Accurately displaying your design work on a graphic design CV can be a challenge. Learn how to make an impressive graphic design CV by using our downloadable sample and writing tips below.
Ensure your CV layout is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.
Text Format
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Graphic Design Specialist with 2+ years of experience developing excellent design assets for businesses. Possess a BA in Graphic Design from Nottingham Trent University. Skilled at guiding challenging projects from conception to completion. Seeking to leverage my strong creative expertise and design intuition to help develop innovative branding for your company.
WORK EXPERIENCE
CRASHCOURSE DESIGNS, Nottingham Graphic Design Specialist, May 2022–Present
Lead the design, development and execution of communication materials while helping clients cut costs by an average of 10%
Delegate tasks to 3 freelance designers and provide counsel on all aspects of website and app design projects
Supervise newly created design assets and other materials to ensure the quality of each design
Produced modern, eye-catching illustrations for clients using Adobe Illustrator and Figma
SOTO ADVERTISING, Islington, London Graphic Design Intern, September 2020–April 2022
Helped develop numerous marketing programs (logos, brochures, newsletters, infographics, presentations, and advertisements) and guaranteed that they exceeded client expectations
Assisted with 3 different major design projects while meeting weekly deadlines
Consulted with clients on the most appropriate graphic design options based on their marketing goals and branding specifications
EDUCATION
Nottingham Trent University (2017–2020) BA in Graphic Design (lower second class honours)
Relevant Modules: The Theories and Practice of Visual Communication, Articulation of Graphic Design, Advertising Design
The City of Leicester College, Leicester (2011–2017)
A-levels: Arts (A), English Literature (A), French (A), Geography (A) GCSEs: 8 A*–C including English Literature, French, and ICT
KEY SKILLS
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
Knowledge of Figma
Working knowledge of HTML and CSS
Bilingual in English and French
Website design
Printed materials design
How to write a graphic design CV
Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.
Whether you’re applying for freelance roles or an in-house position as a graphic designer, you’ll need to impress employers with a concise, well-written graphic design CV that accurately showcases your relevant design skills.
Our section-by-section guide and CV example will help you understand all the essentials and prepare you for writing an eye-catching graphic design CV.
1. List your up-to-date contact information
First, list your contact information on your graphic designer CV. Your contact details are an essential part of any CV because employers can’t offer you an interview if they can’t reach you.
Your graphic design CV’s heading should include your:
email
phone number
address (just the city is fine)
LinkedIn profile
Additionally, include a link to your online portfolio if you have one. Linking to your portfolio gives employers a chance to look at your previous work and see if you have the requirements they want in their ideal graphic designer.
Personal statements are 3–5 sentences that showcase:
who you are
your goals and motivations (like why you’re applying for this job)
what you can offer the organisation
There are two approaches to doing this, depending on how much work experience you have as a designer:
If you’re a senior graphic designer
First, consider your experience, which skills/software you’re proficient in, and any other abilities that make you a great graphic designer.
Next, read the job posting to understand what you need for the position.
Finally, explain how your experience and skills match the position requirements.
If you’re an entry-level graphic designer
Emphasise what experience you currently have, such as your education details, volunteer work, and previous jobs), along with your eagerness to learn new skills.
Additionally, research the company (mission statement, values, etc.) you’re applying to and explain why you’d make a good fit in your statement.
3. Describe your prior work experience
Your work experience is your main selling point as a graphic designer.
There are two approaches to listing design work history on your CV, depending on whether you’ve had traditional work experience or completed freelance work (if you’ve had both experiences, then both methods apply to you).
Here’s how to list traditional, in-house graphic design experience on your CV:
How to list your traditional graphic design experience
State your position title, company name, and dates you were employed
Explain your duties and responsibilities, but ensure you quantify them with hard numbers
List promotions, achievements, and how you were rewarded for quality work
Here’s how to include freelance graphic design experience on your CV:
How to list your freelance graphic design experience
Write the project name, company who delegated it to you, and project duration by listing the datesand thesoftware you used for the assignment
Similar to traditional work experience, quantify your project duties and responsibilities with exact numbers
If you’ve only worked freelance, try naming the section ‘Projects’, and include it where work experience would normally go on your graphic design CV
Otherwise, list your freelance projects in a separate section from your work experience if you have both freelance and traditional work experience
If you’ve just graduated, your employer will want to see where you’ve studied before (especially if it was at a red brick university), along with which GCSEs and A-Levels you achieved.
However, if you’re a more senior professional, focus on presenting the quality of your design work. In this case, simply list your university name, dates you attended, along with the degree and honours classification you were awarded in your CV’s education section.
5. Highlight your graphic design skills
Having a detailed skills section on your graphic design CV is essential because it tells employers:
what design software you’re familiar with
the design techniques you’re versed in
what programming languages you know
how well you work with other employees
If you’re unsure whether the job-specific abilities on your CV will impress your target employer, here are some of the top graphic design skills employers want in 2023:
Media production
Infographic design
Photo editing
Web design
Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
InVision Studio
Figma
HTML
CSS
UI/UX design
Print design
Logo creation
Branding
Typography
Colour theory
Additionally, one way to give your CV design a more creative look and stand out from the competition is by representing your talents using skill bars. Choosing online CV templates with skills bars or designing your own visual CV lets the employer know which design software you’re proficient with.
Here’s an example of skill bars on a CV for a graphic designer:
Using creative ways to communicate your experience can boost your CV.
6. Include a brief section for your hobbies
Many employers like to know what you enjoy doing in your free time so they can have a better idea of your personality and if you’ll be a good fit at the office. Providing them with an introduction to some of your hobbies is a great way for them to start a conversation during an interview.
We recommend keeping things simple. Team sport or social groups you’re a part of are a great addition to any CV and demonstrate a variety of soft skills.
So don’t hesitate to mention your involvement in a community football league. Ideally, you can include these as small icons or pictures.
Here’s an example of how to list your hobbies on a CV:
Ensure your icons are appropriately sized on your graphic design CV.
Other Great CVs & Cover Letters from this Industry:
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