creative portfolio resume

• Website Planet

8 Best Portfolio & Resume Website Templates/Themes [2024]

• WordPress Themes

RyanCV – Get Straight to the Point

Photographer cv – reach a global audience, actor cv – include tons of personal info  .

• Website Builder Templates

Professional CV – Be Flashy, but Not Too Flashy

Save up to 50 % on your Wix plan!

Limited-time offer - Don't miss it!

Graffiti Artist – Display Lots of Visuals

Noll – encourage clients to get in touch.

Save up to 30 % on your Squarespace plan today!

Plus get a free domain for one year!

Elliot – Show Off Your Visual Prowess

Mike hamond – get your portfolio online fast.

• How to Get a Custom Template for a Great Price

• The Choice Is Yours

What’s important for a portfolio website?

How do i create a website for my resume, can i use an html template in wordpress, how can i host a portfolio website for free.

We check all comments within 48 hours to make sure they're from real users like you. In the meantime, you can share your comment with others to let more people know what you think.

Once a month you will receive interesting, insightful tips, tricks, and advice to improve your website performance and reach your digital marketing goals!

So happy you liked it !

Share it with your friends!

Or review us on

Save up to 50% on your Wix plan!

39 Creative Resume Examples & Templates (Creative CV Ideas)

This page may contain links from our sponsors. Here’s how we make money .

A creative resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is one document you can’t skimp on. This is true for everyone, but especially for designers and other creative professionals.

When applying for a job, the first impression you create is strong and longest-lasting. The same is true when making contact with a new potential client. That first impression has to help you stand out from your competitors.

That first impression is usually made via an online application, your website, an email, or even through social media. Hopefully, you already have a strong portfolio website , either a personal portfolio or your freelance business site. And hopefully, your social media presence continues your personal or business brand look and feel. But what about your resume?

Most job applications ask applicants to attach a CV or a resume. And after initial, brief research on your website or social media accounts, a prospective client will often ask for a resume if they don’t find the information they need or if they need to present a list of freelancers to their boss.

As such, no matter if you’re searching for a job or trying to land new clients, your resume design could be what differentiates you from a competitor with similar skills and level of experience. The right kind of creative resume truly reflects your character and experience in an expressive way.

The following are some excellent creative resume and CV examples to help get ideas flowing for your own resume design. Notice that some tend to remain more straightforward and business-like with a hint of creativity thrown in. Some go over the top in the creative aspect. And others strike a nice balance between the two extremes.

Designers have discovered new methods to showcase their skills and attributes in a bold way with creative CVs and resumes. You can come up with a highly creative resume idea, design it and then showcase your skills and abilities to the whole world.

You’ll need to make a calculated decision on your own resume design. If your brand look and style of work is highly artistic, then, by all means, go all out. If, however, you’re applying for a job in a less creative field, you may want to tone down tons of graphics and colors and stick with a more corporate look that still creatively reflects your personal brand.

Best Creative Resume Examples

We’ve searched to find the most creative resumes available. These creative resume examples and creative CV examples are sure to provide plenty of inspiration. And best of all, if you see a template you like, you can purchase it to save hours of your time.

Creative Resume by Jahangir Alam Jisan

Jisan’s creative CV uses icons, color, and bold banners to add creativity to his resume design. Plus, the unusual layout helps the information to stand out nicely while still maintaining a professional and organized look.

My Resume by Soumitra Saxena

This is another creative resume design that shows off the designer’s humor as well as his wide range of skills. Even with the creative illustration and extra information, the graphic design is still clean and organized, which says a lot about his engineering side as well.

Curriculum Vitae by Anton Yermolov

Both clean and colorful, Yermolov’s CV design stands out with neat columns and colorful icons. His illustrated self-portrait is a nice alternative to a photo and ensures it will look nice even if a client uses their own poor-quality printer to print a copy.

CV – Take a Look Inside by Amber Van Mieghem

Both the format and the fold of this CV design is fantastically creative. Amber does an excellent job of creating intrigue and keeping attention by leading to the next page with the fold.

Shameless Self-Promotion by Kyle Robertson

A personal logo is always a safe way to add some originality to a professional resume that needs to remain more on the corporate side. Robertson doesn’t stop there, though. His beautiful choice of fonts also adds to the appeal of his creative resume design.

My Resume by darthkix

Fitting a lot of information onto a single page is one of the more difficult parts of a resume, but darthkix solves this problem quite beautifully. The silhouette graphic on the background is a brilliant way to break up his information neatly but uniquely.

Resume by Yojna Shetty

I love how this creative resume organizes so much content so neatly onto a single page. At first glance, it is almost overwhelming, but the lines and other graphics help to draw the eye from one section to the next quite easily. It should not take very long for the viewer to go through it so each section and detail should be connected to the next one and everything should be displayed in a rather expressive and creative manner.

Self-Promotion by Syril Bobadilla

The bright colors in this original resume by Bobadilla are stunningly balanced out by the excellent, clean layout of content. Plus, the custom fonts add a very nice, original touch to the entire design.

Curriculum_Vitae by Francisco Hidalgo

I highly urge you to visit Hidalgo’s Behance page to view his curriculum vitae in full effect, as the images above do not do his gorgeous illustration justice. You can build on this idea and design similar creative resumes that are more than just a professional resume. Not only does his design show off his illustration skills, it also keeps his information easy to read and digest in a memorable viewing experience. Beautiful!

Curriculum Vitae by Camila Soto

Handwritten fonts and illustrations are a stunning touch in this creative CV and infographic resume by Soto. I love how each section is divided into boxes. Different calligraphic fonts have been put to use, few items have been sketched and you get a colorful resume for your work.

Resume by Roberta Cicerone

I really love how this website resume could also double as a poster-like print resume design. Roberta does an excellent job of keeping a visitor scrolling with uniquely phrased section headers and dotted lines. Different geometrical figures and calligraphic fonts have been displayed in quite a skeptical and playful way. Her illustrations and custom fonts are stunning!

Matthew Jhon Creative Resume Template

This modern template is perfect for a graphic designer or creative professional who wants a resume that makes a strong first impression on a hiring manager. You’ll have a place for your work experience highlights, as well as your education, skills, and contact info. The header and footer feature a stylish design. It comes as a Microsoft Word file (DOCX) and as a PDF.

This is one of the most creative and unique resume or CV templates you’ll find. It’s colorful and also includes a small illustration, as well as some shapes and icons. It comes in Ai, EPS, and PSD formats.

Alex Buell Template

If you want a resume or CV that stands out, this template is an excellent choice. It features a little bit of color and some subtle but stylish design elements to impress viewers. You can use the template in Word, Illustrator, or Photoshop. It comes in PDF and EPS format.

Colorful Resume Template

Who says resumes have to be boring? This template uses a lot of color, especially in the header, to really stand out. It comes in vector format (Ai and EPS file formats) and includes a template for a cover letter.

Charles Midleton Template

Here is another bright, colorful curriculum vitae template 100% guaranteed to stand out. It can be edited in Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator to quickly and easily create a beautiful resume. Shapes and colors make this design unique, but it also includes all the details needed to be effective.

Anthony Arlo

This colorful template features a large header with a photo and shapes that make a nice background for your bio and contact info. It also displays your relevant experience and skills attractively. Edit the template in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word.

Lester Chandler

This package includes a two-page creative CV template and a cover letter template. This design features bold black & white, large photos, and a clean design. It’s perfect for creative professionals who want a great-looking resume showcasing their abilities.

Modern CV Resume Template

This template features a stylish design and a big header with a place for your photo. The skills section uses a creative way to display your most essential skills and your level of expertise. It also includes a nice cover letter template.

Darryl Philbin

This creative resume template and CV template is also professional. It’s exceptionally well designed with a lot of style to ensure you stand out. There’s a spot for a photo in the header, and the download even comes with a photo filter, so your photo will match the style shown in the preview above.

Mono Resume

We’ve looked at some examples of colorful resumes, but this one takes a different approach with a monochromatic color scheme. It’s perfect for creative professionals because the header is innovative and interesting, allowing you to enter a photo. It’s also got plenty of room for all the important details about your experience and accomplishments.

Alan Querin

Here is another black & white design that definitely stands out from the typical resume template or CV template. It uses typography and some well-designed content blocks to create a truly professional resume.

If you want a resume or CV that will stand out without taking extreme measures regarding an unusual design, this one is a good option. It uses color and some nice design elements, but still has a clean look and feel. It comes in PSD, Ai, and EPS formats.

Steven Gerard

This unique design includes a full-page photo with a greeting and a second page with a full resume or CV with a photo header. The full-page photo could be skipped if you want the simple one-page option. It’s a well-designed and colorful template that you’ll love.

Mauro Haskey Template

This template uses a beautiful design and layout that features a small photo and a brief profile in the sidebar. It includes all the necessary details like contact info, work experience, and education. The skills section at the bottom uses star ratings to display strengths in different areas creatively.

Juandha Whitney

This clean and elegant template makes creating a curriculum vitae with a professional look easy. You’ll be able to show off your strongest skills, education, and work experience.

Claire Ridley

Here is another very clean and professional CV template with a nice design. The header includes room for a photo and a brief bio before getting into the details of your experience and background.

Henry Silly Template

Present your qualifications in a clean and professional way with the help of this creative resume template. It comes in Illustrator format with five different color variations that you can choose from, and of course, you can also edit the colors if you’d like.

Pink Resume Template

Now, here is one that’s sure to be unique! The design uses a pink background, probably unlike any resume you’ve ever seen. It also includes all of the usual details, so it’s functional too.

This template uses some splashes of color for a creative CV design. It includes space for a headshot, a skills section that utilizes star ratings, and an additional template for a cover letter. The download includes the designs in Ai and EPS formats.

Two-Page Modern Resume Template

This unique resume template is not only creative in terms of design and style, but it’s also one of the few two-page templates you’ll see in this showcase. The first page includes details about you and your skills, and the second page is focused on work experience and education. The templates come in Word and InDesign formats.

Indah Kusuma

This CV template uses a colorful header with a photo. The rest of the design is fairly clean and simple. You’ll also get matching cover letter templates. The files can be edited in Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator.

The Peachy CV Resume Template

The Peachy template makes use of icons and content blocks to display your experience and qualifications in an attractive way. The header includes a spot for a small photo along with your name and contact info. This template is ideal for highlighting a few past jobs or specific experiences that you’ve gained.

Taylor Sheeran Template

This stylish design stands out from the typical resume template without being too unconventional. The dark header and footer add contrast and visual interest. The header includes space for a small photo. It also comes with a template for a matching cover letter, which is sure to come in handy.

Carol Holmes

This modern resume template’s layout is pretty unique and will make you stand out from other job applicants. It also comes with a cover letter template and can be edited easily in Microsoft Word.

Jim Halpert

Although it’s a fairly simple design, this CV is definitely unique. It makes excellent use of typography and gives you a solid template that could be used in many different industries.

Anthony Silver

With the help of this template, you can get a very professional CV in no time. There’s a sport for your photo in the head, and the resume layout is beautifully designed to show off your experience and skills. It is provided in InDesign file format.

Web Designer Resume Template

This template is a fun way for web designers to present their professional resume or CV. It includes a spot for a QR code at the top, which is a cool touch. Of course, there’s also a section to show off your experience, and the skills section at the bottom presents a way to display your specific skills visually.

Walter Smith

With this template, you can pack plenty of detail into your resume or CV without a cluttered look. You’ll have a place for your work experience, education, skills, contact info, references, and a brief profile and photo. It comes in four different color variations.

You Only Have a Few Seconds… A Creative Resume Will Help

Your creative resume can make a strong first impression on a potential employer or recruiter. How creative is your resume or CV design? Are you confident yours will stand out from the rest of the pile? If not, then you may want to use one of the creative resume examples above (or use a resume builder) to model your own design, but don’t forget to consider your audience. And have fun with it so that your creative passion shines through loud and clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

A creative CV or resume will show off your skills or experience in a way that sounds out from most text-based resumes during a job search. It may include color or a more unique visual design. If you’re in a creative industries, like designers, taking this approach as a job seeker may help you to get an interview.

The easiest way is to use one of the many templates showcased on this page. In just a few minutes, you can have a beautiful resume or CV that you can be proud of. Check the creative CV ideas in this article to find one you like.

If you’re in a creative industry, taking a more original approach to your resume can be effective and may help you to land your dream job. However, in other industries you may be better off with a more traditional resume.

It really depends on the person who is receiving and reviewing the resumes. Look at it this way, many job openings receive at least 100 resumes. The creative approach is sure to makes your stand out and be noticed. Will it help every time? No. But getting noticed is an important step if you want to get an interview, especially in a creative profession.

Tara Hornor enjoys writing about advertising, marketing, branding, web and graphic design, and more. As Senior Editor for Creative Content Experts, she has over 2,000 published articles on the web. Connect with @TaraHornor for more design and freelancing advice.

30+ Creative Resume Templates for 2024 [Grab One Now!]

Want your resume to stand out in a pile of 1,000+ applications?

Then you need a creative resume template!

Here’s the thing - most resumes look alike. They’re all black and white, with a standard layout, and very generic content.

Do you want to impress the recruiter with your creativity and ingenuity, or do you want to just blend in with everyone else?

We’re thinking you want to go with option #1.

So, in this guide, we’re going to cover 30+ of the most creative resume templates we’ve seen on the web.

30+ Creative Resume Templates

The 3 ways you can go about using these 30+ creative resume templates are:

• You can use an online resume builder with ready-to-go templates.
• You can fire up MS word and use a Word template .
• Or, you could use a Google Doc resume template that you can edit online.

We’re going to include both free and paid templates, so you get to pick whichever suits your needs.

Here are 30+ creative resume templates you can start using now.

