Graphic Design Resume – 20 Creative Sample Resumes

You’ll spend half of your time as a designer impressing clients – or trying to, at least. To achieve that, you can show a portfolio containing your best work. But why not take it up a notch? Why not create a fancy and unique resume? If getting noticed is the objective, then you should aim to excite employers right from the get-go.

I know gimmicky resumes might not sit well with some of you and you do have to question the practicality of passing these around from one interview to another. However, if I was applying for a job where creativity is a huge factor, I’d rather march into human resources with one of these in hand and take comfort in the fact that I’ll be remembered when it counts.

That said, here’s a collection of creative and fun resumes to inspire and get your juices flowing. If you want to know more about the concept behind a particular resume, click on the image to see the original source.

More

3 Worst Freelance Designer Decisions You Can Make

The other day I did a piece on the three best freelance designer decisions you can make. Now, I’m following it up with the three worst freelance designer decisions you can make.

Keep in mind that I’m leaving obvious items off the list, such as copyright infringement and jumping off a cliff if a client complains, but including poor decisions freelance graphic designers make every day that jeopardize their careers and could spell doom for their businesses. In addition, I’ve avoided stating the opposites of the three best decisions you can make, since “double your fee” and “charge too little” seem a bit redundant.

Getting too comfortable
Ever hit a streak when steady client work is pouring in, you’re landing year-long contracts, and repeat business is so good you don’t have to look for new clients? I call it the Comfort Zone, and it’s a good feeling. But when you get too comfortable, you risk everything because you’re not sewing the seeds of new business.

Many say the freelance life is feast or famine, and getting too comfortable when things are going great means you’re setting yourself up for frustration when things settle down. Continually market your business, and even lulls in activity will be fruitful.

Refusing help
It’s great to have pride in your work, but too much pride can limit your profit potential and threaten your business. When you’re in the Comfort Zone, it can be easy to justify not looking for extra work because you don’t have time to take it on. Thus, you’re limited by what you – and you only – can accomplish. But when you’re open to contracting talented help to handle overflow, you can grow your business exponentially. Remember that every client you turn away is a client you can’t get back when business is slow.

Knowing everything
Think everything you need to know about graphic design you learned in college? Then you’re severely limiting your ability to compete in an ever-evolving marketplace. Always learn new techniques, stay abreast of new trends, and study others’ work. You’ll stay relevant and cutting edge while other struggle to keep up with archaic design styles.

What’s more, make a concerted effort to understand how graphic design plays into your clients’ overall goals. Remember that if your clients wanted a beautiful piece of art, they’d go to an art store. What they want, at least in most cases, is for you to create a design that will help them land sales. Understand how colors, contrast, layouts, font styling, and other design elements motivate customers in order to craft designs that not only look great, but also generate sales. Doing so will keep your customers ecstatic about your work and you in business for a very long time.

About the Author:

Brian Morris serves in various capacities as a freelance writer, content developer and public relations specialist for growing small businesses. His previous roles included managing editor for a hometown newspaper and club bartender for a group of quasi-alcoholics. When he’s not writing, he’s usually counting lost follicles and wondering what he ever did with his time before his two children were born.

Source

Typical Freelance Graphic Design Process

Social Graphic Designer (Photo credit: Filimonas)

Every freelance graphic designer operates their business differently, but in most cases follows the same general process as below. The information provided herein is based on my own experience as a freelance graphic designer, and can be used to set the basis for your own operations or to give clients a better insight into your typical design process.

Request for Quote
Before a project/job can begin, some form of introduction has to be made between the client and designer. It can go both ways: the designer submitting a project proposal, resume or portfolio for the client’s consideration or vice versa, the client submitting a request for quote, project brief, etc. This can be accomplished in any number of ways but most typically is either through an email, a website form, a phone call or an in-person meeting.

Estimate
If the cost of the project hasn’t been set by the client (i.e. in a job advertisement, project brief, etc.), generally the designer will review the project specifications and supply a reasonable estimate based on: the information submitted by the client during the introductory phase and their own rates and terms of service.

Contracts
An experienced designer knows better than to offer a service without the security of a contract to protect them. Typically the contract will cover all the basis of the designer’s working operations including: costs of services, deadlines, ownership, payment terms and so on. Always read and understand the contract fully before signing!

