A template for designers who bring brands to life.
Graphic designers create visual content — logos, brand guidelines, marketing materials, social media assets, packaging, and digital ads. Day-to-day involves briefing calls with clients or stakeholders, designing in Adobe Creative Suite, presenting concepts, incorporating feedback, and preparing files for print or digital output. They work in-house at brands like Nike or Spotify, at agencies serving multiple clients, and as freelancers. Most in-house designers report to a Creative Director or Brand Manager, while agency designers report to an Account Director or Senior Designer.
Senior Graphic Designer with 4 years creating brand identities and marketing collateral for global lifestyle and tech brands. Specialise in visual storytelling, brand systems, and motion graphics.
Design hiring managers want to see breadth and depth. Show that you can work across brand identity, print, digital, and motion graphics. But also show depth in your specialty — if you are a brand designer, showcase identity systems you built from scratch. Include your portfolio URL in the header. A graphic design CV without a portfolio link will almost always be rejected.
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, typography, brand identity, print design, layout and composition, motion graphics (After Effects), and social media design. If you have photography or illustration skills, include those as well.
Over-designing your CV is the number one mistake. Your CV should demonstrate good design sense, but it is a professional document, not a poster. Avoid multiple fonts, excessive colour, and complex layouts that confuse ATS systems. Also, do not list every freelance project — curate the best examples and quantify the results.
Use a modern, clean template that subtly showcases your design sensibility. White space is your friend. Include a portfolio link in the header and mention specific project outcomes in your bullet points.
Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.
Apple and Nike hire for senior craft and a portfolio that demonstrates mastery of typography and brand systems — every piece should look like it belongs in a gallery. Agencies like Pentagram or Wieden+Kennedy want creative thinkers with strong concept skills, not just polished execution. In-house retail brands like Zara or IKEA want designers who can work fast and at volume within tight brand rules. Start-ups want generalists who can do social assets, pitch decks, and web design in the same week.
Use this template or start from scratch — our AI builder will guide you.