Graphic Designer
Best for senior and mid-level candidates
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Build my resume To stand out in a crowded creative field, your graphic designer resume must strike a balance between clarity and personality, while also highlighting your design strengths and demonstrating how you solve real business problems.
Your layout should feel well-designed, with a clean hierarchy and scannable headings that minimize clutter. In brief, treat making a resume like a design brief — every choice signalling your taste, discipline, and intent. Match that tone when writing your cover letter, too.
This guide will show you:
- ↪ 25 graphic designer resume examples that actually landed interviews
- ↪ Key things every great graphic designer resume must include
- ↪ How to format your resume for scannability, structure, and credibility
Why this resume works
- 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, customize it for each job to which you apply as well as craft a LinkedIn headline that reflects your creativity identity.
Why this resume works
- Showing an increase in responsibility throughout your career is a great way to show your initiative. For example, mentoring other graphic designers demonstrates positive growth as a leader.
View more creative graphic designer resumes>
Why this resume works
- Spotlighting project-specific use of design tools and resourcefulness stands out most on a freelance graphic designer resume. Highlight how you’ve leveraged Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, or CorelDRAW to deliver creative solutions to client projects, citing specific examples.
View more freelance graphic designer resumes>
Why this resume works
- Hiring managers will be looking for any leadership roles on your senior graphic designer resume, so be explicit about your successes as a leader. How many hours did you help your team save? How many new customers did you gain? How many people viewed your designs?
View more senior graphic designer resumes>
Why this resume works
- Mention tools like Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape, Figma, and InVision that speak volumes about your artwork. Generating resume skills like these will convey that you’re well-versed with the latest design tools and can create modern designs with ease!
Why this resume works
- 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.
Why this resume works
- 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.
Why this resume works
- 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.
View more junior graphic designer resumes>
Why this resume works
- You’re entering a not-so-familiar territory and that’s why your beginner graphic designer resume should be well crafted to impress recruiters. 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.
Why this resume works
- State what you did for the clients and how they reacted. For example, achieving 97% customer satisfaction for several projects is a true testimony to your work ethic and client-focused approach.
Why this resume works
- Don’t just mention the tools but also how you used them to achieve tangible results. Showcase competencies in Blender, Figma, CorelDRAW, and so on to get things done and increase user engagement.
Why this resume works
- Harper in this graphic designer intern resume, for instance, highlights the Typography Precision seminar, which saw him hone his skills in using industry-relevant software (think Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite) and gain useful knowledge.
Why this resume works
- Use a layout that’s sophisticated yet oozes a modern vibe. This is exactly what our Modern template is all about. It’s got everything you need (clean lines, killer typography, and all the space in the world) and nothing you don’t (sorry, Comic Sans).
Why this resume works
- Tailoring your Behance graphic designer resume to match the job posting is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are a good fit. Recount that moment when you custom-built animated social media graphics? That could be a must-have for this role and flaunting it could be your ticket to get hired.
Why this resume works
- Think Adobe Photoshop, Blender, and Final Cut Pro. Such software platforms are industry benchmarks of an editing pro. Simply mentioning them in your graphic designer and video editor resume will give hiring managers a strong impression that you actually know the difference between good editing and mind-blowing outcomes.
Why this resume works
- Tell a story of a resilient individual who is self-driven and goes the extra mile to achieve results. 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.
Why this resume works
- Capitalize on your graphic designer illustrator resume’s side columns to parade graphic design and illustration tools you’re well-versed in (cue GIMP, Vectr, Prezi and more). Then weave in evidence of wielding these tools in your work history section.
Why this resume works
- Choose a modern template for your 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.
Why this resume works
- 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.
Why this resume works
- 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.
Why this resume works
- Even if you don’t have much work experience, you can still show off your skills by adding any projects you’ve completed and even some of your resume-related hobbies and interests. But limit your choices to activities/projects that require(d) taking initiative, additional research, or learning a completely new skill.
Why this resume works
- Whip out those action-packed verbs that show you’re not just on the ball but also you’re the ball—words like conducted, executed, spearheaded, designed, structured, and systemized. Essentially, sprinkle those gems throughout your graphic designer/production specialist resume.
Why this resume works
- Make your marketing/graphic designer coordinator resume stand out even more by including a focused career summary. Though including a resume summary is optional, we highly recommend one if you have more than 10 years of experience in the field.
Why this resume works
- An experience at a junior level accompanied by what you learned and your input can be an effective anchor to boost the chances of your motion graphic designer resume making it beyond the shortlisting stage.
Why this resume works
- Your production artist resume should be as interesting as your creations; showcase your eye for design by formatting your resume properly. 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.
View more production artist resumes>
Why this resume works
- Include certifications at the bottom of your senior apparel and graphic designer resume. 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.
Related resume guides
How to Write a Graphic Designer Resume
Writing a standout graphic designer resume is about showcasing substance, structure, and strategy—surfacing the right details in the perfect format to impress human recruiters and bypass AI filters.
Whether you’re starting from scratch, updating your portfolio, or comparing formats with resume examples, you must frame your background to capture attention in the competitive creative job market.
We’ll also show you how to run your final draft through a resume checker and how to craft adjacent documents, such as a letter of resignation or an email, that align with your personal brand and career goals.