Deposits / Upfront Payments
Most designers require some form of upfront payment, generally 10-50% of the estimated project cost, and will expect it to be paid before any service is provided. This not only protects the designer in the event the client cancels after work has been provided, but also signals to the designer that the client is serious about following through with the project. In many cases, this initial deposit is retained by the designer (i.e. it won’t be refunded to the client).

Concepts 
Once all the paperwork and upfront payments are out of the way, the designer will then get to work by producing “concept ideas” based on the client’s requests. Generally these are sketches, mock-ups or what the designer believes the final design should look like (in rough form). Most designers provide 1-5 initial concept ideas. Providing the client with too many concepts could complicate and drag on the project for longer than initially projected – the client won’t like being billed more than the estimated cost.

Revisions
Generally the client will take a few days to mull over the concepts provided by the designer and choose one or two to modify or revise into what they want the final design to be. Some designers limit the amount of revisions that can be made in order to streamline the project to completion; while others provide unlimited amounts of revisions. If you have a picky client that likes to make change after change; a friendly reminder that they will go over-budget if they proceed to make any more changes and/or that their requested changes will be billed as a “redesign” (therefore needing a new set of contracts and payments) will help them make up their mind quicker, so you can get on with the design process.

Final Design
Once the client is satisfied with the concept idea that they’ve revised, its time for the designer to finalize the design – that is to clean up the artwork, prepare files for output, and compiling all the finished files to send to the client after final payment.

Final Payment
Before the designer releases the final design to the client a final payment is typically due for all the expenses incurred for the project; generally excluding the initial payment. Once all payments have been made, the designer will then send the final design along with any transfer of rights to the client. The client will then go on to use the files in the manner specified by the designer or as arranged for the project. Generally at this point the project is considered finished and the client and designer go their separate ways.

After Project Expenses
For projects where the content is licensed, sometimes the client will have to continue making payments to the designer for use of the design/material well into the future. Other times the client may return to the designer months or years later asking for a revision or change to the design; in most cases the designer will charge their then standard rate/terms for the service regardless of what the original rate was.

Source

Ask a Madman: My Client Wants Me to Copy a Design

Whether it happens in a corporate conference room or in a startup client’s office (read: Starbucks), at some point in your career, someone is going to ignore your sketches and ideas and say, “Here’s a site I like. I want one designed just like this!” A bruised ego is bad enough, but knowing where to draw the line between inspiration and theft is even tougher.

There are times we need to just give in to clients—it is a service industry, after all. As an old teacher once said to me: “If you’re a designer, you will have to follow instructions and inane wishes of clients. If you want to be an artist, then paint pictures.”

It sticks in my mind because at the time he was strangling me while other students tried to pry his hands from my throat. My arguments about creativity and self-respect were naïve… and aggravating, judging by the teacher’s attempt to murder me. I’m still reminded by peers that the wishes of the client are of utmost importance in our line of work.

More

How To Gracefully Fire a Client

Clients come in many varieties. Some are thoughtful, professional, cooperative and ALWAYS pay on time. Then there are the other ones. When a client goes beyond “difficult,” to being such a burden on your resources that your other clients suffer, then you may have no choice but to cut the cord. There are many legitimate reasons to end a client relationship, including non-payment, poor communication, client procrastination, and plain old-fashioned disrespectful behavior. Sometimes these situations can be solved with a little conversation, sometimes they can’t. For the purposes of this article, we will assume that you have already decided that you no longer want to work with your client. In that case, here is my action plan to gracefully bow out of a client relationship at any stage of the project.

More

Cover Letters for Graphic Designers

Why are cover letters so important? They provide the prospective employer with a brief review of your skills and abilities in the form of a letter. Letters are written much differently than resumes and can have a lasting impact on the reader. The best news is that writing one it isn't that hard, especially if you have already written your resume.

If you are wondering whether you need a cover letter or not, the answer is "yes". Employers are expecting a cover letter, but more important than that, you have an extra page to sell yourself if you write one. Even if you are an excellent Graphic Designer, you still need to convince the employer that you are worthy of a job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Among the five design occupations, graphic designers are expected to have the most new jobs through 2014; however, job seekers are expected to face keen competition for available positions."

What does that mean? It means there are design positions available, but you are going to have to work hard to get the really great jobs.