Creative Resume Template by Novorésumé

Price: Free

As an example, let’s say you work in marketing (or any other creative field).

If that’s the case, then you probably have natural talents for design and understanding what makes a person buy a product.

Think of your resume as the product here.

You can also apply this knowledge and skills to create your own resume and make it stand out from other candidates.

This resume template does just that. You can use it as inspiration, or you could also choose and customize according to your needs and job role.

From the colors to the layout, our creative resume template can help you land your dream job in the industry and kickstart your career.

Modern Resume Template by Novorésumé

Need something more modern, that’s both professional as well as flexible?

You can follow our modern resume template to stand out from the crowd in just about any industry.

That’s what’s so good about it - it has pretty much every resume section you’re going to need, and it’s easy to follow as well.

With a clean and modern aesthetic, this resume is a great way to quickly sum up your qualifications and stand out from other resumes with its great design.

Though the focus of this template is on the work experience , you can always customize it to your liking within a matter of minutes.

Functional Resume Template by Novorésumé 

This functional resume template is super simple and works for creative entry-level and senior position jobs alike.

There’s plenty of space for work experience , organizations , honors and awards , and more.

So, you can focus on either of the sections, depending on where you’re at at this stage in your career. 

And with the vibrant colors and a clear layout , you can’t go wrong with this template.

College Resume Template by Novorésumé 

Are you in college or a recent graduate with not a whole lot of work experience?

You can use this college resume template to show off your resume objective , skills, and experience (if you have any).

If you don’t have a lot of work experience though, you can also use the template to prioritize other sections.

The resume is extremely easy to follow, while staying under 1 page, and is an updated version of the 21st-century college resume template.

It’s simple and straightforward.

• Don’t have a lot of experience and need help writing your first resume? Check out our guide on how to make a resume with no experience .

Basic Resume Template by Novorésumé

This basic resume template is very easy to personalize and you can make it truly yours in just under 10 minutes.

If you want something that’s professional , yet also creative , you can’t go wrong with this one.

It has a very straightforward approach and a color scheme design that stands out from other candidates.

And the best thing is, it’s 100% customizable to your liking.

Executive Resume Template by Novorésumé

Do you have a lot of experience as well as technical skills you want to show off without your resume becoming cramped?

This executive resume template might be more up your alley.

It has a contemporary approach with plenty of sections for your work chops, as well as an eye-catching design that will make sure your resume is spotted first.

Just because it’s for a higher-up position, doesn’t mean the design should be boring.

Professional & Modern Resume Template by Hired Design Studio

Where to Get It: Behance

This modern resume template is great for creatives of all levels.

If needed, you can also go onto the 2nd page , and it even comes with a sample cover letter .

The soft colors are a nice change from other traditional resume colors and it’s incredibly easy to follow along with too.

If needed, the resume ALSO comes with a free icon pack of 100+ extra icons and a detailed user guide.

Creatives can go wild with this as it has pretty much everything you’ll need.

All you have to do is fill in the outline .

Intern Resume by Design Studio Teti

Price: $5.50

Where to Get It: Etsy

You’ll save time with this intern resume template and make sure your resume is unique.

If you’re looking to land the internship of your dreams, this resume can help you showcase your skills and accomplishments in the best way possible.

It’s easy to edit in Google Docs and comes with a cover letter template , as well as some extra resume writing tips and tricks.

And since it’s 100% editable, you can switch up any section , color , or even the font of the resume to match your vision.

PS - need more help with constructing an internship resume? Read more on our internship resume examples + writing guide .

Creative Resume Template for Word by Resume Studio Group

Where to Get It: Etsy 

This creative resume template for Word is a modern take on the one-page resume format.

It’s super functional as well as presentable. 

If needed, the template also comes with an easy-to-edit 2-page template , a cover letter , and as a cherry on top - a free interview preparation workbook .

It has just about every section you’d need too. 

Modern Resume Template by MoreProfesh

Price: $18.00

This modern resume template makes sure your name stays on the recruiter’s mind and your resume on top of their stack.

The design legwork is already done for you - it’s fun, memorable, and has just the right amount of quirky.

Professional Minimalistic Resume Template by Ease Design Studio

Price: $2.40

Sometimes, good old minimalism is what it takes to stand out.

If people in your industry tend to use fancier resumes with a lot of colors, a minimalistic resume could be what you need to stand out.

And that’s the case with this professional minimalistic resume template.

The clear structure guarantees to stand out from other candidates and the resume also comes with a guide on how to write a strong resume and a catchy cover letter .

You can edit pretty much the whole template (from the text to the colors and the font), and if needed, it also comes with its own icon pack.

So, if the design catches your eye, the template has pretty much everything else you’ll need.

One Page Resume With Photo by GetLanded

Price: $15.21

Want to beat the competition?

Get ahead with this photo resume template!

If the price tag seems expensive, know that this template also comes with detailed instructions , a FAQ file, and a guide on more resume tips and tricks.

As for the actual resume layout , the primary focus is on work experience, and if needed, you can continue onto the second page.

If you have the experience, this resume has the design.

All you have to do is fill in the blanks.

PS - wondering if you should include a photo in your resume? It might depend a lot on your location. Check out our full guide on including a photo on a resume for more info.

Clean and Simple Resume Template by ZokiDesign

Where to Get It: ZokiDesign

Clean and simple resume template with a minimalistic aesthetic, easy to format, and a layout that covers a lot of sections.

You can show off your work experience , background , education , skills , and even your hobbies .

There’s plenty to do here.

You can change the color scheme too, and with its format and layout - it’s ideal for almost all creative roles.

Clean Resume/CV + Cover Letter Combo by Tamzid Hasan

This clean resume/CV cover letter template is both professional AND creative!

It follows a clean color scheme and a layout that mainly focuses on work experience.

Other then that, it also comes with:

• Microsoft Word (Docx) files.
• CV/Resume + Cover letter and references.
• 1 and 2 page version.
• Paragraph styles and free fonts.

Not too bad, right?

If you have plenty of work experience (5+ years), you can easily continue onto the 2nd page with this template and it’ll STILL look good.

Professional Personal Brand Resume by Mukhlasur Rahman 

Price: $8.86

Have a bright personality and want to express within your resume?

You can now do so with this professional personal brand resume template.

As long as you work within the creative industry, you can get away with having a resume that shines personality.

The Word template follows a consistent color scheme and a layout designed specifically for being loud.

It’s professional, beautiful, and most importantly - unique .

If needed, you can customize just about every detail of the resume.

But even when left as it is, it’s still going to stand out from a folder of resumes.

Free Resume/CV Template by Pune Design Studio 

With this creative resume template by Pune Design Studio, the default bright colors help you stand out, and you can always edit or customize them based on your vision.

The package comes with 4 PSD files so, the whole template is 100% customizable.

If you know your way around Photoshop, you can edit the layers as you wish. And if not, the resume also comes with a help file of instructions .

And once everything is to your liking, the resume is automatically print-ready.

Simple as that.

Resume Template 4 Pack by Refinery Resume Co

Where to Get It: CreativeMarket

Your life doesn’t fit into one page?

Then you might want this resume template 4 pack to get your resume refined and noticed.

As long as you have the experience for it, this resume has the space.

From the first hello in your cover letter down to the references, this pack is the full package.

What’s included:

• Photoshop, Illustrators, MS Word file.
• Optional 2nd page (and more), template.
• Optional references and cover letter template.
• All the fonts used.

Infographic Resume Template by Microsoft

Where to Get It: MS Office Templates

Show you know your way around design and you’re not afraid to get creative with this infographic resume template.

It follows a modern chronological order, starting with your most recent job experience, going down to your previous jobs.

With it, you can list your qualifications in an extremely unique way, while still being easy to follow.

This is a great example of custom tailoring your resume to your industry.

As far as creative resumes go, this one will definitely catch some eyes.

Free Resume Template by Fernando Báez 

This free resume template screams high quality.

After using it to get a few jobs with the very same template, Fernando is now sharing his resume secrets.

A free resume that’s already been tried-and-tested? 

What’s not to love.

In it, you’ll find all the fonts used, a free icon set , and an Adobe Illustrator file .

PS - Wondering what font to use in your resume? Check out our guide on what’s the best resume font, size, and format .

Creative Resume Designed by MOO

This creative template by MOO was made for jobseekers wanting to show off their creativity and eye for design.

It’s customizable to your needs, and with its neutral color scheme, you can show off your creative side with just a minute or two of editing.

It’s accessible for job-seekersof all levels. Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, you’ll at least stay memorable with this resume.

And sometimes, being memorable is all that it takes to land the interview.

Slick and Elegant Resume Template by InkAndOcean

Price: $15.36

First impressions are everlasting.

Get noticed by employers with this slick and elegant resume now.

All you have to do is customize your text in the simple resume layout.

You can also easily edit text color , as it’s an MS Word format, and change the font type as well.

The cover letter also follows a similar black and jade design. So, if you want to stay memorable, half the work is already done for you.

All that’s left for you to do is fill in your background.

Bold Monogram Resume by Microsoft

Is your resume as bold as your personality?

If you’re using this bold monogram resume - you’re practically making a statement.

And that statement is that you’re not afraid to present your experience and talent in a stylish way.

The template also includes helpful tips for building an effective resume, with the focus being on your resume objective.

Meanwhile, the rest of the resume follows a smooth order in a way that makes sense.

Creative Watercolor Template for Word by TheArtofResume 

Price: $5.09

This watercolor template follows an interesting color scheme design that would only ever work in the creative industry.

If you’re a creative by craft, then you’re in luck.

The watercolor template is 100% customizable and there is no need to download anything else except just the resume pack.

The pack also comes with extra page templates, a cover letter, a reference page , 250+ extra icons, and even a resume writing guide.

A unique design with plenty of customizable options.

What else would you need?

Attention Resume by Spovv 

Where to Get It: Creative Market

Possibly the most unique resume template on this list so far, the attention resume template definitely lives up to its name.

And if it’s unique for this list, you know for a fact it’s going to stand out from other job applicants applying for the same job.

The template has been professionally designed, so editing it is a piece of cake for every beginner.

The clean and elegant look aside, the pack is also:

• A4 and US letter paper size.
• Print ready.
• Efficiently labeled with organized layers
• Easy to use.
• For any creative job.

Clean Resume Template by HalfCircle 

Where to Get it: Creative Market

A large part of having a clean resume that catches eyes is the design and the colors.

And that’s the case here.

This template comes with 3 different color schemes, with a clean layout and an easy-to-read font choice.

Though, probably the best thing about this template is the use of white space.

There’s plenty of space between each section, and nothing feels cramped.

No doubt the HR manager reading this resume will find it easy to do so.

It’s the exact blend of professional and creative that’ll be the main factor in landing you the job.

2 Column Resume Template for Word by OdonoDesign 

Price: $0.80

This 2 column resume is easy to use and professionally designed if you don’t have the time to format your own layout.

The template also comes with a 2nd page (if needed) and a cover letter file.

But unless you have a really long and extensive work history, you’ll have no problem fitting all of your work experience with 1 page.

And because of the column design, it’s all going to look great and be easy to follow.

For people in the creative industry, this is a really concise way to show off your qualifications.

Elegant Resume by Horea Nicodin 

Where to Get It: Dribble

Feeling fancy and want to leave a lasting first impression?

Why not do so with this elegant resume template.

Everything about it screams classy, while still being professional and modern.

If you’re the type of person who enjoys the finer things in life (yes, including your resume), this template might be more up your alley and be worth the price tag.

Though, remember the design can’t do all the work for you.

You won’t get hired just for the looks of your resume - the content inside has to be good too!

2 Page Resume/CV Combo by ResumeTemplates 

If you’re going to break the 1-page resume rule, then you’ll want to do so while looking good.

And that’s where this 2-page resume combo comes in. 

It’s compatible with Word, all image-editing software, and everything is well-layered and editable.

To top it all off, it’s also ready to print.

You can be up and running with your resume in your hands, after just 10 minutes of editing the template.

Professional Profile Resume Template by TheArtofResume

Where to get it: Etsy

Need a professional resume that presents your profile the best way?

This creative template has just the right amount of space for the About Me section. 

Start with a summary of your qualifications and skills, and then back them up with your work experience and skills sections .

All this, while having plenty of space within the sections and space to breathe.

If needed, the template also goes up to 3 pages, and even comes with a cover letter.

And on top of that - everything is customizable.

But even if you were to go with the default colors, you’d probably be fine as the color scheme and the design is on point here.

Key Takeaways

To recap, design isn’t everything.

But typically, it’s the first thing recruiters notice when looking at your resume.

Start there.

Pick a creative resume template that lets you stand out without costing you professionalism.

Once you’ve picked the right template, you need to work on the contents. Not sure how? Here are some of our best guides on perfecting your resume:

Suggested Reading:

• How to Make a Resume - Complete Guide
• How to Pick the Best Resume Format in 2024 [+Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job in 2024

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Build my resume

• Resume builder
• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• 184 free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

19 Graphic Designer Resume Examples That Work in 2024

Graphic Designer Resume

• Graphic Designer Resumes by Experience
• Graphic Designer Resumes by Role

Writing Your Graphic Designer Resume

You can whip up a new logo in a flash, your friends turn to you when they need help with Photoshop, and you’re always doodling on your notes. You’re a great graphic designer, and it shows.

But when it comes to writing great resumes to prove your skills (not to mention writing cover letters ), employers want more than just your portfolio pieces. Plus, discussing your design skills and experience on your resume can take a lot of effort.

