Crafting a CV that accurately reflects your diverse skill set and creative projects can be a daunting challenge for an illustrator. By delving into our guide, you'll discover effective strategies to showcase your unique talents and construct a CV that stands out to potential clients and employers.
- Answer job requirements with your illustrator CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your illustrator CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
Structuring your illustrator CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your illustrator CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a illustrator CV
- Summary of Key Illustrator Skills includes a concise showcase of your most relevant technical skills and artistic styles.
- Professional Experience as an Illustrator displays your work history and notable projects, emphasising creative roles.
- Portfolio of Illustrations highlights your best work, showing diversity and expertise in various mediums and techniques.
- Education and Training in Art/Illustration presents your formal qualifications and any specialised training in the field.
- Software Proficiency and Tools section outlines your competency with industry-standard drawing and editing software.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical proficiency in illustration tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other relevant software to showcase your capability in creating diverse forms of illustrations.
- Include a portfolio section with links to your most compelling works or attach a separate document, providing potential employers with direct evidence of your talent and style.
- Focus on various projects you have worked on, detailing the type of illustrations provided, such as editorial, books, branding, or concept art, to demonstrate your versatility and experience.
- Mention any collaborative work experience, especially with writers, designers, and art directors, to show you can effectively contribute to creative teams and projects.
- Emphasise any unique styles or techniques you have mastered, any exhibitions you've participated in, or awards you've won to distinguish yourself from other candidates.
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Making a good first impression with your illustrator CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for illustrator:
- Creative Illustrator | Children's Book Specialist | Adobe Certified Expert | 5+ Years' Experience
- Senior Concept Artist | Dynamic Storyboarding | Sci-Fi & Fantasy | MA Illustration | 10 Years in Industry
- Mid-Level Illustrator | Educational Media Focus | Proficient in Digital & Traditional Media | 3 Years' Practice
- Junior Graphic Illustrator | Marketing Collateral Expert | BFA Honours | Rapid Prototyping Skills | 2 Years' Experience
- Lead Character Designer | Video Game Artistry | 3D Modelling | 8 Years' Professional Creativity
- Freelance Technical Illustrator | Architectural & Engineering Drawings | AutoCAD Specialist | 4+ Years of Precision Work
Your illustrator CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
illustrator candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you illustrator CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a illustrator job:
- With over a decade of experience as a professional illustrator, possessing a formidable portfolio showcasing a distinctive style in the creation of children's books and branding illustrations, this candidate has successfully executed over 300 projects, including an award-winning educational book series.
- As a seasoned graphic designer with 8 years of experience pivoting to illustration, this professional brings a unique blend of visual storytelling and digital design expertise to the table, having spearheaded major campaigns translating complex concepts into engaging illustrations.
- Transitioning from a successful 5-year career in architecture to the dynamic world of illustration, this candidate is equipped with a keen eye for detail and design, eager to leverage immense knowledge in spatial aesthetics and a passion for drawing to create memorable visual narratives.
- Dynamic Illustrator with 7 years of freelance and in-house experience, specialising in character design and digital art, recognised for the creation of a viral webcomic series. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and eager to craft compelling visual content that resonates with audiences.
- Eager to embark on an illustration career, this budding artist is determined to leverage a fresh perspective, untapped creativity, and recent Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts to explore new illustration frontiers and to develop a signature style that aligns with contemporary visual demands.
- Aiming to transition from a vibrant hobbyist background to a full-fledged professional illustrator, this newcomer is passionate about bringing characters to life and skilled in diverse mediums, including digital painting and traditional techniques, searching for opportunities to foster growth and artistic impact.
Narrating the details of your illustrator CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your illustrator CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Demonstrated expertise in creating original illustrations for a variety of clients and projects, including children's books, advertising campaigns, and educational materials.
- Skilled in utilising digital tools and software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to craft high-quality visual content that meets client specifications.
- Commissioned to design custom graphics and icons for web and mobile applications, effectively communicating brand identity and improving user experience.
- Collaborated with authors and editorial teams to develop storyboard concepts, ensuring that illustrations enhanced narrative and engaged readers.
- Maintained a strong understanding of current design trends and techniques, resulting in illustrations that resonated with contemporary audiences.
- Proven ability to work under tight deadlines, consistently delivering compelling artwork on time without compromising on quality or creativity.
- Flexibility shown in style and mediums, adept at creating both traditional hand-drawn illustrations and cutting-edge digital artwork to match project needs.
- Contributed to branding initiatives by developing unique and memorable logo designs that effectively represented company ethos and objectives.
- Active engagement in professional development opportunities, such as workshops and online courses, to refine skills and stay ahead in the dynamic field of illustration.
- Led a design team at CreativeWorks Ltd, enhancing visual content for major publishing clients resulting in a 25% increase in client satisfaction
- Spearheaded the transition to digital illustration using Adobe Creative Suite, which cut production times by 30% and improved efficiency
- Developed over 200+ unique book illustrations and cover designs, directly contributing to a 15% rise in sales for the company's top-selling authors
- Collaborated with independent game studios to create over 50 character designs, enhancing player engagement and contributing to a successful launch
- Produced environmental and asset art for 3 major mobile games, which have been downloaded over a million times
- Successfully managed project timelines and delivered high-quality artwork under tight deadlines for 10+ indie game projects
- Introduced digital illustration techniques at Art Innovators Inc, reducing traditional art material costs by 40%
- Completed a series of 30 educational children's books illustrations, significantly aiding the publisher's entry into the digital marketplace
- Mentored 5 junior illustrators, improving the overall quality of digital artwork produced by the department
- Played a key role in rebranding the visual identity of TechGadget Inc, yielding a 20% increase in brand recognition within the first year
- Designed and illustrated over 100+ advertising campaigns across print and digital media for consumer electronics
- Effectively coordinated with cross-functional teams to integrate illustrations into UI/UX designs of the company's website and mobile applications
- Oversaw the conceptualization and creation of original artwork for AnimationsRUs Ltd, becoming a mainstay feature in their award-winning animated films
- Implemented a new storyboard development process that improved team collaboration and reduced production times by 25%
- Crafted memorable character designs and backgrounds that defined the aesthetic of a top-rated animated series
- Designed interactive educational content for eLearningCo Ltd, enriching the learning experience for over 500,000 users
- Generated 3D models and animations for architectural visualizations, which attracted 2 major construction firms as long-term clients
- Facilitated the creation of instructional videos, which saw a 70% increase in user engagement across the platform
- Competently balanced content creation with illustration duties at Online Media Group, increasing content shares by 50% through compelling infographics
- Produced over 500 custom illustrations for web articles, enhancing the visual impact and driving a 40% increase in average time spent on the website
- Established a visual guideline that standardized content presentation across various platforms, greatly increasing brand consistency
- Assisted in storyboard creation and asset design for BluePix Studios, contributing to the smooth running of the animation pipeline
- Engaged in character design workshops, which improved the diversity of characters in studio productions and received positive audience feedback
- Provided timely delivery of illustrations for 4 consecutive children's television seasons, meeting all deadlines and exceeding quality expectations
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your illustrator CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your illustrator CV:
Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
Digital painting and drawing
Traditional sketching and drawing
Character design
Knowledge of colour theory
Illustration software expertise
Typography and lettering
Conceptual thinking and visual storytelling
Print preparation and finishing
Graphic design principles
Creativity and innovation
Attention to detail
Time management and prioritisation
Communication and presentation
Problem-solving ability
Adaptability and flexibility
Collaboration and teamwork
Receptiveness to feedback
Patience and perseverance
Self-motivation and discipline
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your illustrator CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your illustrator CV:
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your illustrator CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
