How To Write A Great Visual Designer Resume In 8 Easy Steps

Updated 16 February 2023

Visual designers help clients create aesthetically pleasing graphic material. Typically, they apply their creativity and imagination to digital projects. Learning how to create an outstanding resume that highlights your knowledge, skills and experience in the field may improve your chances of getting hired. In this article, we discuss why having a well-written resume is essential when applying for visual designer roles, provide steps on how to create one and include a template and sample visual designer resume to guide you when drafting your own.

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

Importance Of A Structured Visual Designer Resume

A well-presented visual designer resume is essential to convince the hiring manager that you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in the role. Besides showing that you have the relevant qualifications, a well-drafted resume may also help the hiring manager remember you when reviewing multiple resumes. Below are a few reasons why a well-presented resume is essential:

It provides details of your relevant qualifications and experience.
It highlights the skills you possess that are likely to help you succeed in this role.
Furthermore, it ensures that your name and contact information are easy to find, which is essential if the hiring manager wants to contact you.

How To Write An Effective Resume For A Visual Designer Role?

The following steps may be useful when creating your own resume:

1. Analyse the job description

You can gain a better understanding of what the hiring organisation is looking for in a visual designer by analysing the job description. It typically includes specific skills and experience that the employer considers essential for the role. You can use this information to adapt your resume and include the required skills you possess that are necessary to succeed in the job. You can further adapt your resume to fit the hiring organisation's preferences by studying its website and social media channels. They can provide insight into the company culture and employee engagement.

2. Implement the basic formatting rules

Having a well-formatted resume may make it easier to review. It may also encourage the recruiter to continue reading. Below are some basic guidelines that may make your resume more appealing:

Include your name and contact details in the resume header.
Use a size 12 professional font, such as Helvetica, Arial or Calibri.
Limit your resume to one or two pages and ensure that all your key information is present.
Use boldface to highlight your resume headings, such as your name, education and previous job titles, so that it is easier for the recruiter to read.
After creating your resume, save it as a PDF to ensure that it keeps its original format on any device the hiring manager may use to open it.

3. Choose a resume format

You can choose a resume format that effectively highlights your visual designer skills. If you believe you have the required experience and education for the job, use a chronological resume. It emphasises your work experience and education. With this format, you list your professional and educational details in reverse-chronological order.

If you lack the required professional experience and education but are confident that you possess the necessary skills to succeed in the role, consider using a functional resume. It emphasises your acquired skills instead of your work history and education. Alternatively, you can use a combination resume. It allows you to arrange the resume sections in the order you consider the most effective to highlight your suitability for the job.

4. Provide your name and contact information

Add your personal information in the header. Provide your full name on the first line and your phone number, email address, city and state or union territory on the line below. Having your personal information in the header allows recruiters to easily find your details if they want to contact you.

5. Draft your professional summary

A professional summary is an introductory paragraph that provides a brief overview of your career and qualifications. It typically outlines your credentials in two or three sentences. You can include the listed skills and qualifications in the job description and any other skills you possess that are applicable to the role.

6. List your work experience

Under the work experience section, list previous positions that are relevant to the role. As a visual designer, you may have worked as a multimedia, freelance or graphic designer. For each job you list, provide the title, employment dates, employer, location and job duties. This typically helps hiring managers understand your capabilities and determine whether you have the necessary skills for the job.

7. Discuss your relevant skills

Visual designers typically require a mix of hard skills, such as graphic design, animation and sketching, and soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving and critical thinking. When including your skills, keep them concise. You can elaborate on your capabilities in your cover letter and, perhaps later, in your interview. When deciding on which skills to include, analyse the job description and determine which ones are most valuable to the employer.

8. Include your educational background

Visual designers typically have an educational background in relevant fields, such as graphic design or visual arts. When listing your educational history, include your diploma or degree titles, the issuing institutions' name and its location. If you have visual designer certifications, you can list them under a new heading in the education section. For each certification you list, include the name, issuing organisation and date you received it or its expiry.

Visual Designer Resume Template

Below is a resume template that may be useful when creating your own:

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

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

Visual Designer Resume Example

Below is a sample resume that you can use as a reference when creating your own:

Saumya Singh
+91 1234559495 | ssingh@email.com | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Professional Summary
A competent and diligent Visual Designer with extensive experience working in dynamic fast-paced environments. Possesses in-depth knowledge of fundamental visual design concepts, software and soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving.