For a designer, the CV is a sample of your work. It should look considered, read easily and send people to your portfolio. This example uses a bold design with the portfolio link at the top, software in one line and bullets that show what the work achieved, not just what you made.
Use this example: the CV builder opens with it filled in on the Poster template, free to edit and preview. Downloading the CV and matching cover letter costs £4.99 once.
Example graphic designer CV
A fictional person, employers and figures, to show the format. Replace every detail with your own.
Graphic designer with four years' agency experience in brand identity, packaging and digital campaigns for food, drink and charity clients. Strong in Illustrator, InDesign and Figma, and confident taking a brief from first concepts to print-ready files. Looking for a mid-weight designer role in a brand-led studio.
Design brand identities, packaging and campaigns for around 15 clients a year, mostly food, drink and charities.
Led the rebrand of a regional bakery, from logo to van livery; the client reported a rise in wholesale enquiries in the following quarter.
Design social and web assets in Figma and hand them over to developers with clear specs.
Prepare print-ready artwork and check proofs with printers, with no costly reprints in two years.
Junior Designer, Clifton Print and Design, Bristol (Jul 2021 - Feb 2023)
Produced leaflets, menus and signage, and took over the studio's artwork checks.
Education
BA (Hons) Graphic Design, First, Falmouth University, 2018 - 2021
Training and certifications
Motion design in After Effects, Online course, 2024
Skills
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Figma, Brand identity, Packaging and print production, Typography, Presenting to clients
A graphic designer personal statement to adapt
Graphic designer with four years' agency experience in brand identity, packaging and digital campaigns for food, drink and charity clients. Strong in Illustrator, InDesign and Figma, and confident taking a brief from first concepts to print-ready files. Looking for a mid-weight designer role in a brand-led studio.
Key skills for a graphic designer CV
Design software - Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), Figma and any motion tools.
Brand and identity - Logos, guidelines and systems that hold together across uses.
Typography and layout - The basics that separate a designer from someone who uses the software.
Print production - Bleed, colour, proofs and working with printers.
Digital design - Social, web and email assets, and handing over to developers.
Taking a brief - Understanding the problem and the audience before designing.
Presenting work - Explaining your decisions to clients.
What a UK graphic designer CV needs
A portfolio link - At the top, as plain text, with your best and most relevant work first.
Software - One line of tools. You do not need skill bars or ratings.
Sectors and clients - The kinds of clients you design for, without breaking any confidentiality.
Results - What the work achieved, if the client shared it: sales, enquiries, awards or reach.
Education - A design degree or course, or self-taught work, and anything you have added since.
Achievement bullets to adapt
The figures are invented to show the format. Use your own.
Led a regional bakery rebrand from logo to van livery.
Designed brand identities, packaging and campaigns for around 15 clients a year.
Prepared print-ready artwork with no costly reprints in two years.
Handed over Figma designs to developers with clear specs.
Took over the studio's artwork checks within a year.
Graphic Designer CV questions
Should a graphic designer CV be creative?
It should look designed and be easy to read. A clear layout, good type and one accent colour show more skill than heavy graphics, and it still needs to work for online application systems.
Do I need a portfolio as well as a CV?
Yes. Most design employers decide on the portfolio. Put the link at the top of your CV and keep it to your best, recent work.
Should I include skill bars or ratings?
No. "Photoshop: 4 out of 5" tells the reader nothing. List the tools and show what you made with them.