What we’ll cover:
- What to include and what to leave out in a graphic designer resume
- How to write role descriptions that highlight creative impact
- Where and how to showcase portfolio links and projects
- The best resume formats that prioritize visual balance
- Keyword strategy for ATS optimization
- Design-specific technical and soft skills that matter to hiring managers
- How to infuse personal branding to stand out
- Common mistakes that weaken visual resumes
How to structure your resume header
For a complete and accurate resume header, include:
- First and last name
- Profession’s title
- Official email address
- Phone number
- City and state
- Profile URL for LinkedIn or Behance
- Portfolio URL (visible and clickable)
Example
Rhoda Jackson
Graphic Designer
(123) 456 7890
Denver, CO
RhodaCreatives.com
Should you use a summary or an 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:
A summary is ideal if you have more than 5 years of experience and is better placed to highlight specific achievements.
Examples of strong graphic design resume summaries
- Senior graphic designer with a decade of experience across branding, print, and web. Led redesign for a Fortune 500 brand, increasing engagement by 33%
- Creative designer specializing in motion graphics and animation. Produced 50+ campaign videos for tech startups with CTR gains of up to 22%
Use an objective if you’re entry-level or switching careers—but only if you can make it specific to the role and company.
Example
Entry-level graphic designer skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and Canva, seeking to join Nike’s U.S. marketing team to create impactful digital and print designs while growing in UX/UI and branding.
What skills should you include on a graphic design resume?
Utilize up to 10–12 job-specific skills, categorized into technical and soft skills. Don’t just list them in the “Skills” section; sprinkle them across work experience bullet points. Avoid stuffing your skills list with every tool you’ve ever touched—stay relevant with only tools you can use to make an impact.
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
Here are some of the top hard (technical) and soft (general) skills you could include in your graphic designer resume:
- Graphic Design Software and Tools:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe InDesign
- Canva
- Figma
- Gravit Designer
- Sketch
- Design Principles:
- Activating negative space
- Color theory
- Typography
- Visual hierarchy
- Basic Coding:
- JavaScript
- Java
- Python
- HTML
- CSS
- Soft skills:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Organization
Which resume format is best for graphic designers?
Use the reverse-chronological format in most cases to emphasize your most recent experience and pass ATS systems.
If you’re a freelancer or switching to design from another industry, opt for a hybrid format (skills + chronological).
Follow these formatting guidelines:
- Professionalism over fancy designs
- Standard fonts (Arial and Calibri)
- Consistent design elements
- No columns, tables, or graphics
- Room for key headers
- Save in PDF or DOC
Consider these vital points when formatting 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
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.
How to show quantifiable impact on a design resume
Recruiters love numbers—give it to them. Metrics show that you don’t just design—you deliver results.
Examples:
- Increased newsletter CTR by 22% using Mailchimp, cutting average design-to-send time by 21 minutes per campaign
- Created 40+ campaign assets in Adobe Illustrator, driving $500K in sales in two quarters
- Reduced website bounce rate by 17% with a UX revamp in Figma
Action verbs to start each bullet point
Start each bullet with a powerful verb such as:
- Designed
- Conceptualized
- Executed
- Spearheaded
- Revamped
- Illustrated
- Delivered
- Developed
- Led
- Collaborated
Role-specific resume tips: Junior, senior, motion & more
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.
- Since you have more skills than an entry-level candidate, it’s okay to include up to 10 keywords in your skills section.
- Again, pay close attention to the skill keywords listed in the job description.
Creative graphic designer resume
- You’re most likely involved in the advertising and marketing world so choose work experience that highlights your abilities.
- For example, if you design ads for social media, reflect this in your skills and work experience.
- All graphic designers are creative people, but this job title suggests a higher level of creativity and adaptability. This may also entail a position where you’re leading the creative team.
- 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
- If you’re seeking a senior role, the most important thing you can do is demonstrate your seniority. This means you must confirm your ability to:
- 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.
UI/UX designer
- Show prowess in Figma, wireframes, testing, and user flows
- List tools like Maze, Webflow, and Adobe XD
- Spotlight your impact on user satisfaction and achieving targets
Motion designer
- Lead with skills in After Effects, Blender, and Premiere Pro
- Provide a link to motion reels
- Mention campaign engagement metrics
7 Resume mistakes graphic designers make
You may be the best fit for the role, but these mistakes can make a recruiter pass you over and instead choose a candidate who is a distant second:
- Using images
- Not including your portfolio link
- Listing irrelevant skills
- Writing a generic, vague summary
- Not customizing per job
- Disregarding metrics
- Burying design specialties or tools at the bottom
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!
Graphic Designer Resume FAQs
A graphic designer should include both technical tools and conceptual skills. It’s advisable to tailor the skills section to each job posting, the industry, and the employer’s expectations, which boosts ATS compatibility and recruiters’ retrievability.
Examples:
InDesign
Typography and layout design
Sketch, or XD
Cross-team collaboration
Deadline management
To show your impact and value, ensure each role features:
A brief context (agency, in-house, freelance)
Your core deliverables: Action and skills
Quantified results: Achievements and impact
A senior designer is the lead on creative direction and cross-functional collaboration. Responsibilities at this level include:
Mentoring junior designers
Planning and executing campaigns
Tracking KPIs
Cross-functional collaborations
Deadline management