One other note of interest: "Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as graphic designers. Individuals with a bachelor's degree and knowledge of computer design software, particularly those with Web site design and animation experience, will have the best opportunities." That is also according to the BLS.

Graphic Designers, generally speaking, are in a good labor market right now. That's wonderful news, certainly. You should not encounter difficulties in obtaining work.

What about that awesome position with the top salary that you have your eye on, though? Do you think the competition for that position will be greater? You bet it will. That means your credentials will have to be presented in the best light possible if you are to get the job offer. So, how do you write a great cover letter?

The cover letter builds on the resume and leads the employer toward it. Its goal is to get the employer excited about the resume. It is a sales tool, just like the resume is. Sell yourself in a compelling and exciting way. Inject energy and let your best qualities reach the employer through carefully written examples and anecdotes. Don't just state what you are capable of, show the employer what you have done in the past with vibrant language that attracts and invites the employer to want to know more.

You are a part of a significant sector of the labor market. You have to be your very best to get the great jobs. What skills and abilities do you have that you can offer the employer – and – how can you do so in a way that makes the employer pick up the phone and call you for an interview? Be personable, but professional at the same time.

Let your cover letter generate interest in your resume, then let your resume grab the employer's attention so that you are invited in for a face to face meeting.

A cover letter isn't likely to persuade an employer to grant you an interview on its own, but it is part of the whole package that WILL encourage an employer to want to get to know you better. Make it an exciting and enjoyable read and you will find yourself being offered the Graphic Designer position you apply for.

Author:
Carla Vaughan, Owner/Webmaster Professional-Resume-Example.com
Carla is the owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com, a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books.
For more information about cover letters, follow this link: Amazing Cover Letters

Graphic Design Careers

If you think you are a person who could combine your artistic skill and your writing ability, you might try graphic designer as your occupation and become the professional one. A graphic designer has to be able to deliver the message effectively to targeted audiences or readers. That is the main job, because if the messages are not delivered very well, then no matter how artistic the design is, it would be useless.

Graphic design is an important marketing tool to create good images of the products or the company. Just take a look around you, whatever you see is, there is graphic design jobs involved. From logo, print ad, magazines, and many others.

Think about this, you are now reading this article on your monitor, right?! There are so many brands out there. Whatever decision you have made when you bought your monitor, I’m sure you believe that the product is the good one. That is because the company has already done a good job to market, advertise and sell their products. It is graphic designers’ responsibility to create a good image of the products along with the marketing and branding team.

As a graphic designer, you have to be able to dig in and explore your creativity and always come up with fresh ideas in order to produce the best graphic design and branding quality. Do some researches, find any information from their competitors, get the existing brochures (if any) and discuss it with your client. Ask what your clients really want and give them some alternative designs to choose.

There are some options working on graphic design field. You could focus on printed matter, web design or even on TV Commercials. It is possible for you to choose whether working on advertising agency or working by yourself as a freelance graphic designer. Working as a freelancer would give you more flexibility, while working on agency would give you steady income.

In fact, the options are almost unlimited. You could specialized on packaging if you think you are good at it, focusing on logo design is not a bad idea either.

If you like music, you can concentrate on music industry. That would be easier for you to explore your creativity when you are “in love” with the product. Specializing on CD cover design would be another interesting challenge.

Those are only a few alternative graphic design jobs that you could consider as your occupation for living. I’m sure you could come up with your own ideas.

Graphic design jobs is a promising career, considering that no matter how big or small the company is, it would need a good graphic designers to promote and sell their products.

Author
© Anton Ardjanggi, April 2007

Freelance graphic designer – how to win the project

As a freelancer, whether you like it or not you have to get clients by bidding for the project often and wish to win to survive, because getting clients by doing marketing is not easy for freelancers. Some companies, especially the big ones hardly put the trust on freelancers to get the job done. On the other way around, if the companies open the project for bidding, they don’t really care who is going to do the job, as long as the freelancers able to fulfill all requirements needed, including the price.

The problem is that sometimes professional freelance graphic designer has to be pitched with either fresh graduates or graphic design students. In this case, they are ready to lower the price in order to make a quick buck, earning some pocket money or building their portfolio. It is not fair for professional freelancer, since they don’t do it for living. Not like us who really make a living out of freelancing.

