Graphic Designer Skills Resume

Graphic Designer In The Workplace

How to be a graphic designer? This job can be very multi-faceted and flexible in many ways.

Graphic design specialists can work for large publishing, design, and marketing agencies, as well as for companies across various industries, small firms, and even private customers.

When it comes to the work environment, it can be different. Some graphic designers can work full-time or part-time in comfy offices, while others can work on a freelance basis from the comfort of their home or from anywhere else in the world.

Designers can work with multiple projects. Yet, they always have to deal with fixed deadlines.

Revolutionize the approach you write a resume! Delegate it to our resume edit service to highlight the main key points! We’ll get you covered!

Showcase Your Brand Through Words Images And Design

Once your brand has been identified and defined, the messaging needs to be conveyed throughout your resume using words, images and design.

While creative professionals may occasionally need a plain text resume or Word document to make it past screening software when applying for jobs online, Salvador recommends creating both a plain text and a hybrid or modified infographic version that incorporates simple, visual branding elements. If you follow her tips and submit your resume as a PDF it should make it through an applicant tracking system and impress human reviewers.

For instance, inserting small graphics or logos in the header of your résumé and adding color or a border design can help further your brand and identity, and add visual appeal without impacting the ATS score. Consider selecting or designing your own graphic layout or using scanned samples of your work as a border. Designing your own occupational icon can also yield results.

Also, because most ATS will read the page from left to right, Salvador likes to include either a list of key skills and competencies, a mission statement, or three or four brief skill-related testimonials in a narrow left-handed column when creating résumés for creative professionals. In a competitive environment, testimonials and endorsements offer proof and give your resume an edge over other candidates .

Resume Summary With A Focus On Leadership

Example:Efficient and detail-oriented art director with over 12 years of experience. Extensive experience in managing creative assets for digital marketing campaigns with expert level skills in most programs within the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. Excellent leadership and communication skills, able to effectively manage teams of up to 10 designers at once.

This summary clearly illustrates the applicants technical skills and expertise using industry-specific programs. It also showcases soft skills and leadership traits.

Read Also: How To Write A Resume With No Prior Work Experience

Planning Your Graphic Designer Resume

• Do your research: Your resume should be tailored to the companys needsthis means first understanding their work, mission, values, and challenges. Browse through their website and social media and search for any news or articles about the company.
• Review the job posting: The job posting has specific information about what the company is looking for in an ideal candidate. Highlight key skills and qualifications in the job posting. You will want to include those in your resume. Remember that some companies use resume-screening software, so make sure you have keywords to get you through that initial screening.
• Select your most relevant work: You may have an extensive portfolio of designs and a long list of skills, but youll need to pare it down to the most relevant details. For example, if the company is looking for someone with experience in branding, highlight your achievements in creating memorable and consistent brand assets.
• Create a simple and appealing design: As a graphic design job applicant, a generic resume template wont cut it. While the content is key, Hiring Managers will also be looking at how you present the content. Create a clean but aesthetically pleasing design. Stick to one or two fonts, use color sparingly and make sure theres plenty of white space to make your resume easy to read. Add in a few creative elements to show your skills, but dont go overboard.

What If I Have No Experience

Its always good to have experience, but everybody has to start somewhere. If youre just starting out, or changing careers, then you need to find a creative way to highlight anything youve done thats relevant to the job youre seeking.

This might include internships, fellowships, volunteer work or at times work totally outside your field. If you have no experience because youre still in college, it might be a good idea to list your educational qualifications first and to go the extra mile in your profile/summary to explain why you know this is the right field for you.

Don’t Miss: How Does A Resume Look

Final Tips And Characteristics Of An Effective Developer Rsum

To further highlight and validate your design skills, create a project addendum or one-page gallery featuring photos and samples of your best work and either email it to the hiring manager or use it as a leave behind after interviews. This is in addition to your own online design portfolio. Also:

Match the job description: To capture the attention of automated and human reviewers, make simple modifications/customizations to match the requirements in the job descriptionincluding the hard and soft skills, types of design, mediums and the organizational culturebefore hitting Send. Even better, use a free tool like Jobscan or Résumé Worded to compare your résumé to a specific job description, make changes, add the right keywords, and get past applicant tracking systems.

Provide a skills summary or toolbox: When technical skills are necessary for performing typical tasks, provide a summary of your skills and show how you applied them in your work experience summary.

Be sure to include hot certifications and coursework: You should include top certifications and coursework that demonstrate expertise in must-have technologies and a passion for continuous learning.

