5 Amazing freelance graphic designer Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

You have a talent for creating visual designs that captivate and inspire customers. Your digital portfolio is full of glowing referrals from past clients. However, without a strong freelance graphic designer resume, it can be seriously tough to get your next freelance gig. Hiring managers and recruiters only view resumes that successfully pass a job-specific keyword search completed by automated software. Your resume needs to highlight your education and experience along with your skills in Adobe Creative Suite software, motion graphics, HTML web development, and your strong understanding of design principles. Creating that type of resume may seem like an impossible task, but the good news is, we can help. We have a resume example for you to follow that gets your resume through the keyword search and into the hands of the recruiter or hiring leader. By using our expert-approved tips, templates, and samples, you’ll be more likely to land an interview and get that freelance graphic design job you want.

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freelance graphic designer: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Professional Summary

A creative and passionate Freelance Graphic Designer with a keen eye for detail and a flair for producing visually stunning designs. Experienced in creating unique artwork for a variety of clients in the Art & Creative & Design field.

Employment history

Lead Freelance Graphic Designer, Pixar Emeryville, California

October 2012 – Present

Produce drafts, proofs, and finished art for print and electronic media
Incorporate changes recommended by the clients into the final design
Present design concepts to clients for approval

Freelance Graphic Designer, Etsy Brooklyn, New York

October 2011 – September 2012

Keep abreast of emerging technologies in new media, particularly design programs such as InDesign, QuarkXPress, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3ds Max, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash
Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry software and technologies

Jr. Freelance Graphic Designer, Pixar Emeryville, California

April 2010 – September 2011

Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters
Monitor current trends and styles in graphic design
Present design concepts to clients for approval

Education

Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, Washington, D.C.

Bachelor of Arts in Photography, March, 2010

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Troubleshooting

Visualization

Computer Literacy

Vector Graphics

Motion Graphics

Illustrator

Color Theory

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Employment history

Chief Freelance Graphic Designer, Google Mountain View, California

December 2022 – Present

Develop material for web pages, brochures, and other forms of communication
Keep abreast of emerging technologies in new media, particularly design programs such as InDesign, QuarkXPress, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3ds Max, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash
Prepare sketches, storyboards, or other visual aids to communicate design ideas

Associate Freelance Graphic Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

May 2022 – November 2022

Monitor current trends and styles in graphic design
Create original designs, concepts, and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts
Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters

Entry Level Freelance Graphic Designer, Google Mountain View, California

May 2021 – April 2022

Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites
Develop material for web pages, brochures, and other forms of communication
Monitor current trends and styles in graphic design

Education

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Master of Arts in Interior Design, March, 2021

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, March, 2017

Skills

Supervisory

Conflict Resolution

Collaboration

Relationship Management.

Photoshop

Color Theory

Photography

Illustrator

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Employment history

Senior Freelance Graphic Designer, Adobe San Jose, California

June 2018 – Present

Incorporate changes recommended by the clients into the final design
Monitor current trends and styles in graphic design
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites

Associate Freelance Graphic Designer, Google Mountain View, California

November 2017 – May 2018

Produce drafts, proofs, and finished art for print and electronic media
Incorporate changes recommended by the clients into the final design
Present design concepts to clients for approval

Jr. Freelance Graphic Designer, Facebook Menlo Park, California

May 2017 – October 2017

Estimate costs of materials and time to complete graphic projects
Develop material for web pages, brochures, and other forms of communication
Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters

Education

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Fine Arts Certificate, March, 2017

Skills

Documentation

Decision Making

Documentation

Attention to Detail

Concept Design

User Interface Design

Color Theory

Illustrator

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Professional Summary

A highly creative and motivated Freelance Graphic Designer with a passion for art and design. Experienced in creating high-quality visuals for a variety of clients and projects.

Employment history

Lead Freelance Graphic Designer, Apple Inc. Cupertino, California

July 2014 – Present

Develop material for web pages, brochures, and other forms of communication
Monitor current trends and styles in graphic design
Prepare sketches, storyboards, or other visual aids to communicate design ideas

Associate Freelance Graphic Designer, Apple Inc. Cupertino, California

July 2013 – June 2014

Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs
Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters
Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed

Jr. Freelance Graphic Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

January 2012 – June 2013

Create original designs, concepts, and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts
Incorporate changes recommended by the clients into the final design
Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed

Education

Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island

Graphic Design Certificate, December, 2011

Skills

Presentation

Social Media

Networking

Negotiation

Color Theory

Layout Design

3D Modeling

Photography

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Employment history

Chief Freelance Graphic Designer, Facebook Menlo Park, California

March 2021 – Present

Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Develop material for web pages, brochures, and other forms of communication
Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs

Freelance Graphic Designer, Adobe San Jose, California

August 2020 – February 2021

Analyze project objectives, specifications, and deadlines to determine project requirements
Create original designs, concepts, and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites

Entry Level Freelance Graphic Designer, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

September 2019 – August 2020

Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites
Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters
Monitor current trends and styles in graphic design