Our graphic designer resume examples have  helped graphic designers land highly coveted jobs at companies like Stripe and Apple,  so they’re an excellent place to get inspired to create your great resume.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• This can be tricky for some graphic design roles, so it’s okay if your work isn’t the sole reason for improvement. Simply highlight your overall impact as part of the graphic design, marketing, or sales team.
• Portfolios are more or less a requirement for graphic design roles, so make sure to include a link to your own.
• If you choose to add a  resume objective  to your graphic designer resume, you need to customize it for each job to which you apply. One way to do this is to include keywords from the job description. Don’t forget to mention the company by name! 

Beginner Graphic Designer Resume

• One thing that you can count on is a career objective that’s both inspiring and clear on what you intend to do once you’re hired.

Junior Graphic Designer Resume

• If you’re light on relevant work experience, include any relevant projects or internships. Just make sure to include metrics when you can, as any recruiter will treat an internship like a job and will thus expect a demonstration of your impact.
• You don’t have to be an expert, but generally speaking, only include skills you can talk about in an interview.

Senior Graphic Designer Resume

• Demonstrating your impact proves you’re a designer who thinks about your work within a broader context and does their best to help a company grow.
• If you’re wondering what to include, start with metrics relating to time or people. How many hours did you help your team save? How many new customers did you gain? How many people viewed your designs?
• The activities section isn’t always a good choice, but it can be a useful addition in some cases. If your  resume’s section of hobbies and interests  demonstrates leadership, persistence, or other useful skills, you can include this section to give you a boost over the competition. 

Graphic Design Student Resume

• Showcase projects where you’ve used Affinity Designer, Adobe Fresco, or Canva to create compelling visuals or your use of resources like Pixabay and Coolors for inspiration and project enhancement.
• School work totally counts, too, so highlight available metrics from completed projects like grades or peer reviews.
• This approach underscores your hands-on experience with design tools and ability to complete projects successfully, irrespective of traditional employment.

Self Taught Graphic Designer Resume

• In addition, line up one or two projects, which if adopted into real-world scenarios, would help transform marketing trends and outcomes for all-size businesses.

Creative Designer Resume

• If you can back your creative designer resume with a fine arts degree in graphic design, you’ll be able to show your enthusiasm for the work and be on the hiring list for any employer.

Visual Designer Resume

• Mention tools like Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape, Figma, and InVision that speak volumes about your artwork. Adding such skills will convey that you’re well-versed with the latest design tools and can create modern designs with ease!

Logo Designer Resume

• Borrow a script from how Ben weaves competencies in Blender, Figma, CorelDRAW, and so on to get things done and increase user engagement.

Motion Graphic Design Resume

• An experience at a junior level accompanied by what you learned and your input can be an effective anchor you can use to boost the chances of your motion graphic designer resume making it beyond the shortlisting stage.

Social Media Graphic Designer Resume

• Put everything in its place and let the hiring teams find it easy to follow your career path. Most importantly, ensure there’s no clutter because that is a big turn-off.

Web and Graphic Designer Resume

• Following the same tactic, achieving 97% customer satisfaction for several projects is a true testimony to your work ethic and client-focused approach.

Freelance Graphic Designer Resume

• Highlight how you’ve leveraged Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, or CorelDRAW to deliver creative solutions to client projects, citing specific examples.
• Discuss using project management tools like Asana to meet deadlines and coordinate with clients—all while delivering high-quality work.

Graphic Design Specialist Resume

• For example, you mention how your work generated more traffic on social media or how you helped the marketing team create a campaign.
• Including numbers that highlight your impact will drastically increase your chances of landing an interview. Companies often receive hundreds of applications for a single role, so as you  craft your resume , keep in mind how you can stand out.
• Graphic designers are expected to be proficient with many different tools, especially the industry standard, Adobe Creative Suite. So make sure to let employers know if you’re skilled at Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Creative Graphic Designer Resume

• Some of the most popular mediums we’ve seen are print media, video, website design, and logo design.
• Make sure to add any experience you have with heading a project or leading a team.
• Showing an increase in responsibility throughout your career is another great way to show your initiative.
• For example, mentoring other graphic designers demonstrates positive growth as a leader.

Production Artist & Graphic Designer Resume

• You can improve your format by choosing two tastefully contrasting fonts, utilizing white space throughout your resume, and using bold (but not garish) colors in your header and titles.
• Don’t get so caught up in formatting that you neglect your content—use a  resume template  to help speed up the formatting process.
• Focus on picking relevant projects that have some link to the job description.

Marketing/Graphic Design Coordinator Resume

•  If you choose to include a summary, you’ll need to ensure it’s unique and personalized for every application you submit. Otherwise, skip adding it and focus on your work experience instead.
• Specialize your summary by mentioning the specific job title you’re seeking, the company’s name, and any examples of work you’ve done throughout your career that’s highly relevant for the job. Just be sure to keep it under three sentences. 

Senior Apparel & Graphic Designer Resume

• Giving a two-to-three sentence rundown of your career can be a challenge, so break it down into three components: who you are, your biggest success, and what assets you bring to the company.
• Think back on your career and list your biggest accomplishments that you can quantify/explain in a single sentence. Did you increase site engagement by 72 percent by incorporating a more modern, user-friendly layout and graphics? Did you design the company’s newsletter which was sent out to 2,000 customers? 
• Adobe offers certification courses for many of their Creative Cloud products, and there are many courses offered through universities to give you a leg-up over the competition. 

Graphic Designer/Administrative Assistant Resume

• Since you’re in a creative field, you can include more kinds of projects than a technical role would allow, but try to limit your choices to activities/projects that require(d) taking initiative, additional research, or learning a completely new skill. 
• If you choose to include one, you’ll need to ensure it’s unique and personalized for every application you submit. 
• Though including a  resume objective  is optional, it gives you a chance to address the employer by name and establish what they will gain by hiring you. 

Related resume guides

• Interior Design
• Social Media Manager

Graphic design is one of the most profitable professions in the freelance industry, and the position is growing more popular. Graphic designers serve as visual communicators who craft concepts using a stroke of their pen or a click of their specialized graphic design software.

Their main aim is to convey ideas to inform, inspire, or capture customers through physical and virtual art forms like words, images, and abstract elements like colors and shapes. However, graphic designers aren’t just glued to their drawing tables—they spend a lot of their time communicating with clients, customers, and other creators to ensure that their designs replicate the intended message and hit the intended audiences.

Standing out in the graphic design field isn’t easy. There are about 266,000 graphic designers already in the competitive market, and the number continues to rise. Even if you’re working on your letter of resignation email and giving your job application your best shot, you don’t want to end up in the “reject pile” because of your resume.

The best way to increase your chances of getting hired is to  craft a perfect graphic designer resume . You can showcase your skills, explain your experience, and quantify your impact in a way your portfolio can’t.

When it comes to your graphic designer resume,  we’ve got four critical tips for taking your resume from the trash bin to the top choice . When you understand the role of your skills section, resume formatting, metrics, and customization, you’ll be well on your way to landing your next job. 

Put the spotlight on your graphic design skills

Most recruiters don’t have time to go through the nitty-gritty details in your graphic designer resume. They have only seconds to spare, which they’ll likely use to examine your  resume’s list of skills  and determine whether or not they’re relevant to their needs.

Recruiters aren’t the only ones you have to impress; when recruiters have a stack of resumes to weed through, they depend on an applicant tracking system (ATS) to filter out resumes lacking keywords—skills relevant to the specific job. 

That’s why the skills section of your graphic designer resume is vital. Because graphic design jobs can differ greatly in duties and requirements, your skills section should reflect your knowledge and abilities in relation to the company or organization. If you properly showcase your various skills, you can easily beat the ATS.

Here’s how you can spotlight your skills in your graphic designer resume:

• Write specific skill keywords in a bulleted list in your resume’s skills section
• Use numbers and examples to quantify and demonstrate your skills in the work experience section
• Emphasize your most relevant skills in the resume objective or summary

We don’t recommend adding more than 10 skill keywords to your skills section, but there’s still plenty of room to catch an employer’s eye. Here are some of the top hard (technical) and soft (general) skills you could include in your graphic designer resume: 

• Adobe Illustrator 
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Gravit Designer 
• Sketch 
• Activating negative space
• Color theory
• Typography 
• Visual hierarchy 
• JavaScript 
• Communication
• Organization

Formatting your graphic designer resume

Your resume is more than just your relevant experience, employment history, education, and skills; it also serves as a marketing tool. Recruiters only spend seconds looking at a given resume and tend to pass over the boring or generic ones. They want to see your unique accomplishments and the value you can provide to their company.

This is a direct ticket to an interview. That’s why you should ensure your resume reveals the best  you  possible. As such, you’ll want to choose the right  resume format  for your graphic designer resume. While many job seekers choose skills-based or hybrid-based formats, it’s almost always best to choose a reverse-chronological format. Employers can hone in on your most recent and relevant experience, letting your most relevant accomplishments and achievements shine. 

Consider these vital points when crafting your graphic designer resume:

1. Fixing up your resume’s appearance:

• Consistency in layout, punctuation, font, and font size
• Work experience is in bullet points for readability
• Minimal color (headers and titles only)
• Left-aligned text (your contact header is the exception)
• Headers to distinguish sections

2. Meeting organization and technical requirements:

• Only a page long
• A recognized file format (such as PDF)
• An objective/summary when necessary

Graphic designer resume objective

Speaking of an objective/summary, perhaps you’re wondering whether you need one in your graphic designer resume. First, let’s explain the difference between the two.

A  summary  is a two-to-three-sentence statement that summarizes your skills, work experience, and any specializations. It’s best used when someone has been in graphic design for 10+ years. 

On the other hand, an  objective  is a two-to-three sentence statement that introduces your interests, qualifications, and how you’ll add value to the role you’re seeking. A  resume objective  is best used for career changers or entry-level job candidates. 

The two are very similar, so it’s less important to understand the difference between them and more important that you pay attention to what you write for them. Vague statements and generalizations waste your and the recruiter’s time, so if you’re in doubt or are struggling to get it right, exclude it altogether. 

If you’re a graphic designer looking for an entry-level position, an objective can specifically emphasize personal qualities and skills. To get the recruiter’s attention, mention the company by name and share how you intend to contribute to your desired company: 

How to measure your impact as a graphic designer

Clients and customers appreciate your designs, but it can be tricky to link graphic design to business growth. Don’t gloss over metrics, though; they’re worth the extra effort. 

Design can become a key contributor to success, but only if you demonstrate how design is related to growth. There are various ways you can measure your impact on your graphic designer resume:

• Online success: if you’re dealing with digital design projects like a website or email marketing, it’s easy to trace metrics like engagement and conversions. A/B tests may also help you compare particular design details to determine which projects perform best.
• Improved sales: your design project(s) may facilitate an increase in the number of customers or number of purchased goods, pointing to successful work on your end.
• Increased customer retention: if your graphic design work piques a customer’s interest, they’re more likely to stick around and purchase something. Or, they can share your work and increase your company’s reach.
• Customer reviews and comments: keep track of good client reviews to show companies that your work is loved and impactful. 

You may be thinking, “that’s great, but how do you translate that into a resume?” Our samples can provide some worthwhile inspiration, as seen here: 

Build a custom graphic designer resume

For every graphic design job you apply for, you need to tailor your resume accordingly. Customizing your graphic designer resume not only demonstrates competency but also care and attention towards the employer and the specific position. Trust us: there aren’t many job seekers taking the extra time to tailor their resumes accordingly, so make yours unique by tailoring your skills, work experience, and objective/summary sections for every job.

We also have customization tips for different  graphic designer job descriptions  and  graphic designer cover letters .

Graphic designer or graphic design specialist resume

• As a graphic designer or graphic design specialist, you likely have solid experience under your belt already, so this might be the time to include a summary statement highlighting your best skills and achievements. 
• Again, pay close attention to the skill keywords listed in the job description.

Creative graphic designer resume

• For example, if you design ads for social media, reflect this in your skills and work experience. 
• Leverage your job description bullet points to showcase your leadership and teamwork abilities. Include any work on various projects with co-workers or cross-functional teams. 

Senior graphic designer resume

• Lead a team 
• Communicate with cross-functional teams and internal management
• Manage (and finish) projects
• Additionally, with this level of experience, you may choose to include a career summary. Don’t forget to tailor it to the new role you’re seeking! 

Junior graphic designer resume

• Nabbing that first real job can feel daunting when most employers want at least a year of experience, but all is not lost.
• Include any internship experience, if you have it. If you don’t, consider getting an internship to gain useful skills and a new addition to your resume.
• Projects can also be priceless. Have you designed a custom website for a friend? Did you create a logo for your aunt’s small business? These sorts of one-time projects may not pay well (or at all), but they can prove you have what it takes to do the job. 

Key points for your graphic designer resume

By taking your graphic designer resume seriously, you’ll be far ahead of the average applicant and much closer to accepting a job offer. 

Now it’s time to put the pedal to the metal and actually write your resume. Upload an old resume or start from scratch with our  user-friendly resume maker . You can choose from our  best resume templates  for an attractive and ATS-friendly layout that’s sure to snag the attention of recruiters.

Your dream job is just around the corner, so get your resume in tip-top shape and land the job you’ve been waiting for!

• Photo Books
• Layflat Books
• Trade Books
• Notebooks & Journals
• Pricing Calculator
• Shipping Calculator
• PDF To Book
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Lightroom
• Adobe Photoshop
• BookWright Templates
• Blurb Bookstore
• Large Order Services
• API Printing
• All Categories
• Photography
• Biographies & Memoirs
• Children’s Books
• Business & Economics
• Literature & Fiction
• Help Center

CAN I SEE YOUR WORK?

It’s the first question you’ll hear when you go after a new job or client.

That’s why a portfolio is a must for anyone working in a creative field. Whether you’re a graphic designer, photographer, writer, or artist, your creative portfolio is a self-branding tool that lets you tell your professional story. And for creatives, it’s much more important than a resume.

