How To Write An Illustrator Resume (With An Example)

Updated 23 March 2023

When searching for a job as an illustrator, a resume is the first point of contact between you and your prospective employer. It shows hiring managers your qualifications, including your experience, skills, education and certifications. Learning how to write an effective illustrator resume may help you compete successfully with other candidates for the role and encourage a hiring manager to contact you for an interview. In this article, we will explain how to write an effective resume for illustrator, describe how to write one and provide a template and an example you can use as a guide when creating your own.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

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What Is An Illustrator Resume?

An illustrator resume details the qualifications that make you a suitable candidate for the role. Employers typically require each candidate to submit a resume with their application, as it allows the hiring manager to evaluate their credentials and determine whether to contact the candidate for an interview. Employers may also list the requirements for the illustrator position in the job description, which can help you identify the qualifications you have and highlight them in your resume.

The qualifications for an illustrator resume vary by organisation and role. There are many career paths an illustrator can pursue, and each has its own qualifications. Illustrator roles an employer may advertise include:

Editorial illustrators: These illustrators create images that correspond with written text in newspapers, magazines and journals. Editorial illustrators primarily work for print and electronic media companies, such as book and periodical publishers.
Product illustrator: Product illustrators work with their clients to design and draw the product for items such as brochures, packaging and advertisements. They often work for product manufacturers and advertising companies.
Fashion illustrator: Fashion illustrators focus on creating images for the fashion industry and related media. They usually create illustrations for fashion magazines, brand advertisers and fashion stylists.
Storyboard illustrator: A storyboard illustrator draws images for films, animated features, video games and television commercials. They may work for advertisers or film producers, including animators and video game creators.
Technical illustrator: Technical illustrators create visual presentations to communicate technical messages to an audience, such as blueprints, and technical diagrams for publications and manuals. They often work for product and equipment manufacturers.
Medical illustrator: A medical illustrator creates visual presentations for the medical field. They work with pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical equipment makers, medical writers and filmmakers.

How To Write A Resume For An Illustrator?

Here are the steps you can take to write a resume that may help you get a job as an illustrator:

1. Include your contact information

Start your resume by adding a header with your contact information, including your full name, a phone number where an employer can reach you, an email address you check regularly, and the city and state or union territory where you live. You can also include certifications or degrees you use as part of your job title after your name. These details make it easy for employers to identify you and find your contact information if they want to schedule an interview with you.

2. Write a professional summary

A professional summary is a brief statement that describes your experience, achievements and skills. When drafting a professional summary for a job as an illustrator, explain your qualifications in two to three sentences. Refer to the job description to identify the qualifications you have that the employer is looking for in a candidate, which you can include in your professional summary. Here are examples of what you might include:

How long you have been an illustrator
The digital and physical drawing tools you have experience using
Your focus area within the field of illustration
Your diplomas or degrees
Relevant educational or professional awards you have received

3. Detail your experience

Your work experience is an essential section in a resume for an illustrator position, as employers use your background information to assess how efficiently you might work in the role. You can list any type of experience, including paid employment or unpaid learning opportunities. Starting with your current or most recent role, provide the title of the position, its duration and the organisation's name and location. Highlight your primary duties and achievements for each role in bulleted lists. Examples of experience you might include in this section include:

Current or previous employment as an illustrator
Unpaid opportunities you accepted to build your portfolio
Illustrator internships and volunteer experience
Freelance illustration projects

4. List your relevant skills

Having certain skills may help you compete with other candidates who apply for the same illustrator position. Consider including both soft and hard skills the employer mentions in the requirements for the job. Soft skills include attention to detail and communication. Hard or technical skills are specific to illustration or design, such as design software and drawing techniques.

5. Provide your education

Some employers prefer candidates who have a relevant diploma or degree in illustration. If the job description does not list educational requirements, including your qualifications can enhance your suitability for the role. Starting with your most recent credential, list the name of the programme you completed, your field of study and the school or university you attended.

6. Add your certifications

A certifications section is optional, but it can be beneficial to include your professional certifications. These designations serve as endorsements of your knowledge and skills in illustration. For example, you might have certifications in Adobe or Corel software, which illustrators often to create and edit their designs. If you have relevant certifications, list the name of each one, the awarding institution, and the year you received it or the date it expires.

Illustrator Resume Template

Here is a template you can use for reference when creating your resume:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [State or Union territory]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Union territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Union territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree] | [Name of School or University]

Certifications (optional)
[Certification Name], [Host Organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Illustrator Resume Example

You can use this resume example to inspire you when writing yours:

Pavan Sharma +91 55555 55555 | pavansharma@email.com | Patna, Bihar

Professional Summary
Editorial illustrator with over six years of experience in print and electronic media. Proficient in designing quality 2D and 3D illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and Corel. Voted by peers as Illustrator of the Year in 2017.

Experience

Apparel Illustrator | November 2018–Current
KLD Fashion and Apparel | Patna, Bihar

Serve as the technical lead for apparel design concepts
Create and edit images for monthly advertising campaigns using Adobe Photoshop
Contribute to the creation of new tech packs for the production of each product
Collaborate with fashion designers to illustrate their concepts accurately
Apply feedback from colleagues and managers consistently to ensure quality

Associate Editorial Illustrator | June 2016–November 2018
SteamAhead Motor Magazine and Publishers | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Created logos for 20+ industrial clients in the transportation sector
Illustrated vehicle interiors for weekly magazine editorials
Designed and created background illustrations for articles and advertisements

Education

Diploma in illustration, Maharashtra School of Art

Certifications

Adobe Certified Professional, Adobe - 2020
CorelDRAW X7 Certification, Corel Corporation - 2019