Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Template

What Is a Freelance Graphic Designer?

A freelance graphic designer is a professional who provides visual communication services to clients on a project or contract basis, rather than being employed full-time by one company. Freelancers work across a wide variety of industries like marketing, publishing, architecture, fashion, and more to create designs that meet specific business objectives and communicate messages through images, typography, color, and composition.

As of 2022, approximately 15% of all graphic designers were self-employed freelancers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The ability to work remotely and set their own hours appeals to many graphic designers. Building a diverse freelance portfolio allows designers to work on a range of projects and express their creativity while managing their own business.

What Does a Freelance Graphic Designer Do?

Freelance graphic designers take on visual communication projects, including logos, brochures, posters, packaging, websites, mobile apps, marketing materials, social media graphics, advertisements, signage, and more. Their day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Meeting with clients to determine design goals, target audiences, and requirements. 
• Researching concepts, themes, and ideas related to the project.
• Developing multiple draft designs or proposing different creative directions.
• Using design software like Adobe Creative Cloud to produce digital or print layouts and graphics.
• Selecting colors, fonts, images, icons, illustrations, and other visual elements.
• Collaborating with copywriters on text, content, and messaging.
• Presenting design mockups and prototypes to clients for feedback.
• Revising designs based on client change requests and feedback. 
• Ensuring designs meet technical specifications for reproduction and printing.
• Communicating and coordinating with external vendors or services on file preparation, printing, fabrication or installation.

To succeed as a freelancer, graphic designers must be creative thinkers, highly skilled in design software, and effective communicators, project managers and negotiators. Their work aims to create visual solutions that inspire, inform, or captivate audiences.

Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Writing Tips

Crafting a resume that stands out is a crucial step for freelance graphic designers trying to win new clients and projects. With so much talent out there, having a polished, professional resume that quickly shows off your skills and experience to potential clients is essential. Follow these freelance graphic designer resume writing tips to create a document that visually represents your personal brand and talent to help you land more interviews and job opportunities.

Choosing the Best Resume Format

Selecting the appropriate resume format is crucial for showcasing your skills and experience as a Freelance Graphic Designer. Different formats suit different career stages and goals:

Chronological Format: Ideal for those with a solid work history. It emphasizes career progression by listing work experiences in reverse chronological order.

Example: If you’ve had several freelance design contracts with notable clients, this format helps highlight your impressive client roster.

Functional Format: Useful if you’re shifting careers or have gaps in employment. It focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than work history.

Example: If you’re transitioning from in-house design to freelance work, emphasize your versatile design skills.

Combination Format: A blend of both chronological and functional formats. It highlights skills and provides a detailed work history.

Example: Use this format if you have significant freelance experience and specific skills but want to showcase your consistent work history.

Create a Professional Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Header

Your header is the key to real estate on a freelance graphic design resume. 

• Include your full name prominently displayed and your personal logo, if you have one. 
• Underneath, add your profession title, city location, email, phone number, website/online portfolio link, and links to professional social media pages like LinkedIn and Behance.

Write a Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Summary and Objective

Choose between a summary or objective based on your career stage and goals:

Summary: Ideal for experienced designers. Summarize your achievements and strengths.

Example:

A seasoned Graphic Designer with 10+ years of freelance experience, specializing in branding and digital design for global clients.

Objective: Suitable for beginners or career changers. State your career aspirations and what you bring to the table.

Example:

A passionate design enthusiast transitioning to freelance work, eager to apply my creative skills to diverse projects.

Highlight Your Graphic Designer Skills

Your resume should highlight your hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are the technical skills that you have learned through education or training. Soft skills are the personal qualities that make you a good employee, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

When highlighting your skills, be sure to use keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for. You can find these keywords by reading the job description carefully.

Include a skills section or summary to showcase technical and soft skills:

• Software proficiency: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Sketch, InVision, Figma, etc.
• Design expertise: logo design, branding, typography, color theory, layout, info graphics
• Concept development: art direction, visual storytelling, messaging, user experience design
• Communication: client presentation, collaboration, teamwork, verbal skills
• Organization: project management, budgeting, asset management, print production

Add Your Work Experience

List your freelance projects or previous jobs in reverse chronological order. For each role, summarize the clients you worked with, your responsibilities, achievements, and types of design work accomplished. Emphasize specialized skills used to solve clients’ problems and support business goals.

Here is an example of how to showcase work experience on a freelance graphic designer’s resume:

• Company ABC (Los Angeles, CA)
• Freelance Graphic Designer, May 2019 – Present
  • Worked directly with marketing team to design brand logo, style guide, packaging, and other collateral for new organic food product line launch.
  • Produced social media graphics, digital banners, and infographics to support brand awareness marketing campaign, increasing the client’s Instagram following by 15%.
  • Designed and illustrated 50+ page print cookbook with recipes and lifestyle photography that sold over 8,000 copies.
  • Collaborated on redesign of company website and mobile app interfaces, helping boost online traffic and engagement metrics by 20% over 6 months.
  • Created graphics and visuals used at trade show booths and in sales presentations that contributed to 35% increase in new account sign-ups.

Add Your Education

Include institution names, graduation years, fields of study, and academic successes like honors, scholarships, or awards. Omit high school education.