Today’s portfolios come in many forms. Digital portfolios, or e-portfolios, have become trendy in our remote world for their accessibility, affordability, and shareability. But physical portfolios, like perfectly bound print portfolio books, remain timeless and effective tangibles that wow those in face-to-face meetings.

Beyond format, you need to figure a lot out to land on a creative portfolio that captures both your work and your unique brand. This handbook has everything you need to effectively sell your skills—chock full of research, tips, and case studies.

Table of Contents

1. Panel: Your creative contributors

2. Introduction: What is a creative portfolio?

3. Research: Why you need a portfolio as a creative

4. Perspective: What to consider before you begin

5. Execute: How to create your portfolio

6. Pitch: Using Blurb to get started

1. PANEL Creative contributors

Leading creatives contributed their advice and personal stories on creating an effective portfolio.

J. Nordberg Senior director of brand and creative

Susan Tanabe Senior copywriter

Jenny Ackerman Senior art director

Dakota Brinkert Designer and social digital creator

Dan Milnor Creative evangelist and photographer

John Zilly Creative director

Written by Aer Parris

2. INTRODUCTION What is a creative portfolio?

Anyone in any industry can create a portfolio to document and share their work. But when creativity is your profession, it’s essential to have an inspiring, organized, and imaginative portfolio demonstrating your originality.

By definition, a portfolio is a unique collection of work samples, methods, and other materials that provides an overview of your skills, capabilities, and qualifications as a creative. It's way more than a resume; your book offers tangible evidence of your proudest projects. So it should be highly curated and tailored for the job you're going after—while remaining true to your brand.

There are no hard and fast portfolio rules. But the underlying purpose remains consistent: to showcase your talents, experience, and accomplishments comprehensively. And do it creatively.

An essential tool for all types of creatives

In nearly every creative discipline—content writing, fashion design, photography, or architecture—prospective clients and employers want to see samples of your work before hiring you. And in today’s competitive landscape, providing this proof of work is a benchmark requirement.

A portfolio is an essential tool for creatives because it enables prospects to gauge your skills, previous work experience, and how well your abilities align with the creative direction behind their needs.

When a high-profile clothing brand needs to hire a freelance photographer for a shoot, they want to see candidates with a book full of remarkable examples of catalog and fashion photography. So, if you share a creative portfolio highlighting your experience, skills, and eye for photography in those genres, plus a unique personality, you’ll stand out in the pile of applicants.

3. RESEARCH Why you need a portfolio as a creative

"If the word ‘creative’ is used to describe the work you do or want to do, you need a portfolio," says Susan Tanabe, Blurb’s senior copywriter. "This goes for photographers, makeup artists, interior designers, visual artists, copywriters, and the like."

But why must creatives have one? We’ve compiled research findings and case studies that underscore your need for a well-curated portfolio.

83% of employers want you to show (rather than tell) your skills

We've all heard the writing adage you must show rather than tell. Unsurprisingly, it's true while job hunting in the creative industry, too. Samples that put your work on display say more about your abilities than words on a resume can.

In fact, a survey conducted by Hart Research Associates revealed that an astounding 83% of employers surveyed thought portfolios accurately represented a potential employee's capability and aptitude. So, five of six businesses use portfolios to make hiring decisions.

For many employers, relying on portfolios over resumes is especially true for recent graduates. After all, a 4.0 graphic design student may be good at completing class projects but not good at thinking outside the box—or a fine art student might be fantastic at lifelike portraits of celebrities at university but terrible at cartoon dogs for high-end pet brand paid work.

"Portfolios continue to be the ultimate purveyors of creative potential," according to research by Blakeman & Hoy . "For students, their portfolio tells the story of their passion for the craft of advertising (design or copywriting), highlights their conceptual and strategic abilities, and promotes their knowledge of design and copy use within diverse mediums."

Let your work speak for itself in a portfolio that shows exactly who you are as an artist or creative professional. A well-conceived portfolio speaks volumes to prospective employers and clients about your skillset, capabilities, and experience. And it can be the deciding factor when choosing between you and someone with similar qualifications on paper.

Case study: graphic design program portfolio

Shundiin Nakai, an Albuquerque-based creative and member of the Navajo Nation, created a print portfolio to showcase her work at the end of her graphic design program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.

"This book started as an assignment in one of my last classes," Nakai says. "I wanted to give readers insight into who I am and the type of design work I want to do."

She didn’t stop there. Nakai pushed herself to create a brand identity that truly displayed herself as a designer. "The personal aspect of this project, who I am and the type of work I want to do, was the hardest for me," she shares. "The time spent on this book ultimately gave insight into how I find solace in creativity."

It is a gorgeous book that shows off Nakai’s talents as a graphic designer—allowing employers to understand what is unique about her process and what she brings to the table, even without paid experience. Explore her book, Solace , now.

Convey culture fit and communication style to 9 out of 10 employers

Recruiters and hiring managers are searching for applicants who can bring more than just a good resume (or good grades) to the table. According to a 2021 comparative study , employers want people that can fit into their company culture and display innovative skills, neither of which can be easily determined from a single-page resume.

The same study found that 9 in 10 employers who participated in a survey (180 businesses total) indicated that digital portfolios were "somewhat useful" or "very useful" during the hiring process. That's because portfolios provide not only a snapshot of your work experience and creativity, but also insight into your strategy, organization abilities, and communication skills.

Portfolios are more than just pictures of your project samples—they're your chance to build a narrative about your work and your own identity as a creator. They show how well you can sell yourself and share a vision.

Case study: professor’s portfolio on identity

Artist and graphic design professor Chen Gao creates a portfolio every few years. In her latest edition, My Design Narrative , she explores her identity as a Chinese immigrant and its impact on her work.

"The feelings [in this portfolio] are represented in a first-person narrative that depicts my background and experience," she shares. "It illustrates the person (myself) who lived outside their homeland for several years and shared feelings about being distanced and lost in the conjunct place."

In her classroom, she does the same work, teaching her students how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, but also how to provide and receive constructive feedback from peers. It’s this last piece, she believes, that allows them to explore and share their own identity in portfolio form.

"Giving critical responses to peers is also a process of thinking clearly about themselves," Gao explains. "They will gradually discover their interests and find ways to solve problems. Then creating portfolios even after graduating is no longer a big thing."

We talked to Gao about her portfolio, teaching, and print's importance in a digital world. You can read the interview here .

Get discovered in an increasingly competitive global industry

The creative industry is growing rapidly, and to keep up, you need a portfolio that will make you stand out. Whether it’s for landing a gig or securing a freelance job, having an impressive portfolio—that can be found online—can help you get discovered by the right people.

Let's look at the numbers. The sheer number of freelancers in the United States continues to climb, contributing $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2022, according to Zippia . Freelancers comprise a dominant portion of the workforce for many industries, including 75% of the arts and design industry's total workforce. Additionally, 82% of all freelancers in the U.S. fall into the category of freelance writers.

Add to the freelance economy the gig economy and the competitive nature of the creative industry comes into focus. Experts project wages in the global gig economy will go from $134 billion in 2018 to $298 billion throughout 2023 , a considerable 122% increase. Similarly, they anticipate global gig workers will rise from 43 million in 2018 to 78 million in 2023, an 81% jump!

So why a portfolio? The answer is simple: a website or digital portfolio with the right keywords included is a reliable way to get found in a sea of creative options. As a freelancer or gig worker, you want to build your portfolio to rise to the top of searches. Just imagine how many jobs would roll your way if a prospective typed "Seattle portrait photographer" into Google and your name popped up.

Case study: lessons from a digital portfolio

Dakota Brinkert was hired by Blurb a year ago, thanks in large part to his fine-tuned digital portfolio. Brinkert built his website to collect granular user data that informed his design and interview strategies. He used Google Analytics to see which pages each potential employer visited, how long they were on each page, and their user journey. From there, he made changes to help guide hiring managers through his portfolio to make a bigger impact.

He also shaped his interviews based on this information. Brinkert even went so far as to create landing pages specifically for each hiring manager, attempting to answer every question they may have had in an easy, eye-catching way. Want to do the same? He suggests using human-centered design principles:

  • Understand what your audience needs and then serve it to them effortlessly.   • Track the user journey through your portfolio site and then make changes based on where visitors get tripped up or drop off.

"Creative work is problem-solving work, and (good) employers will want to know your approach and the thought process behind your solution," he goes on. "Provide case studies that show you’re capable of understanding a problem and that you’re strategic in your efforts to solve it. Walk your user through your creative execution and provide proof of its success in the real world. Oh, and don’t forget to show a bit of who you truly are."

"Designers, photographers, illustrators, artists, art directors, writers ... you must have a portfolio. No one cares about a resume."

Track your creative progress

We've talked about portfolios to pitch yourself to others, but they can also be just for yourself. "A career portfolio gives you a unique professional identity that evolves alongside you," writes April Rinne for Harvard Business Review . "It’s naturally aligned with lifelong learning and meant to help you expand your professional community and access to leadership opportunities."

Looking back at your career can help you make sense of your journey and build a professional narrative. As Rinne explains in her think piece, rather than expecting a linear step-by-step toward the apex of your creative career, you can embrace your varied roles and find connections between them.

Try constructing a creative portfolio that celebrates diversity—the same way you would your financial or investment portfolio. By tracking your creative progress in multiple formats and industries, you can take stock not only of where you are today, but also of the growth and learning opportunities you might want to explore in the future.

Case study: four decades of embroidery

Fiona Almeleh, a Devon-based embroidery artist, painter, and writer, created a comprehensive catalog of the hand-embroidered pieces she’s developed over her career. By looking back, she rediscovered what a life of artistry means to her.

"My work is always unplanned and organic in nature, inviting a conscious, creative involvement with the flow of life," she writes. "Committing to this process daily brings me great peace and joy."

Her portfolio features a preface explaining her journey into this embroidered, threaded, and sculptural work, followed by photographs of each of her pieces. True works of art standing alone, her art demands even more attention when gathered together.

Explore Almeleh’s body of work here.

4. PERSPECTIVE What to consider before you begin

Research shows that creatives require portfolios to find full-time roles or one-off gigs. But what do you need to know before you begin? Here we'll cover the never-ending debate between digital and print portfolios as well as industry-specific considerations.

Should you create a digital or print portfolio?

Ultimately, your portfolio should be reflective of your style—as well as what prospective clients or employers expect or ask for. And like most complex questions, there is a nuanced answer.

"It really depends upon your medium and industry," says J. Nordberg, Blurb's senior director of brand and creative. "But a good rule is to make the portfolio in the medium you work—or want to work."

For digital roles like UX designer, you'll absolutely need a web portfolio with mockups, motion graphics, and even code samples to demonstrate your skills. And if you are a creative professional working in photography, you may want to consider a print portfolio that provides tactile visuals and controls for improperly calibrated monitors.

That said, the overwhelming majority of the Blurb creative team agreed that creatives should create both digital and print portfolios to truly show their skill.

Digital portfolios .

The internet opened the work world; gone are the days of geographic limitations in job hunts. Digital portfolios like websites, social media feeds, and blogs are easily accessible from anywhere with an internet connection and help you get discovered via search. Plus, they offer greater flexibility in the format and media types you can share. After all, if you’re a videographer or TikTok creator, you won’t be able to show motion in print form.

"It’s far more efficient and cost-effective to use a digital portfolio when looking for employment," says Brinkert.

"I had to compete against hundreds of other applicants for each job I applied to on my last job hunt," he continues. "Would it make sense for me to pay for printing and shipping and expect the potential employer to take the time to wait for the package, check the mail, open it, look over it, and connect my work in print to my digital application? Not really."

At the same time, digital portfolios often require some technical skill to create and maintain—not to mention the upkeep cost.

Print portfolios .

"Digital is table stakes these days," says Jenny Ackerman, Blurb's senior art director. After all, you can't even apply to many jobs without a link to your website. "But if you want to make a lasting impression, there is something undeniably special about a printed piece you can hold and present in meetings," she adds.

Printed portfolios can be far more easily shared in person, making them a compelling option for interviews and meetings. They provide a more engaging experience, as readers can flip through pages to see examples of your work.

"If you meet in person with potential clients or for interviews, a print version is essential," states John Zilly, creative director at Vimazi . "It's also nice to have a printed leave-behind portfolio," which can keep you top-of-mind as clients see your work on their desk rather than buried in an email.

However, printed portfolio books can be less practical for certain types of creative work, like animations, music, or video. They're also not as easy to update and duplicate on the fly.

Both print and digital portfolios .

We think creatives should have both a print and digital portfolio, each having its purpose and helping to tell a unified story. "In virtually any creative discipline, you really should have both," says Tanabe.

"Your online book is a must," she explains. "It better look good, be responsive, and be free of typos or dead links. As for a tangible copy of your book, it’s helpful to have two things:"

   1. A large, gorgeous, printed book for those times you are face-to-face and want to impress.    2. Several smaller, more condensed versions to mail to prospective clients and employers.

But, as Nordberg mentioned at the top, picking your format depends on your industry and goals. Let's dive in to industry specifics so you can make an informed decision.

"I’ll know in 10 seconds if a portfolio has potential. If it passes, I’ll probably spend another five minutes taking a closer look to see how it aligns with my project’s vision or team’s needs."

Creative professions that require great portfolios

In some creative professions, a portfolio is a must-have, making standalone resumes virtually obsolete. Zilly clarifies: "Designers, photographers, illustrators, artists, art directors, advertising writers, non-advertising writers, architects, contractors, and builders. In these fields, you must have a portfolio, and no one really cares about a resume."

After all, for creatives in highly-competitive roles, a great portfolio is the cost of entry just to get noticed. And making a solid first impression means everything.

