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design-ux
Graphic Designer
Resume Example
4.5 / 5
Why This Template Works
This Graphic Designer resume example works well with ATS because it includes a comprehensive list of relevant keywords that are often searched for in the job market. It also follows a clear and organized structure that highlights key skills, experiences, and education without being overwhelming or difficult to parse. The use of action verbs and quantifiable achievements makes this resume stand out among other applications by clearly demonstrating the candidate's impact and contributions.
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How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
01
Contact
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.
Avoid This
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Do NOT use unprofessional email addresses or GitHub links for artists - use ArtStation, Behance, or portfolio sites instead.
Real Examples
See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.
Don't
John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old
Do
Alicia Chen Los Angeles, CA (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/aliciachen | artstation.com/aliciachen
Don't
Ella Martinez Portland, OR +1 (503) 456-7890 | [email protected] github.com/ellamartinez
Do
Ella Martinez Portland, OR (503) 456-7890 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/ella-martinez | artstation.com/ellamartinez
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
- Use ArtStation or Behance for artist/designer portfolios
02
Summary
Summary
Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].
General Guidelines
A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.
Avoid This
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Don't
Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Graphic Designer position where I can learn new things and advance my career.
Do
Senior Visual Designer with over 5 years of experience in creating visually compelling designs that enhance user engagement. Led the redesign of a mobile app interface, resulting in a 30% increase in user navigation efficiency. Skilled in UX/UI design principles and proficient in Adobe Creative Suite.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
03
Skills
Skills
Technical Skills - Languages: [List] - Frameworks: [List] - Tools: [List] Soft Skills - [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3]
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Avoid This
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Don't include outdated technologies unless specifically required.
Real Examples
Don't
Mastery of Adobe Photoshop, basic knowledge of Sketch and Figma
Do
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma
Quick Tips
- List your technical skills under specific categories like Software & Tools or Design Programs.
- Prioritize soft skills by integrating them into the experience section with relevant examples.
- Ensure that each skill listed is directly applicable to the job you are applying for.
- Avoid listing skills that are too broad (e.g., 'Graphic Design'). Be as specific as possible.
04
Experience
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...
General Guidelines
This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.
Avoid This
Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences
Don't
Responsible for creating social media graphics which were used in campaigns.
Do
Created 30+ social media graphics that increased engagement and follower count by over 5%.
Quick Tips
- Use strong, active verbs to start each bullet point (e.g., 'created', 'designed', 'led').
- Quantify your achievements with specific numbers where possible.
- Highlight the impact of your work on business outcomes or user experience.
- Showcase projects and initiatives that demonstrate leadership and innovation.
05
Education
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Avoid This
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations
Don't
High School Diploma | Local High School | City, State September 2018 – June 2022 - Coursework: Algebra, English Literature, World History, Art Appreciation
Do
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design | Portland State University | Portland, OR September 2018 – May 2023 - Relevant Coursework: Visual Communication Theory, User Experience and Interface Design, Interactive Media
Quick Tips
- Include your degree name, the name of the institution you attended, and its location.
- Mention specific relevant coursework that aligns with your current job role or field experience.
- Only list awards, honors, or recognitions if they are significant and relevant to your career path in Graphic Design.
- If you have a strong GPA above 3.5 or if you're relatively new to the workforce, include it as an indicator of academic achievement.
06
Projects
Projects
Project Name | Tools/Software Used - Briefly describe what you created and its purpose - Highlight creative challenges you solved - Link to portfolio (ArtStation, Behance, Vimeo, YouTube) if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio (ArtStation, Behance, Vimeo, or YouTube) if possible. Focus on projects that show your creative abilities and relevant tools for the target role.
Avoid This
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list tools—explain what you created and why it matters. Do NOT mention GitHub links for creative roles - use portfolio platforms instead.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Don't
Created a simple logo using Adobe Illustrator, but I didn’t complete it as the client wanted too many changes.
Do
Designed a corporate identity system including a cohesive logo, color palette, typography, and application guidelines for a startup. Resolved conflicting design preferences to finalize an approved branding package.
Quick Tips
- Showcase projects that reflect your ability to solve real-world problems with creative solutions.
- Choose project examples that demonstrate a range of skills relevant to the job you're applying for, such as UX/UI design and print media creation.
- Use specific metrics or outcomes to quantify the impact of your work when possible (e.g., increased traffic, engagement rates).
- Ensure each project entry includes links to live portfolios where hiring managers can see detailed results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Skills like proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, UI/UX design principles, and knowledge of color theory are crucial.
Highlight transferable skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability while mentioning projects that showcase these abilities.
A strong online portfolio is essential to display your best work and creative process to potential employers.
Essential tools include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to handle various graphic design tasks.
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