Here is a concise example of how a graphic designer could present their education on a resume:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, May 2023
• Art Institute of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
  • GPA: 3.8 / 4.0 (Optional)
  • Honors: Excellence in Typography Award, AIGA Portfolio Scholarship
  • Relevant Coursework: Digital Illustration, Publication Design, Web Design, Adobe CC
  • Internship: XYZ Design Agency

Other Sections to Consider

Additional sections can make your resume stand out:

1. Portfolio: Include a link to your best online portfolio.
2. Certifications: List any relevant certifications (e.g., Adobe Certified Expert).
3. Languages: Mention any language proficiency that can enhance your opportunities.
4. Volunteer Work: If applicable, highlight volunteer design projects that demonstrate your skills.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Freelance Graphic Designer Resume

Creating a winning Freelance Graphic Designer resume is essential to securing clients and projects. However, there are common mistakes that applicants often make. To present your credentials effectively, avoid these pitfalls:

1. Lack of Tailoring: Using a generic resume without customizing it for each job opportunity. Tailor your resume to match the specific skills and requirements mentioned in the job posting.
2. Overly Creative Design: While creativity is crucial for a Graphic Designer, your resume’s design should remain professional and easy to read. Avoid excessive graphics, colors, or fonts that can distract from the content.
3. Lengthy Resumes: Keeping your resume concise is key. A resume that’s too long may not get the attention it deserves. Stick to one or two pages, highlighting your most relevant experiences and skills.
4. Vague Language: Using vague phrases like “assisted with design projects” instead of specific, quantifiable accomplishments. Be clear about your contributions and results, such as “increased website traffic by 25% through redesign.”
5. Ignoring Keywords: Neglecting industry-specific keywords and LSI terms that align with the job description can result in your resume not passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS). Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume.
6. Lack of Contact Information: Ensure your contact information is accurate and easily accessible. Include a professional email address and an updated LinkedIn profile.
7. Omitting a Portfolio: Graphic design is a visual field, so providing a link to your portfolio is essential. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your best work.
8. Focusing on Irrelevant Experience: Including unrelated work experiences or personal information that doesn’t add value. Keep the focus on your relevant skills and achievements.
9. Spelling and Grammar Errors: Even a single typo can tarnish your professional image. Proofread your resume carefully, and consider using grammar-checking tools.
10. Lack of Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone throughout your resume. Avoid slang, overly casual language, or inappropriate email addresses.
11. Not Highlighting Soft Skills: Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management are important for any freelancer. Showcase how you’ve used these skills to enhance your projects.
12. Neglecting Continuing Education: The design field evolves rapidly. Mention any relevant workshops, courses, or certifications to show your commitment to staying current.

Avoid these common mistakes when writing your resume, and make sure it looks great, free of mistakes, and professional. This will help you get more clients and stand out in the competitive world of freelance graphic design.

Freelance Graphic Designer Cover Letter Writing Tips

 Here are some tips for writing an effective cover letter as a freelance graphic designer:

Introduction Paragraph

• Introduce yourself, your specialty (branding, UI/UX, packaging, etc.) and the value you bring to clients.
• State the role you are applying for and where you found the job posting.
• Briefly explain why you are interested in the company and role based on research.

Body Paragraphs

• Highlight 2-3 relevant design projects from your portfolio that demonstrate skills needed for the role. 
• Explain the objectives, process, and results achieved for each project. Quantify your contributions.
• Link your capabilities back to the company’s specific needs outlined in the job description.
• Focus on storytelling and visual communication abilities, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration with stakeholders, and technical expertise.
• Mention any knowledge of the industry or niche the hiring company operates in and how your experience applies.

Closing Paragraph 

• Restate your interest and fit for the position and company. 
• Include a call to action for setting up an interview or next steps. Provide your contact details.
• Thank the reader for their consideration. Positively express your excitement about the chance to talk more about your qualifications.

Additional Tips

• Research the company before applying to reference their brand, products, services, and culture in your letter.
• Keep the letter concise, personalized, and specifically tailored to each role.
• Highlight both the creative and business value you can provide in the role. 
• Review for spelling and grammar errors to present a polished, professional document.
• Optionally include links to your online portfolio, website, and LinkedIn profile. 
• Match the tone and formatting of your letter to the company’s brand identity.

With a compelling, personalized cover letter focused on your best projects and value as a graphic designer, you can grab potential clients’ attention and strengthen your candidacy.

FAQs About Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Template

What is a Freelance Graphic Designer’s Resume Template?

A Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Template is a pre-designed document that helps graphic designers create a professional and visually appealing resume. It includes formatted sections for personal information, skills, work experience, education, and more.

Why Should I Use a Resume Template as a Freelance Graphic Designer?

Resume templates save time and let you highlight your skills and experience instead of formatting. They also ensure consistency and a visually appealing layout that can grab the attention of potential clients or employers.

Are Freelance Graphic Designer Resume Templates Customizable?

Yes, all of our resume templates are customizable. You can change the template to include your personal information, skills, work history, and other important information.

What’s the Recommended File Format for Sharing Resume Templates?

PDF is the recommended file format for sharing your resume template with potential clients or employers. PDFs maintain the formatting and layout integrity across different devices and operating systems.

Can an Entry-Level Freelance Graphic Designer Use This Resume Template?

Absolutely! This resume template is versatile and suitable for entry-level freelance graphic designers. It provides a structured and professional format to showcase your skills, education, and any relevant experiences, even if you’re just starting your graphic design career. Customizing this template with your information will help you create a compelling resume that shows potential clients or employers your potential and passion for the field.

INCLUDES:

• Cover Letter Template (can also be used as a thank you letter)
• Microsoft Word (.docx) files
• Apple Pages (.pages) files
• Photoshop (PSD) Files
• Illustrator (EPS) Files
• Detailed Instructions file
• A4 Paper Size Included
• Links to free fonts used
• 24/7 hours Fast and friendly customer service