrificing design quality.
- Managed end-to-end design projects, from initial briefing to the delivery of final assets, ensuring consistency with the client's brand voice and vision.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to produce an award-winning advertising campaign that captured the 'Best Design' accolade at the annual industry awards.
- Utilised expert knowledge of typography and layout in the creation of numerous print publications, receiving commendations for clarity and aesthetic appeal.
- Implemented user-centred design principles in web projects, leading to a user experience overhaul that improved website dwell time by 30%.
- Mentored three design interns, providing hands-on guidance and support that enabled them to secure full-time positions in the industry.
- Led the redesign of the corporate branding for ABC Ltd, enhancing brand presence across digital platforms by 35% and improving user engagement.
- Developed and executed over 50 unique marketing campaign graphics, achieving an average 20% increase in click-through rates compared to previous quarters.
- Mentored a team of junior designers, fostering a collaborative environment that increased team productivity by 25%.
- Implemented a rebranding strategy for XYZ Corp, coordinating with cross-functional teams to maintain brand consistency across all marketing materials.
- Designed an award-winning mobile app interface for XYZ Corp, leading to a 40% uptick in user downloads within the first six months post-launch.
- Streamlined the graphic design process, reducing project turnaround times by 30% while maintaining high quality and creative standards.
- Collaborated with marketing team to craft high-impact visuals for DEF Media's online and print advertising, increasing ad revenue by 22%.
- Initiated and directed a social media visual content strategy that heightened DEF Media's online follower growth by 50,000 within a year.
- Generated comprehensive brand style guides and templates, ensuring brand consistency across all DEF Media's public-facing communications.
- Redesigned the user experience for GHI Retail's e-commerce site, which saw a conversion rate improvement of 18%.
- Produced over 200 individual product packaging designs, maintaining alignment with GHI Retail's brand strategy and market positioning.
- Orchestrated the visual layout for GHI Retail's annual report that was distributed to stakeholders, conveying company performance and future strategies.
- Conceptualised and executed bespoke exhibition stand visuals for JKL Events, leading to a 'Best Stand Design' award at two industry expos.
- Designed and produced engaging infographics and data visualisations for JKL Events' corporate clients, assisting in key message breakdown and audience comprehension.
- Liaised with print vendors to ensure high-quality outputs for all JKL Events marketing collateral while negotiating a 15% cost saving on print materials.
- Pioneered the development of an interactive digital signage system for MNO Enterprises, growing customer engagement by 25% across all store locations.
- Designed a suite of digital assets that contributed to a successful product launch, culminating in MNO Enterprises surpassing initial sales forecasts by 30%.
- Supervised the brand identity transition for MNO Enterprises, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure a seamless and effective rollout.
- Elevated the visual identity of PQR Studio's clients by creating comprehensive branding packages, which resulted in an average client revenue increase of 20%.
- Developed custom illustrations for PQR Studio's educational series, contributing to a 35% boost in viewer comprehension and retention rates.
- Managed strict deadlines for the production of weekly advertising material, never missing a delivery date and maintaining a 100% client satisfaction rate.
- Played a key role in the visual marketing team at STU Technology, contributing to a year-on-year growth of online user interaction by 27%.
- Delivered high-quality visual designs for STU Technology's website refresh, which led to a 15% decrease in bounce rates and a 12% increase in average session duration.
- Coordinated the visual content for STU Technology's internal communication platforms, significantly enhancing employee engagement and information retention.
What to add in your graphic design CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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PRO TIP
If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your graphic design CV:
Adobe Creative Suite
Typography
Web Design
User Interface Design
Graphic Design Principles
Branding
Print Design
Photography
Motion Graphics
Packaging Design
Creativity
Communication
Problem-solving
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Collaboration
Adaptability
Project Management
Critical Thinking
Client Relations
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Further professional qualifications for your graphic design CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your graphic design CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional graphic design CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