Education

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California

Master of Arts in Animation, July, 2019

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, July, 2015

Skills

Visualization

Negotiation

Collaboration

Quality Assurance

Digital Illustration

Vector Graphics

Web Design

User Interface Design

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freelance graphic designer Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an freelance graphic designer position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

freelance graphic designer

Created aesthetically-pleasing advertisements that complementedproducts
Put together videos for social media, advertising and informationalpurposes
Completed final touches for projects such as images sizes and fontselection
Used Photoshop to create images and layouts

freelance graphic designer

Used Adobe software to create images and layouts.
Contributed design ideas in early planning stages with customers and project managers.
Built corporate brands by designing cohesive looks between elements such as logos and letterheads.
Applied knowledge of production to create high-quality images.
Completed final touches for projects such as images sizes and font selection.
Created digital image files for use in digital and traditional printing methods.
Provided high quality results in a timely manner.

freelance graphic designer

Confer with clients to discuss and determine poster/banner design.
Generated detailed specs of final designs.
Planned, organized and scheduled work.
Updated computer graphic files using graphics software programs.

freelance graphic designer

Freelance Graphic, Web Designer, Social Media Specialist.
Work independently with various established and startup companies to create marketing and promotional web materials, plans and strategies. Successfully spearhead marketing campaigns on social media platforms.
Accelerated local presence and expanded client base with professionally designed business cards, appointment cards, and brochures.
Evaluated vendors and identified cost effective avenues for print production.

1 2 3

freelance graphic designer Job Skills

For an freelance graphic designer position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Adobe Creative Suite
Image Editing
Typography
Layout Design
Vector Graphics
Branding
Logo Design
User Interface Design
Digital Illustration
Color Theory
Concept Design
Web Design
HTML/CSS
Motion Graphics
Video Editing
Photography
3D Modeling

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your freelance graphic designer Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Lead Freelance Graphic Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

October 2014 – May 2022

Analyze project objectives, specifications, and deadlines to determine project requirements
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites
Incorporate changes recommended by the clients into the final design

Freelance Graphic Designer, Pixar Emeryville, California

April 2013 – September 2014

Produce drafts, proofs, and finished art for print and electronic media
Collaborate with other professionals such as printers, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, web developers, marketing specialists, and copywriters
Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs

Jr. Freelance Graphic Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

November 2011 – March 2013

Education

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Bachelor of Arts in Photography, September, 2011

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Mentoring

Problem Solving

HTML/CSS

Adobe Creative Suite

Motion Graphics

Layout Design

Unexplained Year Gaps and Missing Job Experiences are a No-no

Gaps in your resume can prevent recruiters from hiring you if you don't explain them.

Key Insights

It's okay to have gaps in your work experience but always offer a valid explanation instead of just hiding it.
Use the gap to talk about positive attributes or additional skills you've learned.
Be honest and straightforward about the gap and explain it using a professional summary.

How to Optimize Your freelance graphic designer Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Professional Summary

A creative and highly motivated Freelance Graphic Designer with a passion for art and design. Experienced in creating innovative designs for a variety of clients across multiple platforms.

Employment history

Chief Freelance Graphic Designer, Microsoft Redmond, Washington

December 2012 – Present

Keeep abrest of emergin technoligies in new media, particualrly desgin progams such as InDesgin, QuarkXPres, FreeHand, Illistrator, Photshop, 3ds Max, Acrobate, Directer, Dreamweaver and Flash.
"Maintains up-to-date knowledges of industry softwares and technologys".
Incorperate changs recomended by the clients into the finals design.

Freelance Graphic Designer, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

December 2011 – November 2012

Incorperte changs recomendeded by the clientss into the finall designe.
Devellop grapics and lay-outs for product illustraions, companny logos, and web-sites.
Prepear sketchs, storyboardes, or other visuall aidds too communicatte designe ideass.

Entry Level Freelance Graphic Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

June 2010 – November 2011

Presents designs concept to clients for approvals.
Prepear sketches, storyboards, or other visual ayds to communicat design ideaz.
Creates origanal desgins, concept's, and sample lay-outs based on knowlege of lay-out principles and esthetic design concept's!

Education

Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia

Graphic Design Certificate, May, 2010

Skills

Public Speaking

Leadership

Collaboration

Quality Assurance

Adobe Creative Suite

Web Design

Digital Illustration

Vector Graphics

Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Include your Contact Information

Missing contact information prevents recruiters from understanding you're the best fit for the position.

Key Insights

Make sure you're not missing contact information on your resume. That should include your full name, telephone number and email address.
Make sure to use a professional email address as part of your contact information.
Highlight your contact information and double check that everything is accurate to help recruiters get in touch with you.

freelance graphic designer Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an freelance graphic designer position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Lead Freelance Graphic Designer
Adobe
San Jose, California

To the Hiring Team at Adobe

As a Freelance Graphic Designer with a proven track record of success in Art & Creative & Design, I am excited to apply for the Lead Freelance Graphic Designer position at Adobe. I believe that my skills and expertise would make a valuable contribution to your team.

As someone who has faced challenges in various areas of my life and has overcome them, I am confident in my ability to adapt and thrive in any environment. I have developed a reputation for being a collaborative team player and an effective problem solver, which has been instrumental in my career's success. With my experience and passion for Art & Creative & Design, I am excited to apply my skills to this role and contribute to your organization's growth and success.

Thank you for considering my application for the Lead Freelance Graphic Designer position. With my skills and the amazing team at this organization, I am assured that I can contribute to your organization's success and make a meaningful impact. Looking forward to a future where we can work together.

Thank you for your time,
Jonathan Smith
825-840-4041
[email protected]

Jonathan Smith

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Showcase your most significant accomplishments and qualifications with this cover letter.
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