"I’ll know in 10 seconds if a portfolio has potential," says Ackerman. "If it passes the 10-second scan, I’ll probably spend another five minutes taking a closer look to see how it aligns with my project’s vision or team’s needs."

But what do the top industries look for in that 10-second scan? Let's get into the specifics.

Photographers

As a photographer, your portfolio is your chance to tell your story and your way to get more work. You'll want to showcase your unique professional angle and execution capabilities, including specific techniques, photo editing skills, and genres of interest. Blurb creative evangelist and photographer Dan Milnor gives his suggestions:

  • Put your best work first. Most viewers decide within the first few images. Start with a bang.   • Edit. You get very little time to make an impression. Make sure you show off not only your imagery but your ability to edit, sequence, and present work.   • Craft an elevator pitch. "I start portfolio reviews by asking why they are there and why they’re sharing this particular body of work." Milnor says. "And when they add a little humor, it never goes unnoticed."

Learn more about how to create a photography portfolio .

Graphic designers

Brand identity, ads, social graphics, or web design—to stand out in a saturated talent pool, a creative portfolio is essential in displaying your unique design skills, experience, and ability to communicate. Ackerman, Blurb's art director, shares her top advice:

  • Be consistent. If there’s a gap in quality from piece to piece, it either says you don’t care or don’t know the difference.   • Give context. Guide the viewer through what they are looking at. Don’t forget to provide details about each project, like the goals, challenges, and your role in bringing it to life.   • Show the work you want to get. Keep your book focused on the story you want to tell and represent the type of work you ultimately want to attract.

Ready to go deeper? Here's how to create a graphic design portfolio .

Interior designers

Interior design demands a professional portfolio, ideally, a tangible book to share and leave with prospective clients. You'll need to showcase your most impressive projects and the details of each job. This will help your viewer understand the final outcome and your process for getting there. Three things you can't go wrong with are:

  • Show your process. How you got to the finish line matters. Don’t forget to include before-and-after images, sketches, and mood boards.   • Include the details. Tell the story of who you worked with, the challenges, and most importantly, how you resolved them.   • Tailor your work. Make sure you show what your client is looking for. Each client is different, and thus you'll need to match your past work samples to who you're pitching.

Related reading: Here's how to make an interior design portfolio .

If you are an ideator, marketer, copywriter, blogger, storyteller, scriptwriter, or some other type of wordsmith, you must use your well-curated writing portfolio to prove you can tell stories, evoke emotion, and convey ideas. Here are tips from Burb copywriter Tanabe:

  • Show variety. Don't get stuck on one voice. Provide tone versatility with humor, thoughtfulness, and intelligence.   • Marry great copy with great art direction. You need both words and visuals to create an irresistible tale.   • Proofread. This is obvious, but many people forget it! Don't let typos get in the way of great writing.

Explore the nitty-gritty of how to create a writing portfolio .

5. Execute How to create your portfolio

It can be nerve-wracking or overwhelming to begin making your first portfolio—or even updating the one you haven't touched for a few years. The first thing to remember when building or editing your portfolio is that you already have one, even if you don’t realize it or haven’t earned paid experience in your craft.

If you don't have much client experience or tangible project examples, invent your own brand or mock projects for your favorite companies. Just be sure to label them as such.

So take a big sigh of relief. You’ve done the work; this is just about showing it.

We offer a tried-and-true process for building a portfolio that works, no matter your industry. Ground zero for all creatives is identifying who it’s for and what’s in it. That's where we'll start.

1. Identify your audience, intentions, and tone

One of the most critical questions to ask yourself is: Who are you creating your portfolio for?

Knowing your audience—whether it be clients for contract gigs, art directors seeking in-house talent, or college admissions officers looking for student applications—informs your portfolio's purpose, structure, and content.

For example, your graphic design samples will definitely change if you pitch yourself to clients as a freelance designer, apply for an agency job, or seek admission into a post-graduate program. That's because what your audience expects of you is different.

Identifying your audience and the purpose of your portfolio can also help shape its overarching design theme, format, and aesthetics. You'll want to align your portfolio's mood and style to best reflect your personality and demonstrate you can do the work the hiring manager or client wants from you. Empathize with what your audience wants and design your portfolio accordingly.

2. Seek inspiration from other portfolios

Understanding your visual and creative vocabulary is a key part of the portfolio-building process. That's why seeking inspiration from other portfolios, whether in the same field or even completely unrelated, is invaluable.

A great way to start is by checking out online galleries like Behance or Dribbble (or even the Blurb Bookstore) and taking notes or bookmarking the portfolios that stand out.

This exercise can provide you with a runway of ideas for different portfolio styles, structural layouts, and formats you like. Take elements that you admire from these examples—perhaps a minimalist design layout or clear and vibrant typography—and use them to inspire your concepts.

Consider specific components to include in your portfolio as well, like a personalized introduction, use of project briefs, unfinished project sketches, and before-and-after case studies.

"Only include the sorts of projects that you want to work on. Making a portfolio is your opportunity to be ambitious."

3. Distill your work into your best examples

One of the greatest challenges in building your creative portfolio is diligently selecting your best work examples to include and weeding out what doesn't make the cut. It can be difficult to eliminate a piece that you really like. But if it doesn't fit the theme, then chop it.

Think back to your target audience and your portfolio's purpose. "You want someone to stop on every page and say 'wow!'" says Zilly. "Remove anything that people may just page past."

Milnor agrees. "If I see a portfolio has fifty or more images, I know the photographer hasn’t done their job," he shares. "But if I see ten to twenty-five images, I know they are on the right track and have put some real thought into what made the cut."

Remember that not everything needs to be a successful client job—you can include personal projects, too. Just think about work that captures your skills and demonstrates the type of work you’d like to earn more of in the future.

"Some people say to only include the sorts of projects that you want to work on," says Zilly. "So making a portfolio is also your opportunity to be ambitious."

4. Determine your portfolio's format types

Again, the great debate between print and digital resurfaces. It’s time to decide which format makes the most sense to you, your craft, and your audience.

To recap: There are pros and cons to digital and print portfolios. Sure, digital formats are easier to create, edit, and share. But they might not be as engaging during an in-person interview. Print portfolio books tend to be more tactile and engaging—plus, they make a bigger impression since fewer people make them. But they can be time-consuming and costly to edit and print.

Before committing to just one particular format, like a digital portfolio website, don't discount the value of diversifying your deliverables. Weigh all possibilities in having a print version that you can hand out to your prospects or a digital version that you can easily share via an email or online application.

To help guide your decision, you can learn more in our blog: Portfolio Book or Digital Portfolio Website?

Just remember that no matter what your format, be creative. Your portfolio is your chance to tell your story and to try out an experimental use of materials. Print doesn't have to mean perfectly bound—it could be a DIY zine, pop-up book, or poster. Digital doesn't equal website—try a video presentation, Instagram grid, or video game. What reflects you best?

5. Organize and lay out your work cohesively

Without a well-thought-out structure, your portfolio could easily come across as disorganized and jumbled. Not a good look. Instead, spend time getting organized.

When structuring your portfolio layout, consider how you want to present yourself and the stories you want to tell about each piece and project. Don't forget your all-important target audience, too. What are they expecting?

First, segment your work. Design a navigation menu or table of contents and sort through the different buckets of samples you want to include. Figure out if you're grouping your work by medium or format, genre, industry, or tone—your options are limitless. This will give your portfolio a nice organizational hierarchy and an easy way for viewers to find what they want quickly.

Now that you have your samples in segments, arrange your work within each. Be sure to put your best work first. Many clients and hiring managers spend just three minutes on a portfolio . And if you have experience working for well-known brands, consider including these work examples at the forefront of your portfolio. Name recognition goes far!

Next, establish a visual hierarchy for your portfolio elements: titles, headers, subheaders, body copy, and images or video. To keep your visuals consistent, you can rely on premade templates if you're not a designer. Then add layouts for sections that make sense for the type of work you’re displaying (like featured work, case studies, client list), as well as elements like your bio, resume, and contact information.

Lastly, consider how viewers will interact with your portfolio. Before finalizing your design, think through the user experience. How will they move through your work? Are you creating an interactive portfolio that people can click through and explore? Or is it a more linear experience—one page flipping to the next? Help guide your audience to keep them engaged and intrigued.

"Keep your portfolio current. You never know when an amazing opportunity will present itself, and you won’t want to miss out!"

6. Add your branding and context

If you've perused the work of other creatives for inspiration, you've probably noticed how each portfolio is drastically different based on industry, style, aesthetic, and discipline. An ad creative's book is probably way more casual than an architect’s. They even differ within industries—a graphic designer who creates for punk-rock bands will likely have a much rawer feel than one specializing in luxe jewelry.

The key point is to ensure your portfolio—including layout, typography, background, and format—reflects who you are as a creative. Spend time figuring out your professional brand and reflecting it throughout your portfolio. Your font, color scheme, and tone of voice in your intro and statements should all match who you are selling yourself as, even if your samples are all over the place.

Milnor qualifies the above statement: "Over-branding or over-packaging often ends up overshadowing the work or is done as a substitute for subpar imagery." So express your brand while keeping the focus on your samples, above all.

You'll also want to provide context into your work and who you are. The golden rule with any portfolio is "show, don't tell," but there's still merit in describing your creative process. Every creative employs a unique methodology when bringing ideas to life.

Articulating your creative approach adds color and credibility to your projects. This background gives readers a sense of how you handle challenges and client demands and whether you can manage the scope of their project.

7. Keep your portfolio relevant and up-to-date

As you grow as a creative professional, new projects are an asset to your portfolio. View your book as a dynamic, fluid collection subject to change as you evolve.

It can feel silly to update your portfolio when you’re happy with your current company or flush with client work, but it’s smart to do just that. "Keep your portfolio current. You never know when an amazing opportunity will present itself, and you won’t want to miss out!" exclaims Ackerman. "A strong portfolio can make all the difference."

In addition to keeping your portfolio up-to-date with your most relevant and impactful work samples, you may want multiple portfolios or different versions for specific audiences. If you're a well-versed architect with multifaceted experience, having portfolios dedicated to commercial and residential projects for different potential clients may be a great approach. Clients can see their needs reflected more clearly without examples that aren’t relevant to them.

Milnor even suggests customizing books for a dream client or perfect job. Creating a single edition portfolio is possible with print-on-demand and landing pages.

Finally, consider creating another format if you already have a website or print portfolio. You may find a digital portfolio useful for quick updates and new additions, while a printed portfolio book is ideal as the hallmark of your trade when meeting high-profile prospects.

6. Pitch of our own

Using Blurb to get Started

If having a high-end hardcopy book is part of your strategy, Blurb’s here for you. Here’s why we’re a great choice.

Print-on-demand

Professional formats, free bookmaking tools, integrations.

Print a Portfolio

Logo & Identity

• Logo Design
• Business Card Design
• Stationery Design
• Letterhead Design
• Envelope Design
• PowerPoint Design
• Word Doc Design
• Wordpress Design
• Landing Page Design
• Banner Ad Design
• Facebook Design
• Email Design
• Newsletter Design
• Graphic Design
• Infographic Design
• Photoshop Design
• Vector Design
• Icon Design

Print Design

• Flyer Design
• Brochure Design
• Poster Design
• Postcard Design
• Invitation Design
• Card Design
• Greeting Card

Product & Merchandize

• T-shirt Design
• Apparel Design
• Merchandize Design
• Cup and Mug Design
• Bag and Tote Design
• Label Design
• Packaging Design

Art & Illustration

• Illustration Design
• Book cover Design
• CD cover Design
• Character Design
• Car wrap Design
• Tattoo Design

Find a designer...

• Graphic designer
• Logo designer
• Web designer
• Brochure designer
• Flyer designer
• Stationery designer
• T-Shirt designer
• Poster designer

Design Jobs

• Logo & Branding Jobs
• Web & App Design Jobs
• Print Design Jobs
• Graphic Design Jobs
• Product & Merchandise Jobs
• Art & Illustration Jobs
• How it works
• Design Blog

How To Create an Impressive Graphic Design Portfolio

If you are in the creative industry, a portfolio is essential to showcase your talents, your previous work, and your style. 

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for your next creative project, a designer transitioning to freelance work , or a recent graduate looking for their first job, a well-crafted portfolio can set you apart from the competition and might just be the deciding factor in getting that project. 

This is why we prepared for you today a comprehensive guide on how to create an impressive graphic design portfolio. We’ve also included some tips on how to brand and market yourself as a designer – all made easy with our logo maker tool and our wide suite of creative marketing templates. 

Let’s dive into it! 

Best Practices For An Impressive Portfolio

You may be the most talented designer on Earth, but if you don’t have a place to show your work off, it’s meaningless. You’ll need to have a portfolio that clients and companies can easily view and access, and one that clearly and concisely displays all your previous outstanding creations.

Here are the steps that you should follow to build your portfolio:

Curate your portfolio

Organize them properly, build a great website, think of your brand identity, add interactive effects or immersive visuals, include reviews or testimonials, prepare for online or offline viewing, keep it updated, market yourself.

You may be tempted to put all your work in your portfolio. After all, the more the merrier, right? 

Wrong! Your portfolio should only showcase your best and most high-quality work. It should be something that will catch your potential client’s eye and make them think that you’re the best person to do the job. 

Quality over quantity should be your mantra. Don’t put in works that don’t reflect your current style, your design sense, or your best efforts. 

Curation also includes having a diverse portfolio. See if you can include samples from various design types (ex., show logo, print, illustrations, and web design works) to show that you are flexible and versatile. If you can create works in various art styles (ex., abstract, colorful, minimalist, 3D), then you should showcase that as well to show your range.

Your portfolio should be arranged and organized in a way that is easy for clients to understand.