Membership has its benefits. Sign up for a free Dice profile, add your resume, discover great career insights and set your tech career in motion.Register now

Address The Job Description

While it may be tempting to present your work experience creatively, its not usually an effective way to convince employers that youre the best person for the job. Instead, the goal of your work experience section should be to address the needs laid out in the job description.

When you build a resume for a graphic design job, start by going through the job ad for the position you want and taking note of the qualities listed in the Requirements section.

Take this actual job description for example:

This position emphasizes the ability to cooperate, coordinate, multi-task, and be involved in the entire design process.

Heres an example of an experience section from a graphic design resume that addresses the requirements of this job:

EXPERION, New York, NY

A B2B marketing firm that has helped over 200 companies position, promote and market their unique brands.

Senior Graphic Design Specialist, May 2011 present

• Lead in the design, development and implementation of the graphic, layout, and production communication materials while helping clients cut their costs by an average of 12%.
• Worked with the marketing team to develop innovative graphics and materials.
• Supervise the assessment of all graphic materials to ensure quality and accuracy in the design.
• Oversee the efficient use of production project budgets ranging from $2,000 $25,000.

STEPPING STONE ADVERTISING, New York, NY

Graphic Design Specialist, Aug 2009-May 2011

Recommended Reading: How To Write A Resume For High Schoolers

Graphics Designer Resume Samples

Graphics designer are responsible for creating communicative visual concepts that give ideas, concepts, and information to the customers, the Graphics Designer resume Sample showcases job responsibilities that include developing magazines, product packing, books, websites, advertisements, brochure, and corporate reports. Essential tasks that are highlighted in resume quotes other tasks such as presenting design ideas, incorporating feedback, developing layouts, collaborating with , illustrators, specialists, and professionals.

Employers look out for highlighting skills like artistic talent, customer focus, time management, creativity, and efficient communication in the Graphics designer resume. The most eligible resume portrays a Bachelor-s degree in Computer Science or visual art or Graphic Design for this job post. However, degree holders from related fields with technical training in Graphics designing can get better prospects in this line of work.

Technical Skill #: Photography Skill

Do you love taking pictures professionally?

Well, you got this skill and talent.

Graphic designers who have the skill to capture their images are a great resource.

Building your photography skills can strengthen your profession as a graphic designer.

It can also save your time relying on tons of stock images on the internet once you need them for the job.

Using your image also adds value to your client and your portfolio.

You can also tell stories through visuals with your creative mind and not the afterthought.

They are purposely blended to create that eye-catching effects at the same time, they convey messages and tell a story.

Need to enhance your photography skill?

Go get that class and stand out for your next job application!

For more tips on what skills graphic designer needs, go to Creative Bloqs website.

Recommended Reading: Beginner Hair Stylist Resume

Technical Skill #: Software Skills

Do you know the top 3 software used by designers?

Well, if you arent a master of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, then you might consider adding it to your to-do lists.

These are the software I am talking about, 3 of the most important key skills in resume for graphic designer.

Upon researching, most employers required this on their job posts.

So, if you are one of those applicants, you know what to do.

And as we all know, modern businesses rely heavily on computerized tasks.

Having some knowledge of software may ease you in either publishing or editing certain content.

Proficiency in these programs or other visual designs and wireframing tools is a plus.

You can rely upon other resources such as magazines, blogs, live classes, courses, and webinars to enhance this skill.

But you know what?

The better time is when you train alone, where youre facing that computer or your mobile phone exploring those applications and websites.

And now youre curious about every little thing.

Technical Writer / Graphic Artist

Composed instructions, charts and graphs for a variety of needlecraft kits to be distributed globally.

• Reproduced artist’s designs, originally using standard paste-up and layout techniques, later using computer software for reproduction.
• Attended technical artist / writer seminar.
• Active Member of GPTO for Good Shepherd Academy. Volunteer for various events.
• Sergeant-At-Arms American Legion – Preserved order at all meetings in addition to other duties. Volunteered time to help with Legion events.
• Volunteer at St. Nicholas Church food bank.
• Volunteering community service hours at the CEO, Commissions of Economic Opportunity.

Also Check: White House Tours Resume

Real Examples Of Graphic Designer Resumes That Use These Skills

Build a professional graphic designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 12+ resume templates to create your graphic designer resume.

Designing For Social Media

Employers are always interested in knowing how far you can go in your social media design. This extends to your social media accounts such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter and your knowledge of how to create useful design elements for such platforms. You should have a good grasp of the major platforms, the key differences that exist among them and the visual elements that each one uses. You should always include social media links to your professional or public profiles to show your design skills in this area.

