Illustrator Resume: Examples & Tips
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Illustrators create visuals and illustrations in all types of media formats for online and print use. An illustrator needs to be highly creative, have strong storytelling skills, and be proficient in technical skills such as sketching and drawing, as well as programs like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop.
Make sure you draft a resume for an illustrator job that’s first-class by using these professional tips and examples.
Get inspiration from 800+ resume samples and explore our 40+ resume templates to find the best one for you.
Illustrator example (text version)
Name: MELISSA BLOSSOM
Address: City, State, Zip Code
Phone: 000-000-0000
E-Mail: email@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Versatile Illustrator with years of experience and cartoon and computer graphics expertise. Created 2D and 3D vector illustrations and diagrams for large graphics agency and earned accolades for quality work. High-level technical and collaborative skills leading to outstanding results.
SKILLS
- Design team oversight
- Visual storytelling
- Graphic arts
- Drawing and sketching
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe PhotoShop
- Character art
- Project management
WORK HISTORY
Illustrator
06/2014 to Current
Company Name, City, State
- Cultivated relationships with other artists and internal partners to produce results that met customer parameters.
- Applied color theory and lighting techniques in drawings and illustrations to add excitement, focus and depth
- Developed illustrative designs using customer specifications, company standards and mathematical formulas
Artist
07/2012 to 02/2015
Company Name, City, State
- Advertised and sold mosaics and drawing pieces at local markets and established all piece pricing on customer demand, labor costs and raw material costs.
- Collaborated with marketing and support departments to create high-quality images and illustrations for specific projects
- Developed creative design for marketing packages, including print materials, brochures, banners and signs
Freelance Artist
07/2007 to 01/2011
Company Name, City, State
- Made use of materials, such as ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, computer software, paints, and pencils, to complete unique piece for customers
- Managed all art and office supply needs for art department
- Worked alongside writers to create unique designs to translate artistic vision into visual medium
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts: Illustration
City, State
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Illustrator Resume FAQ
1. What are some skills that can be included in the resume of an illustrator?
| Technical skills: | Soft skills: |
| Constructive drawing | Imaginative and creative |
| Sketching | Strategizing |
| Memory composition skills | Detail-orientated |
| Material selecting | Presentation skills |
| Knowledge of basic art concepts | Out-of-the box thinking |
| Understanding of rules of perspective | Expert collaborator |
| Design and graphic trends knowledge | Interpersonal skills |
| Proficiency with aesthetics and design concepts | Fine communication skills |
| Corporate identity branding | Management skills |
| Adobe PhotoShop | Organizational skills |
| Adobe Illustrator | Team player |
| Graphic Designing | Quick learner |
| MS PowerPoint | Adaptability |
| Technical skills: |
| Constructive drawing |
| Sketching |
| Memory composition skills |
| Material selecting |
| Knowledge of basic art concepts |
| Understanding of rules of perspective |
| Design and graphic trends knowledge |
| Proficiency with aesthetics and design concepts |
| Corporate identity branding |
| Adobe PhotoShop |
| Adobe Illustrator |
| Graphic Designing |
| MS PowerPoint |
| Soft skills: |
| Imaginative and creative |
| Strategizing |
| Detail-orientated |
| Presentation skills |
| Out-of-the box thinking |
| Expert collaborator |
| Interpersonal skills |
| Fine communication skills |
| Management skills |
| Organizational skills |
| Team player |
| Quick learner |
| Adaptability |
2. Which resume format is the ideal choice for the position of an illustrator?
Your format will mainly depend on your work experience. Choose a combination format for your resume if you have two to five years of relevant experience. This format resume gives equal weight to both your work accomplishments and top skills. Consider a chronological format if you have more than five years of relevant experience, as this format focuses on your work history. If you lack experience or are just starting out in this field, use a functional format, which emphasizes your skills and training.
3. What are some certifications that can help excel as an illustrator?
Following is a list of some relevant certifications that you can further hone your skills as an illustrator:
- 2-D design fundamentals
- Adobe Illustrator certification
- Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
- Graduate diploma in Art and Design
- Associate of Arts in Fashion Illustration
- Diploma in Fine Arts
- Web design training
- Digital imaging
4. How do you use keywords in your resume?
To tailor your resume for the job you’re applying to, you need to use the right keywords. To do so, browse the job description and make a list of the job’s specific requirements, such as “rough sketching” or “3D designs and illustrations.” Then match these requirements with skills and experiences you have that show you can handle them, and add these facts to your resume. For example, you could list “3D designs” as a skill, or you could mention a job experience involving rough sketches.