You can either arrange them by type (by Logo, Brochure, Social Media Graphics, UI Design, Videos, etc.), by industry (all your works for Beauty vs. all your works for Tech, etc.), or by style (Abstract, Minimalist, Retro, etc.).

Try to also provide more info or a short description to your works. This can help give clients more context to your design as well as get a glimpse of your creative process.

You’re now ready to create the place that will host your portfolio – your website!

Make sure your website is easy to navigate. Your clients should be able to find all the information that they need without having to dig deep into your website. 

You may also want to create an About Me page so that potential clients can get to know you better. You can share your personal story, your inspiration, or what got you into designing in the first place. This gives you that sense of personal connection. 

A Contact Page is also crucial so that clients can easily message you if they want to tap into your service.

Check for usability issues and errors as well. Are all your links working? Are all the buttons clickable? Is the contact information correct? And so on.

You can also read our guide on how to create a user-friendly website for more tips. 

How your portfolio/website looks should be aligned with your desired brand identity. 

You may be wondering, what is brand identity ? It’s essentially the “image” or “personality” that people will associate with you based on your overall visual aesthetic, your works, and how you present yourself in the digital world.

Think of it as Louis Vuitton vs H&M. Louis Vuitton is seen as classy, luxurious, and high-end. Meanwhile, H&M is seen as more trendy, hip, and affordable. This image is derived based on their logo design, color scheme, and overall branding. 

The same applies to your portfolio, and your identity as a graphic designer. Do you want to be seen as a funky, bold, and retro cool designer? How about one that specializes in chic, black-and-white works? Or maybe you want to be known as a designer who creates all these amazing fluid animations? 

Once you have your brand identity sorted, you can think of suitable visual elements to incorporate into your website. 

Speaking of visuals, let your creative spirit shine in your portfolio!

Add elements such as parallax scrolling, responsive design, hover reveal, micro-interactions, or 3D effects.

Need some inspiration? Check out these amazing design portfolios or read through our UI/UX Design Trends guide. 

Social proof is a powerful marketing strategy. It means adding some reviews or testimonials from your previous satisfied clients to add more credibility and trust in your skills. If you can, add some excerpts of their reviews or comments on your portfolio website to reinforce your credibility. 

Make sure your portfolio can be properly accessed no matter which browser, device size, or phone your client might use. Check if the portfolio still looks visually ok, and if there are any issues.

You also need to prepare for offline viewing as well. Consider printing a physical portfolio, or creating a business card that contains a link to your portfolio that you can give out during events or job fairs. 

Always keep your portfolio up to date with your recent works and achievements. 

Remove works that are too outdated or those that are not aligned with your art style anymore. You should also remove works that do not fit your career goals – for example, you want to focus on video creation now so update your portfolio to only show your video projects. 

Lastly, make sure you market yourself.

Create social media accounts that people can visit to get more information or to get updates regarding your work. In fact, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube can even serve as your “portfolio” as well. You can also share some behind-the-scenes videos, your art creation process, your most-used design tools, or have a Q&A on how you got started. 

Building a strong online presence can significantly increase your visibility and help you attract new job opportunities.

What If I Don’t Have Much Experience? 

Creating a portfolio might seem difficult especially if you are just starting out and don’t have tons of previous work projects to draw from. 

If that’s the case, you can start by gathering all the work that you have done before. This can be school projects, volunteer work, or projects that you have done for family and friends.

You can also create new works specifically for your portfolio. You can create mockups, marketing materials, or designs for hypothetical brands or clients. Let’s pretend Coca-Cola asked you to create a new logo for them. Or if Spotify asked you to redesign their annual Spotify Wrapped. And so on. Just make sure you create a note that these are all hypothetical and that you didn’t do actual work for them.

Level Up Your Portfolio Today!

Creating a beautiful and impressive graphic design portfolio takes a lot of planning and careful consideration. Think of it this way – your portfolio is your shot to make a client choose you. It should display your skills, expertise, and range. At the same time, it should reflect your art style and your identity as a designer.

Getting work as a designer doesn’t end with just your portfolio as well. You should start building your brand as early as possible so that you can start marketing yourself even little by little.

Start with your logo design. You can make use of our logo maker tool to find customizable templates that fit your design aesthetic. You can then easily edit these templates by changing the color, background, layout, text, and more.

Leverage the power of marketing as well. You can read our guide on how to run Facebook Ads , utilize Instagram Stories , or create a professional email signature to promote yourself. 

Written by DesignCrowd on Thursday, April 4, 2024

DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.

Want more? You might like these articles

50 Fabulously Effective Fonts For Excellent Branding

DesignCrowd Yearbook 2016

5 App Design Contests That Challenged Our Designers

asasd | 04 Apr 2024

Get best web hosting at https://www.onixhost.com

Featured Articles

• 40 Iconic Logo Examples For Influential Brands
• Gucci Logo History
• 118 Logo Design Ideas For 2019: A Beginner's Guide

Hi Creative Entrepreneurs!

Follow us socially, featured tags.

• designer insights

Need a Logo?

Make a beautiful logo in seconds.

With the World's #1 logo maker

Try it for FREE!

Money back guarantee

Get the design you want or your money back

Conditions apply - see our refund policy

Creative Designer Resume Sample

The resume builder.

Create a Resume in Minutes with Professional Resume Templates

Work Experience

• Produce multiple concepts
• Purchase images within image budgets given
• Present concepts to client for approval
• Research images and ideas for creative concepts
• An inspired and diverse portfolio that shows a quality range of illustration styles, design techniques, logo treatments and layouts
• Work with a high level of independence and creativity within the pressure of deadlines
• Proficiency in Macintosh environment using InDesign, PhotoShop, and Illustrator
• A high level of artistic ability with a critical eye for color, type and design
• Multi task and adapt well to change and input from others
• Collaborate cross-functionally on creative solutions that connect user insights with product features/benefits. Understand and infuse the appropriate amount of emotion and clinical data into creative solutions to drive sales, while increasing customer and consumer engagement and loyalty
• Manage projects by setting priorities, gather detailed and on time content, coordinate production timing and hold others accountable
• Understand the key decision makers and buying journey, employing both visual and engineer type approach to designs
• Perform detailed ROI analysis on initiatives, reporting on key performance indicators in order to influence strategy and marketing collateral
• Work independently and/or within the Marketing Center of Excellence team to complete projects on time and within budget
• Stay abreast on leading edge technology for multimedia solutions
• Maintain professional and productive relationships with selected vendors
• Develop effective PowerPoint presentations for customer and sales meeting presentations
• Work with a team of creative professionals
• Knowledge of pre-press and print production
• Attention to detail with an eye for perfection
• Flexibility and a willingness to work additional hours to maintain schedules
• Experience in photography and photography direction
• Proficient in Macintosh environment using InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• A high level of artistic ability & design with good color perception and sensitivity to type is essential
• Flexible and willing to work additional hours to maintain schedules
• Successfully translates Marketing Programs, Campaigns or product initiatives into inspiring, relatable, effective creative solutions. Create multimedia solutions using passions for art and technology to communicate with internal and external key stakeholders

Professional Skills

• Demonstrated innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as continuous improvement process skills
• Strong project management skills, experienced in assessing, orchestrating (driving timelines and due dates) and balancing a diversified work load
• Strong typography and copyrighting skills are an advantage, and ideally packaging experience
• Excellent artworking skills with strong attention to detail
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, with strong PowerPoint skills
• Strong artistic visual skills, including drawing, painting, sketching, story-boarding, modeling, sculpting, and/or computer design
• Strong conceptualization and storytelling skills, including bringing concepts to life (portfolio desired)

How to write Creative Designer Resume

Creative Designer role is responsible for design, creative, adobe, interpersonal, digital, presentation, english, software, color, illustrator. To write great resume for creative designer job, your resume must include:

• Your contact information
• Work experience
• Skill listing

Contact Information For Creative Designer Resume

The section contact information is important in your creative designer resume. The recruiter has to be able to contact you ASAP if they like to offer you the job. This is why you need to provide your:

• First and last name
• Telephone number

Work Experience in Your Creative Designer Resume

The section work experience is an essential part of your creative designer resume. It’s the one thing the recruiter really cares about and pays the most attention to. This section, however, is not just a list of your previous creative designer responsibilities. It's meant to present you as a wholesome candidate by showcasing your relevant accomplishments and should be tailored specifically to the particular creative designer position you're applying to. The work experience section should be the detailed summary of your latest 3 or 4 positions.

Representative Creative Designer resume experience can include:

• Proven graphic design experience with a strong portfolio that demonstrates proficiency in print, video and digital executions
• Think strategically and understand business needs, often acting quickly and efficienty using strong project and time management skills
• Strong photo retouching and color matching skills
• Excellent Chinese writing skills and fluent in English
• Has developed strong creative problem solving and pattern recognition skills
• Conceptualise and develop ideas from sketch stage, through to high quality visuals with strong visualising skills

Education on a Creative Designer Resume

Make sure to make education a priority on your creative designer resume. If you’ve been working for a few years and have a few solid positions to show, put your education after your creative designer experience. For example, if you have a Ph.D in Neuroscience and a Master's in the same sphere, just list your Ph.D. Besides the doctorate, Master’s degrees go next, followed by Bachelor’s and finally, Associate’s degree.

Additional details to include:

• School you graduated from
• Major/ minor
• Year of graduation
• Location of school

These are the four additional pieces of information you should mention when listing your education on your resume.

Professional Skills in Creative Designer Resume

When listing skills on your creative designer resume, remember always to be honest about your level of ability. Include the Skills section after experience.

Present the most important skills in your resume, there's a list of typical creative designer skills:

• Very strong organization skills - strong written communication skills - creative design experience - experience creating and leveraging sharepoint sites
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong time management skills
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and proof reading skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present creative ideas effectively
• Competent interpersonal skills and the aptitude to work effectively with others
• Strong desktop publishing skills using Adobe’s Creative Suite to both create and update data-driven marketing pieces

List of Typical Experience For a Creative Designer Resume

Experience for senior creative designer resume.

• Develop strong relationships and work effectively with stakeholders from Marketing as well as with business partners
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish positive relationships with other team members
• Strong consultation and client management skills
• Work effectively in an office environment for 40+ hours per week, including sitting, standing and working on a computer for extended periods of time
• Very good written and spoken Spanish and English, excellent spelling and punctuation
• Experience originating effective and creative digital strategies, concepts and layout/design. Be ready to show digital work in your portfolio
• Create highly effective user-focused experiences and interfaces across a variety of environments (mobile, web apps, dashboards, etc.)

Experience For Digital Creative Designer Resume

• Create and demonstrate interactive prototypes, and validate
• Demonstrated experience with product and/or packaging design
• Solid knowledge of and experience in Photoshop and Illustrator
• Agency experience an advantage, esp experiential marketing agency experience, designing memorable and immersive physical environments for client events
• Work effectively within the team to build and promote a creative environment
• Collaborates and works effectively with the wider team and business
• Think strategically and translate brand and thought leadership / content into visual systems that effectively communicate
• Prior creative design or cad experience desired
• Proven Experience with content management platforms, preferably Wordpress and Drupal desirable

Experience For Junior Creative Designer Resume

• Advanced video and animation skills
• Fully proficient skills in print and traditional media channels and/or digital channel technologies (e.g., HTML5, CSS and JavaScript), and Adobe Creative Suite
• Effectively interpret client objectives into visual ideas and concepts of the highest standard
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD such as SolidWorks, Rhino, 3D Studio Max, or other comparable software packages
• Demonstrate a holistic Design approach for understanding context, developing insight, exploring and visualizing business (and Design) opportunities
• Experience working with large-scale web sites, e-marketing, collateral, direct mail and advertising
• An outstanding portfolio, showcasing finished work and proven commercial results or application
• Work with external suppliers and internal purchasing buyer to ensure marketing materials are both creative and cost-effective and align with budgets
• Strong sports knowledge and an understanding of betting

Experience For Principal Creative Designer, MKT Resume

• Work closely with the brand and marketing teams, building strong relationships
• Responsible for creating effective, compelling visual designs to represent the digital content for the mobile platform
• Good understanding and competency of printing process, photography, illustration and typography
• Background/experience in art and design, including concept creation, page layout and integrated marketing project work
• Experience directing and managing creative, graphic design, multimedia/motion graphics related projects,

Experience For Associate Creative Designer Resume

• Concept and execute across multiple channels, strong understanding of both print, digital, POS, packaging and video
• Video experience (producing and/or editing)
• Experience managing multi-faceted projects while ensuring superb execution, timely delivery, and client satisfaction
• Demonstrable experience in creating the design vision - "The Big Idea" - for new products, and iterating on it to make it better
• Lead and take ownership of the user experience design, creating interfaces and defining interactions
• Work with the Innovation team on mocking or prototyping new ad experiences
• Collaborate on user experience planning, and execute interaction design and visual design following best UX practices
• Experience in a graphic design role at a web design/marketing/advertising agency

Experience For Senior Digital Creative Designer Resume

• Skilled with DSLR cameras and other filming cameras, including high end production cameras and drones
• Experience in designing and maintaining a consistent brand image
• Demonstrates resourcefulness and creativity in problem solving including unconventional yet feasible ways to push design
• Experience with 3DS Max, or other 3D modeling and rendering software
• Experience in marketing, branding and/or creative design roles
• Experience with creating engaging content for social media

Experience For Creative Designer Mitsubishi Fuso, Kawasaki Resume

• Experience collaborating with engineering and the ability to communicate in section
• Experience art directing work from initial concept and pitch decks, to development of pre-production materials and shepherding post production processes
• Ensure construction and materials enhance the athlete’s wearing experience
• Preferably with working experience in professional office environment on creative projects
• + Designing strongly branded promotional content
• + Developing clean and effective graphic templates and style guides
• Ensure the construction and materials function and enhance the athlete’s wearing experience

Experience For Internship Marketing Creative Designer Resume

• A strong portfolio demonstrating your suitability for this role
• A good working knowledge of Adobe Animate, After Effects, Illustrator and Photoshop is required
• Experience within art-working/Graphic Design
• Previous experience using brand styleguides
• Experience working across beauty brands/products is preferable but not a necessity
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal teams including Sales, Account Managers, and Technical Solutions – at a global scale
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal teams including salespeople, account managers, and technical teams - on a global scale
• Experience creating apps and websites for mobile and desktop, fluent in UX best practices and web responsive design

Experience For Creative Designer & Instructional Lead Resume

• Experience with creative presentations using PowerPoint
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite inDesign, Photoshop and illustrator focused (currently in CS6)
• Solid portfolio demonstrating graphic and visual design
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat)
• An excellent understanding of print processes and finishes
• Hands-on experience art directing photo and video shoots
• Digital design experience, preferably in direct marketing for the insurance or financial services industry

Experience For User Experience Creative Designer Internship Resume

• Ensure that creative assets and experiences remain culturally relevant and inspiring to our demographic
• Strong portfolio with a range of different kinds of projects showcasing your creative and UI design work
• Working experience in the similar capacity in a 5 international hotel
• Experience creating low to medium resolution wireframes
• Work experience in a related field with roles of increasing responsibility also required
• Experience with the following
• Experience in creating on-screen and digital image content, ideally in a broadcast environment
• Communicate transportation concepts at a system level reflecting a visionary user experience

List of Typical Skills For a Creative Designer Resume

Skills for senior creative designer resume.