Don’t Miss: When Does Nba Season Resume

Final Tips For How To Write A Graphic Designer Resume

Here are some final tips on how to write a graphic designer resume that can help you get an interview:

• Be consistent. Consistency in format and language is key to making your resume look professional.

• Be concise by providing clear information and ensuring your resume is brief.

• Find relevant resume examples to understand how companies use applicant tracking systems and what facts are most important to include.

• Use relevant keywords that match the job description, even when highlighting your soft skills.

Resume Summary Discussing Several Different Abilities

Example:Innovative and effective multimedia developer with extensive experience in animation and 3D modeling. An expert with AutoCAD and Maya, with over 10 years of experience using these programs. Excellent team player who thrives when working with others on large, long-term projects such as marketing campaigns and commercials.

This summary showcases a broad range of capabilities, significant experience with using graphic design programs and a desire to work on a variety of long-term projects. It also highlights the applicants enthusiasm when working with others, demonstrating that they are a team player.

Recommended Reading: How To Put Associate Degree On Resume

How To Choose Skills For Your Resume

Theres no single way to write the perfect graphic design resume because every employer is looking for different skills. To find the skills that that will jump off the page to the hiring manager, read the job ad and underline relevant keywords in the job description, like this:

Also, research the company to determine which skills will have the most impact on your resume. When you research:

• browse the companys website, social media accounts, and press releases to determine its design style and branding and discover skills that its design team values
• look for descriptions of the job from the companys designers on websites like Glassdoor or Comparably

Putting relevant skills on your resume is also essential to getting your application through applicant tracking systems .

ATS systems automatically prioritize applications based on relevant resume keywords. Adding skills from the job ad and your research increases the chances that the ATS labels your resume as a match for the position.

What Graphic Designer Skills Would You Recommend For Someone Trying To Advance Their Career

CarmitaSanchez-Fong

Professor and Chairperson, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY

Sketch, sketch, sketch, and work on your portfolio. Use the many resources at FIT to stay current with technology, including 3d printing, laser cutting, and virtual reality. Volunteer with one of the professional organizations, attend virtual conferences, enter a competition, develop your personal/professional profile, and become familiar with digital material resources. Work on your research and presentation skills. Create a well-organized digital library of your 2d and 3d assets. Prepare yourself to go back. Take some masterclasses. Volunteer as a virtual artist-in-residence at a local school. Be creative, remain engaged.

You May Like: Wpm Test For Resume

Technical Skill #: Knowledge In Typography

What is typography?

Its what we refer to as the art and technique of arranging type to make written legible, readable, and appealing when displayed.

It allows designers like you to create visuals for brands.

With these designs, a made brand can effectively communicate to its audience and eradicates a bad user experience.

Sometimes, designing can be a complicated task, but good design can attract potential clients.

You need to have this skill because it represents the brand of your job and voices its content.

Having this typography skill can carry your brand forward.

It can bring a memorable experience and influence decision-making to every user.

It is your way of communicating by controlling your works tone of voice, emotion, gender, and age.

This skill is much more than choosing fonts.

It means that fonts do speak louder than words.

This is a must-have skill for every graphic designer.

Need to boost this skill?

Why not try to make your own font?

How To Format A Graphic Designer Resume

Before you can start working on your resume, you need to decide on the formatting.

After all, the hiring manager will think twice before hiring a graphic designer whos resume isnt well-formatted.

In 2022, the most common resume format is reverse-chronological, so wed recommend starting with that:

Other resume formats you could try are:

• Functional Resume – This format is a lot more about your skills as opposed to professional experience. Its good if you dont have a lot of experience, are transferring to a new industry, or have gaps in your employment history.
• Combination Resume – As the name suggests, a combination resume is a mix between Functional and Reverse-Chronological. Meaning, it focuses both on skills AND work experience. You can use a combination resume if you have a lot of work experience or changing industries.

Once youve decided on the format, you need to get your resume layout right.

Heres what we recommend:

• – One-inch margins on all sides
• Font – Pick a font that stands out, but not too much. Do: Ubuntu, Roboto, etc. Dont: Comic Sans
• Font Size – Use a font size of 11-12pt for normal text and 14-16pt for headers
• Line Spacing – Use 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing
• Resume Length – Dont go over the 1-page limit. Having trouble fitting everything into one page? Check out these one-page resume templates.

Recommended Reading: Do You Put Your Address On A Resume