5. What should you add to your resume to take the next step in your career?
To move on to a more senior position, or take on bigger and better opportunities, focus on the following:
- Examples of projects where you showed good project management and leadership.
- More examples of successful projects, for varied mediums and clients.
- Recognitions and awards you’ve received for your work.
- Advanced certifications or courses that show you’re committed to sharpening your skills.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
The difference between a CV vs. resume depends on three main aspects:
- Length: CVs tend to run several pages because they detail your professional experience and often include additional sections, while a resume focuses on the most relevant aspects of your work history.
- Purpose: CVs are typically submitted for scientific, medical and academic positions. Resumes can be used to apply to any job.
- Location: Resumes are the standard document for applying for U.S.-based positions, while CVs are the standard worldwide.
If you’re applying for an artistic job outside the U.S. or in the academic field, consider using an artist CV.
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume
- DO include soft skills. Intangible skills tell employers how you approach your work, which can be just as important as your technical abilities. Look to mention skills such as being a good collaborator, superior organizational abilities or close attention to detail.
- DO include relevant keywords. Employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) will be scouring your resume for the right keywords. To make sure you’re ship-shape, scan the job description of the position you’re applying for, and note important phrases such as “Photoshop,” “rough sketches,” or “visual storytelling” that define the job. Then make sure your resume’s summary, skills and work history sections feature skills and experiences that match these keywords. Don’t just copy and paste keywords: Including “Photoshop” as a skill is nice, but giving a work example where you used Photoshop to successfully complete an assignment is better.
- DO quantify your accomplishments. As mentioned above, always quantify your achievements and accomplishments instead of describing your work in vague general terms. For example, saying “Collaborated with product manager and SEO expert to create 50+ illustrations for marketing campaign reaching 2,000,000 users” tells the recruiter much more than “collaborated with client to create marketing visuals.”
- DON’T submit your resume without proofing. As an illustrator, you’re expected to be meticulous — make sure your resume follows suit. Even a single silly spelling or grammatical snafu can sink you. Read through your document a few times before sending it in, checking to ensure that all information is correct and error-free. For extra security, if you create your resume using ourresume builder, our tools will scan your resume for you
- DON’T make your resume too long. Recruiters only spend a limited time reading each resume, so make sure yours makes for an informative but crisp read. Your document should be two pages long at most. Don’t stuff your resume with details that don’t matter, and keep your bullet points and phrases short and to-the-point. Keep your summary statement within three sentences, aim for three to five bullet points in your work history section, and for your skills section, focus on your top 8-10 abilities.
- DON’T use first-person pronouns. You’ll notice that in our resume examples, we don’t use “I” or “my” — for good reason. Using first-person pronouns in your resume is just not necessary. Write phrases instead of sentences to both save room, and focus potential employers on your qualifications. Just look at these two sentences:
• “I am an illustrator with four years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in art.”
• “Versatile illustrator with a bachelor’s degree in art and four years of work experience.”
Both sentences are the same length, but the second example without the “I” gives you more room to talk about your best traits.
Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Illustrator Resume
Summary
Present your top skills as an artist, designer or illustrator here, and highlight your most relevant work experience, all within the space of a few sentences. Match your summary to what the job requires. For example, if the job calls for a solid amount of 3D drawing work, emphasize elements of your background that fit that requirement. For example: “Versatile illustrator with a bachelor’s degree in illustration and four years of experience designing 2D and 3D illustrations.”
Skills
In addition to technical skills related to drawing, sketching, and editing pictures, as well as important software such as Adobe Illustrator, don’t forget to mention essential interpersonal and intangible skills such as good communication skills, organizational ability and experience with collaboration.
Work History
Don’t pack this section with every ordinary task you’ve undertaken in previous jobs. Instead, focus on your most important accomplishments, providing context in the form of numbers and details when possible. For example, instead of writing, “Designed images and illustrations for several books,” write, “Produced illustrations and designs for 12 different children’s books, including tw Newbery Medal winners.”
Education
Feature your highest academic credential (e.g., high school diploma, college degree) as well as any specialized training or courses you’ve taken in subjects such as illustration or graphic design. Also list any related certifications you have, such as an Adobe Creative Suite certification.
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Illustrator Resume Example
Nilda Melissa is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who has written for The Washington Post and Latina Style Magazine. She has a master's in Journalism from Columbia University and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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