• Master strong visual design skills, including a deep understanding of typography, composition, and use of color
• Strong and professional sketching and rendering skills, 2D communication is very important
• Thrive in a collaborative environment and possess strong problem-solving, decision-making and organizational skills
• Solid understanding of various print processes and mediums and the ability to communicate re. these mediums effectively
• A solid experience designing integrated campaigns and end to end web experiences

Skills For Digital Creative Designer Resume

• Experienced drawing and graphic skills
• Excellent communication and presenting skills to articulate your ideas to internal clients with confidence and a persuasive argument for image choices
• Good level skills using Adobe Suite
• Good communication, problem-solving and leadership skills to provide supervision internally and externally
• Excellent verbal and visual skills to facilitate idea development in projects design and ideas brainstorming

Skills For Junior Creative Designer Resume

• Excellent presentation skills. Ability to articulately discuss strategy and confidently ‘sell’ creative concepts to senior partners
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and able to interact with colleagues
• Good organisational skills with the ability to multi-task, work at pace and to tight deadlines
• Strong conceptual skills and brimming with ideas
• Good organisational skills that support the rest of the team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills sufficient to communicate regularly with Senior Managers and Directors
• Team mentality and strong interpersonal skills
• Commercial experience in creative designSkills

Skills For Principal Creative Designer, MKT Resume

• Highly creative and good illustration skills
• Collaborating and working effectively with the wider studio and providing additional creative support when required
• Understanding of effective B2B marketing, preferably with experience in financial services or insurance
• Liaising effectively with other team members
• Experienced in working to tight deadlines, prioritising tasks and handling multiple projects at the same time

Skills For Associate Creative Designer Resume

• Experience working collaboratively with other designers, developers and marketing team, to build great user and brand experiences
• Experience working to brand, style and project guidelines, with excellent knowledge of picture licensing and copyright law
• Experience managing and maintaining excellent relationships with a varied internal and external stakeholder base
• Proven experience in working efficiently and meeting strict deadlines
• Experience of building strong working relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels
• Fully proficient skills working with the Adobe Creative Suite

Skills For Senior Digital Creative Designer Resume

• Up-to-date computer software skills including digital graphic design software in a Mac environment
• Solid experience working on campaigns
• Superb verbal and written communication skills, extremely detailed oriented and excels at problem solving
• Expert written, verbal, presentation and relationship building skills
• Willingness to acquire new skills, particularly around new/emerging design tools
• Strong advertising portfolio demonstrable of conceptual and digital art direction talent, commensurate with experience
• Learn the brand inside and out and act as a brand steward, helping colleagues and external partners apply brand assets effectively

Skills For Creative Designer Mitsubishi Fuso, Kawasaki Resume

• Effectively manage your own workload as well as ensuring that work produced by the wider team is delivered to a high standard; on brand, on time, and on budget
• Experience with graphic design and experience with a prototyping tool
• Problem solving ability, interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels of management
• Video editing and/or Web designer skills valued
• Expert client management skills including engagement, estimation, reviews, and delivery,
• Proficient communication skills, both written and verbal
• Fully proficient skills in print and traditional media channels; and/or digital channel technologies (e.g., HTML5, CSS and JavaScript)
• First class interpersonal skills

Skills For Internship Marketing Creative Designer Resume

• Communicate effectively with critical stakeholders to increase a solution’s chances of success
• Solid Experience in ecommerce
• Effectively and clearly present and communicate ideas
• Proven design experience in women’s and girls’ intimate apparel
• Experience and experience in higher education
• Works effectively in both individual and team environments
• Experience of Alias/vred to good level of proficiency
• Effectively work with multiple teams agency wide
• Advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign

Skills For Creative Designer & Instructional Lead Resume

• Web and interactive design with experience in HTML, CSS and Javascript User Experience best practices
• Proven experience as a Designer, Graphic Designer or similar role
• Works effectively with people across functions and throughout the design
• Requesting prototype tooling/samples to complete design evaluation and validation
• Improving the overall visual and user experience for CIBC.com
• Designing and constructing pages/sections of the public site in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)
• Expert at developing concepts and handling changing requirements always proposing creative, compliant and cost-effective solutions,
• Fully proficient understanding of marketing/advertising and/or user experience and/or interactive design principles

Skills For User Experience Creative Designer Internship Resume

• Experience in a marketing agency or company-based marketing or branding organization
• A strong portfolio showcasing your creative visual is required, demonstrating a palpable passion for design and for delivering design excellence
• Good understanding of working with brand guidelines aligning to brand strategy
• Strong understanding of Adobe Creative Suite including video editing
• Demonstrate the value of the team’s work by keeping the client up-to-date, and explaining issues, approaches and solutions (i.e., manage expectations)
• Experience and comfort working in an agile marketing methodology

List of Typical Responsibilities For a Creative Designer Resume

Responsibilities for senior creative designer resume.

• Produces all artwork according to the Creative Director’s specifications; works with Creative Director to achieve desired results. Collaborates with Creative Director and Digital Designer on best way to achieve approved concept via layout/programming/illustration/pre-press technique
• Concept, design, produce and load creative assets to support the digital marketing campaigns and eCommerce site, including display and affiliate program advertising, home page promotions, on-site features, product category pages and other assets as needed
• Key Experience, Skills & Abilities
• Experience and skills in Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator are crucial
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with internal and external partners
• Artistic visual skills, including drawing, painting, sketching, story-boarding, modeling, sculpting, and/or computer design

Responsibilities For Digital Creative Designer Resume

• Expert conceptual and creative thinking skills
• Portfolio demonstrating creativity and skill relative to experience
• Proven design experience in women’s intimate apparel
• Demonstrated poise, tact, and good judgment
• Proven experience in design for digital
• Proven work experience as a Senior Designer, Graphic Designer or similar role

Responsibilities For Junior Creative Designer Resume

• Strong presentation skill for both internal and external meetings
• Proficient skills in Photoshop & MS Office applications
• Skills in Alias, Maya, VRED highly desirable
• Strong vendor relations management experience
• Strong knowledge of marketing strategies, concepts and marketing communications principles
• Solid knowledge of Flash graphic design, animation, and a basic understanding of Flash Scripting
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate creative concepts using multiple mediums

Responsibilities For Principal Creative Designer, MKT Resume

• Strong understanding of digital creative mediums (i.e. Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator, 3D Studio Max, Maya, Z-Brush, Sketch Up, etc.)
• Experience in the design and production of corporate marketing collateral for print
• Proficiency with Mac, experienced in Adobe Creative suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word)
• Experience of seeing projects through from concepts through to production
• Relevant working experience, preferably in arts trainings, theatrical designs, interior designs, environmental designs or entertainment
• Strive for innovation by actively seeking out new design trends, experiences and technology
• A wide range of design capabilities including a solid background in digital design, typography, print, print production and retail graphics
• Knowledge of Internet technology issues and the implications for customer experience, including cross-platform issues (Windows/Mac) and cross-browser issues

Responsibilities For Associate Creative Designer Resume

• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal teams including Sales, Account Managers, and Technical Solutions
• Proven design expertise and innovation driver in the women’s performance/lifestyle categories
• Proven design expertise and innovation driver in the men’s lifestyle/athletics catgories
• Proven design expertise and innovation driver
• Proven design expertise and innovation driver in the men’s performance categories
• Knowledge and experience with Macintosh and related hardware and software

Responsibilities For Senior Digital Creative Designer Resume

• Strong interest in customization: embroideries, painted clothes, studs, eyelets, strass, nails
• Experience in professional Web/UI design
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc)
• Experience of at least 4-6 years in related field
• Strong eye for design, with the ability to translate designs to a commercial retail environment
• Generate physical conceptual mockups using simple and effective materials such as: foam core, eps, foam, paper, 3D printed parts, etc…
• Experience storyboarding motion graphics

Responsibilities For Creative Designer Mitsubishi Fuso, Kawasaki Resume

• Optimise user experience and engagement in digital products
• Experience in concept creation and artwork creation for temporary and semi-permanent Point-Of-Purchase display
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat)
• Extensive industry relevant experience
• Experience of Illustrator to high level of proficiency
• Experience of Photoshop to high level of proficiency
• Work closely with other designers on team to refine designs and create cohesive visual experiences

Responsibilities For Internship Marketing Creative Designer Resume

• BA or BFA in Design or equivalent practical experience
• Experience in field of design
• Work in 2D and 3D. such as SolidWorks, Rhino, 3D Studio Max, or other comparable software packages
• The ability to work across a number of projects at one time and change priority as requirements change
• Translates creative design assignments into visual stories and unique customer experiences
• Proven ability to work within and across teams and as both an individual contributor and team player
• Experience in digital interface design
• Strong knowledge of integration, HTML 5, CSS 3, javascript in a live Web environment
• Proven ability to create and develop concepts and designs from scratch

Responsibilities For Creative Designer & Instructional Lead Resume

• Experience in visual communication and brand design
• Experience in web interface design
• Experience in responsive design and development
• Professional experience with focus on graphic design
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, and DreamWeaver
• Proven ability to establish a direction and vision which mobilizes the creative team to meet clearly defined goals
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop creative personnel within various disciplines

Responsibilities For User Experience Creative Designer Internship Resume

• Strong portfolio highlighting relevant work required
• Experience developing design, video animation, html emails and some print applications
• Experience in brand marketing
• Deep understanding of users’ needs in different scenarios; able to improve the user experience
• Fluent and sufficient English communication skill, including technical terms, necessary to work internationally
• Work or Intern experience with relevant knowledge in an Automotive design department
• Previous Design or Automotive experience is desired but not essential
• Hands on online experience at a digitally focused ad agency, major publisher, or ad technology company
• Relevant experience at a creative agency

Related to Creative Designer Resume Samples

3d designer resume sample, creative graphic designer resume sample, creative specialist resume sample, photo studio resume sample, art consultant resume sample, intern, creative resume sample, resume builder.

• Resume Writing
• Resume Examples
• Cover Letter
• Remote Work
• Famous Resumes
• Try Kickresume

Career Portfolio: The Why, When and How to Create One

• Nikoleta Kuhejda , 
• Updated December 8, 2023 8 min read

Did you know recruiters scan resumes for key info in a mere 6 seconds? And let's face it, with a whopping 75% of resumes getting axed by ATS systems before they even meet human eyes, job seekers have to up their game. That's where the career portfolio steps in.

A career portfolio offers a visual representation of your talents and skills . Think of it as an expanded version of your resume, showcasing your journey, achievements, and projects in more detail.

It can also feature testimonials from your colleagues or supervisors, certificates, or awards.

A well-prepared career portfolio can be beneficial whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, especially in creative fields like marketing, advertising, and graphic design , but also in fields like software development, sales, and business development .

The benefit? It allows you to present concrete evidence of your skills and supports claims in your resume. Not only does this add weight to your resume, but for some professions, having a portfolio is even a requirement.

There's even more to it, though.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Benefits of a career portfolio

Success stories of people who used career portfolios, how to create a career portfolio , what to include in your career portfolio, showcasing your portfolio, challenges and how to overcome them, key takeaways: building a career portfolio.

A career portfolio offers several advantages that help set you apart from other applicants.

Here are some key benefits of having a career portfolio:

• Showcasing a broader range of skills: While resumes focus on specific qualifications, a career portfolio allows you to include a wider variety of skills and experiences. This gives potential employers a more comprehensive understanding of your capabilities and makes you a more attractive candidate.
• Tangible proof of achievements: A career portfolio provides tangible evidence of your accomplishments, showcasing projects , awards, and other work demonstrating your abilities. This visual representation enhances the credibility of the claims on your resume and gives employers a more concrete understanding of what you bring to the table.
• Differentiation from other job candidates: Setting yourself apart from your competition is crucial in a job search. By sending a career portfolio, you automatically elevate your profile. It also allows you to highlight your unique skills, experiences, and achievements that don't fit your resume.
• Helpful tool during interviews: It helps employers visualize what you could contribute to their team.

How does it look in practice?

Here are two success stories of individuals who have benefited from having career portfolios:

Isak Solheim: As Isaac was a self-taught front-end developer, he didn’t have a CV that he could use to show his past work and experience in the field. This is where his career portfolio came in handy. It allowed him to show off his skills and what he was capable of producing, as well as provide examples to potential employers of other projects he has worked on. 

A small but essential piece of advice that Isaac gives is not to include too much text and other personal information but instead focus on actual work examples and projects you have worked on; your work should speak for itself.

Carter Hammett: Carter works as a social worker, author, and as a trainer. With three published books to his credit, he serves as the manager of employment services at Epilepsy Toronto, which is dedicated to assisting individuals with epilepsy and related disabilities in their job search. 

Carter stuck to Isak's advice: to let your work speak for itself. He has a small introductory section that explains a little about who he is and what he does, but the primary focus of his portfolio is on different projects he has worked on.

So, how can you create your own career portfolio?

Whether you're a seasoned professional showcasing experience or a recent graduate wanting to show your potential, a career portfolio can help tell your unique story.

Here's how to create a standout career portfolio, step-by-step:

Are you using it for job applications, freelance opportunities, or personal development? Defining this will help you decide what information to include and what format to use.

Collect relevant documents, such as your resume, certificates, transcripts, and other professional achievements. Also, gather work samples, such as projects, reports, or designs. More on that in the next chapter.

Divide your portfolio into sections, which can include: - Introduction: A brief bio and professional summary. - Resume: Include an updated version. - Work samples: Showcase your best work with descriptions. - Skills: List your technical and soft skills. - Testimonials or references: Include recommendations from colleagues or supervisors.

For a digital portfolio, include a clickable table of contents for easy navigation. For a physical portfolio, make sure your sections are clearly labeled.

Use visuals to enhance your portfolio. Include images, graphs, or other visual aids to make your accomplishments more tangible. You can also include links to your work, e.g., articles or GitHub repository .

Ensure all links and navigation elements work smoothly when creating a digital portfolio. A seamless user experience is crucial. Also, before sharing your portfolio, proofread it for typos or grammatical errors.

Before finalizing your portfolio, seek feedback from mentors, peers, or career advisors. Fresh perspectives can help you improve the overall quality.

Your career portfolio is a dynamic tool. Regularly update it with new achievements, skills, and projects.

Showcase your skills in a creative way.

Easily build your personal website from scratch or just transform your resume into an engaging site with our user-friendly editor.

When building a career portfolio, it’s essential to include elements that showcase your skills, qualifications, and achievements. 

Here are some key components to consider adding to your portfolio:

• Resume: Include a well-crafted, up-to-date resume highlighting your relevant work experience, education, and skills. This is a snapshot of your professional background and can be easily referenced by potential employers.
• Work samples: Whether it's projects you've completed, reports you've written, or creative works you've produced, these samples demonstrate your skills and provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.
• Certifications and training: Showcasing any certifications, licenses, or training programs you've completed can significantly enhance your portfolio. It demonstrates your commitment to professional development and adds credibility to your qualifications.
• Testimonials and recommendations: Including testimonials and recommendations from previous employers, clients, or colleagues is a powerful way to provide third-party validation and credibility. These testimonials can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and professionalism.
• Personal statement: This is a concise and compelling piece of information about you as the candidate and provides a look into your professional journey, aspirations, and values.

When showcasing your portfolio during interviews and job applications, a few key steps can help you stand out.

First, include a link or attachment to your portfolio in job applications , you can either provide a direct link to your online portfolio or attach a PDF document with your application.

Second, be prepared to present your portfolio during interviews by bringing a physical copy or having a digital version readily available. Practice explaining the contents of your portfolio and be able to discuss the essential skills and experiences highlighted in it.

In addition to traditional methods, utilizing social media and professional networking sites can also help to display your portfolio.

Platforms like LinkedIn, Behance, or Dribbble allow you to showcase your work to a broader audience. Share links to your portfolio in your bio or posts to further enhance your online presence.

Just remember, when presenting your portfolio, it's essential to tailor it to your industry and job position and highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant.

Putting together a career portfolio can sometimes feel like a struggle. You may still be learning new skills, or your skill set is more diverse than a Swiss army knife.

No worries, you can turn these factors into assets and create a portfolio that's uniquely you:

• For individuals with limited experience , consider including relevant coursework, internships, or volunteer work to showcase skills and dedication. Additionally, highlight transferable skills gained from previous jobs or life experiences. This will help you demonstrate competence and potential.
• If you’re unsure of what to include , carefully review job descriptions for your profession and tailor the portfolio accordingly. Simply choose portfolio items that align with the specific skills and experiences employers are looking for.
• To address the limited diversity of skills , try some quick opportunities to expand your skill set. Take online courses , attend workshops, or engage in personal projects to gain additional expertise. This will expand your abilities and make your portfolio more robust.
• Seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, or professionals in your field. They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your portfolio.

Even though traditional resumes are still widely used in job searches, there's another player in the game: career portfolios.

They're like the all-in-one package deal that showcases your skills and achievements and does it in a way that catches the eye. 

Nowadays, employers and clients are really into portfolios. They find them useful when evaluating candidates, especially for the more senior roles and in creative fields.

When you're putting together your career portfolio:

• keep it professional
• pick a format, digital or physical, that suits your style
• include additional info that don't fit your resume
• remember to refresh it now and then to keep it up-to-date with your latest achievements

And, of course, tailor it to fit the job you're going for to show you're a great fit.

A journalist by trade, a writer by fate. Nikoleta went from writing for media outlets to exploring the world of content creation with Kickresume and helping people get closer to the job of their dreams. Her insights and career guides have been published by The Female Lead, College Recruiter, and ISIC, among others. Nikoleta holds a Master's degree in Journalism from the Comenius University in Bratislava. When she’s not writing or (enthusiastically) pestering people with questions, you can find her traveling or sipping on a cup of coffee.

Related Posts

Subject line for resume email: craft the perfect headline with these 5 proven formats & tips   , job search during the coronavirus outbreak difficult but not impossible.

• 11 min read

Share this article

Join our newsletter.

Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

Creative Portfolio

2023-2024 portfolio requirements.

• Undergraduate Film & TV requires a five-part Creative Portfolio from all applicants.  
• The SlideRoom portal is now closed for first-year applicants. It will reopen for first-year applicants applying for Fall 2025 in August 2024. 
• The SlideRoom portal is now open for transfer  applicants (opened on  January 15).
• The Creative Portfolio also includes a few short answer questions which are available in SlideRoom. 
• The Creative Portfolio must be received by the application deadline. 

Part 1. ONE PAGE RESUME

How have you spent the last four years.

We are aware you provide a resume to the Common App. The people reviewing your Creative Portfolio will NOT see any materials provided to the Common App, so please don’t be concerned about repeating yourself.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are interested in a holistic picture of who you are. We would like to see you include things like:

• Social and/or community work
• Extracurricular activities including sports, clubs, etc.
• Outside employment whether it's paid, voluntary, or family responsibilities
• Creative projects
• Anything else you spend a significant amount of free time on

Required elements:

• Your full name
• Home address
• Date of birth
• Name of your high school (or college for transfer students)
• 1 page maximum
• Save the file as LastName_FirstName_Resume before uploading to SlideRoom.
• Film Credits - How to Format: If you choose to include film credits in your resume ( we do not require them and do not want your resume to be exclusively film-focused ), please be sure to include information about your role in the project. For a glossary of roles and responsibilities on a film set, please check out our reference page .
• Sample Resume: If you would like a sample of what a resume can look like, you may find one here . Please note that we do not require your resume to look exactly like our sample, nor do we expect your experiences to mirror Terry Tisch's. This sample is intended only as a visual reference; it is not prescriptive.

Part 2. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELFIE

Upload a 1-2 minute creative self-portrait where you show and tell us about yourself..

WHAT: Your video should be in your own voice, in your own format, and not a reiteration of why you want to be admitted to NYU's film program. Be creative and have fun! What you choose to say and how you say it is up to you. 

HOW: We will not be judging the production value of this film; we encourage applicants to use cameras that are readily available to them (i.e. cellphones or computers). We are not looking for polished/edited videos; it is meant to be a short video where you show us and tell us something about yourself that we cannot get from other aspects of your application .

AUDIENCE: We encourage you to consider carefully what you choose to share with us and whether it is appropriate for a college application.

FORMAT: Save the file as LastName_FirstName_Yourselfie using whichever video format you prefer.

Part 3. Tell Us a Story

Please choose one visual and one audio prompt provided in slideroom as inspiration and tell us a complete story, fiction or nonfiction..

WHAT ARE THE PROMPTS?

We have provided six prompts inside SlideRoom - three visual, and three audio. You must initiate a portfolio in order to see/hear the prompts. You can do that starting August 1, 2023 by clicking here.  

• Choose ONE of the visual prompts AND ONE of the audio prompts as your inspiration and write a complete short story. It can be fiction or nonfiction. This should be a single story that incorporates both a visual prompt and audio prompt of your choosing, using both as inspiration for a single short story.
• Up to 3 pages
• Double-spaced
• 11 or 12 point font
• Legible margins
• Written in prose style
• Saved as a PDF
• Take note of your  grammar, spelling, and punctuation . You should submit something polished, without typos. If you are able to, we encourage you to share this with a teacher, parent, mentor, or friend before submitting. Reading your work aloud can also be a helpful way to find mistakes you’ve missed. 
• Save as a PDF and name the file LastName_FirstName_Story before uploading it to SlideRoom.

WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT DO?

• We do not want an excerpt from a longer story. Make sure your story is complete, with conflict and a clear resolution.
• This should be a short story, not a screenplay. If you are not sure what "prose" means, please speak with your Language Arts teacher or other trusted advisor.
• Do not provide a .pages document, a Word Doc, a Google doc, or anything but a PDF.

Part 4. SET THE SCENE

Write a 1 page short story where you describe your first memorable film or tv viewing experience that left a lasting impression on you. what do you remember about the experience how did it impact you and the kinds of stories you hope to tell why did it make you want to study filmmaking this should be written as a short story that reflects on your personal experience and should not be an essay or a synopsis of the film or tv show itself; rather, it should vividly describe your experience and the influence it had on you..

• Written in prose style (i.e. short story, not an academic essay)
• Saved as a PDF with the file name: LastName_FirstName_Scene

Take note of your grammar, spelling, and punctuation . You should submit something polished, without typos. If you are able to, we encourage you to share this with a teacher, parent, mentor, or friend before submitting. Reading your work aloud can also be a helpful way to find mistakes you’ve missed.

Part 5. Creative Submission

Provide one creative submission that showcases cinematic/visual storytelling and imaginative expression of thought..

REQUIREMENTS:

• The applicant must be the principal creative force of the work submitted.
• Follow all relevant guidelines and directions. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Applicants must detail their role in the creation of all works submitted in the space provided in SlideRoom. Incomplete or inaccurate descriptions may result in disqualification.
• If you submit more than one type of Creative Submission, your portfolio will not be eligible for consideration. CHOOSE ONE OPTION.

Choose ONLY ONE of the following:

1. Artistic Portfolio of 10-15 images 2. Film/Video of up to 5 minutes (including credits) 3. Writing of up to 6 pages

All categories are weighed equally - none is favored over another.

Option 1: Artistic Portfolio (10-15 images):

• Provide a portfolio of photos, drawings, paintings, storyboards, sculpture, or set design.
• Your submission should reflect clearly developed ideas and themes.
• You may upload 10-15 photographic or scanned images of your work.
• Still images and scans uploaded to SlideRoom should be a minimum of 72 dpi.
• If you would like to include a gif or short(end) animatic as one of your "still" images, you may do so but it should be 20 seconds or shorter.
• Images should be a minimum of 72 dpi.
• You must be the principal creator of your images.

Option 2: Film/Video (up to 5 minutes):

• You may provide ONE film of: live action, fiction, experimental, documentary, animation, or a combination of any of these.
• Your submission should be a complete work which represents your best effort and one which engages your audience.
• Total running time of the submission must NOT exceed 5 minutes.
• You may not submit more than one film.
• Video footage of staged plays or theater performances is not acceptable.
• We do not accept excerpts or reels.
• You must be clear about your specific contributions the piece you submit.
• You should be the principal creative force behind your submission and will be asked to describe your role in detail.
• For detailed upload instructions, please login to SlideRoom .

Option 3: Writing (up to 6 pages):

• You may provide ONE short story or screenplay.
• Do not submit excerpts.
• Do not submit more than one piece of writing.
• The submission may not exceed 6 pages. If you are submitting a screenplay, the cover page will not count as one of your 6 pages of writing.
• You are welcome to submit fiction or nonfiction pieces.
• FORMAT: Double spaced, prose or screenplay format where applicable.
• All submissions must be in PDF format. Save your file as a PDF using the file name LastName_FirstName_CreativeSubmission.

General Instructions: To submit the portfolio, please go to the Film & TV SlideRoom Portal .  Submit by the appropriate deadline .

Important Info * Do NOT wait until the last minute to submit your creative portfolio. NYU offices are open 9-5 EST, M-F. SlideRoom Tech support is available 8-8 EST, M-S . If you experience difficulties outside of those hours, we will not be available to help you.

*Receipt of your portfolio will be confirmed via email from SlideRoom.  It will not appear on your Application Checklist portal in real time. In other words, you may see that your “Artistic Review” (aka portfolio) has not been received. Do not panic. Please allow the admissions office several days to process the receipt of your portfolio and update your checklist.

*Fee: SlideRoom charges a $12.00 fee (you may pay this fee with credit or debit card).*

*If you requested a fee-waiver via the Common App, your SlideRoom fee will automatically be waived. If you would like to request a fee-waiver directly, please email [email protected] after starting your Portfolio in SlideRoom (we cannot waive the fee until you have already initiated the portfolio).

Note: portfolio requirements are subject to change each year.