Do you have to lower your price and integrity to win the project? Some freelancers succumb to the need to win projects after they bid on it. Hawking over a less than worthwhile project is a complete waste of time. What freelancers should do is to simply keep their integrity. If you’ve established yourself in the market, have a relatively large (and impressive portfolio) and think you deserve to be paid whatever you think you should be paid, why lower yourself?

Just stick to what you believe and control the price. By lowering the price, it means that you seemed to be desperate for business, and don’t let your future and potential clients think that you are.

Make them believe that you stick to your price because you are much better than others. That’s what you “sell”, isn’t it?!

Of course, even after winning a bid or not bidding at all, you should still be open for reasonable bargaining. In business, there’s always some bargaining involved. Therefore, mark your price up about 5% than what you would normally charge others on your first bid. If the clients negotiate for a lower price, bring it down by 5% and you’ll get whatever you thought you deserved to start with.

What if the client still wants you to bring the price even lower? In this kind of situation, you need to use your business intuition. If you think that this future client is a nice kind of person and your relation with him/her will long lasting, you might lower your price down. But if this is what you’re doing, make sure you point out the fact that the price is exclusive and you don’t charge everyone else the same price.

Sometimes the clients would say that they will give you all project in the future. Don’t buy that! They say that just to make you trust them and lowering the price. The only way that you could make them coming back to you is giving them a very, very, very good quality! Both design and service!!! Not only this will make the client feel special but he/she will recommend other people your freelancing services. And if they do, they will also make a special note not to mention the pricing.

© Anton Ardjanggi, April 2007

style - how it affects your career as Graphic Designer

Few years ago, I had an opportunity to discuss with one of Indonesian well-known ‘branding expert’ about “how we can survive as a graphic designer, specially a freelance graphic designer. Does style affect?” He said, “What is style?! Go to **** with it. Style is killing designer!”

His answer really shocked me, because I am a graphic designer who likes certain style of design, and without I realized people recognized my work by that style.

What he said might be true for graphic designers who work at advertising agency or some creative boutiques, because they have to be able to fulfill what clients need and obey their boss.

It made me think.

Do I have to change my style?

Then I tried to trace all the way back. I have been 10 years working on graphic design field, during that time I always design with a certain style which more oriented to German style that has a certain characteristic such as ‘neat, compact, well alignment with strong square or rectangle geometrical shape’. In fact, in my early years I broke the design style one of the biggest local bank which already known as a very conservative bank with ‘minimalism, modern and geometrical’ kind of design.

That makes me sure that graphic design style is not always about era, just like many people think. Style is more related to like or dislike. In other words, a certain style won’t kill designers’ life.

On the other way around, a freelance graphic designer will be able to survive with his/her own style.

A freelance graphic designer, who has his/her own style, unconsciously would create his/her own target market. With their portfolios, prospect clients would see the characteristic of their artworks.

So, to those (future clients) who like our design style will fall in love automatically when they see our artworks without wasting more time to brief us what they want. The only information we need is about product they sell or message they want to deliver. They already trust us on how we will visualize it.

We don’t need to deal with hard to please kind of clients.

But still, it doesn’t mean that we are stuck and stop digging our creativity. Explore and strengthen the style in order to get the personal touch, that way our style will be our identity in graphic design industry.

Design style that becomes identity is very important for freelancers, because it is not easy for freelancers to get new clients. That is how to attract new clients.

© Anton Ardjanggi, April 2007

how to survive as Freelance Graphic Designer

I’ve been a freelance graphic designer for about 2 years. Many people wonder how I can survive, because they know that I don’t have big clients.

Most graphic designers, especially beginners care too much about having big clients, big job with big bucks. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. But sometimes they forget about their capabilities, considering freelancer has to do all work that ideally have to be done by more than one person. The result is that they can’t focus and concentrate on creativity process which is their main job. Therefore they can’t fulfill their clients’ requirements.
Guess what?!

The clients wouldn’t satisfy, and…… they never comeback!

So, what’s the big deal about having big clients, big job with big bucks if you’re only getting once for awhile? In fact, you’re only getting bad reputation by that.

Personally, I don’t really care about the big clients and big jobs. Big bucks?! Yes! I do care. But big bucks don’t always come from big clients. How can I get it, then?!

Continuity. That’s the answer.

Having small jobs from small clients constantly and continuously is more important than having big jobs from big clients once for awhile for freelancers.

During my career as freelance graphic designer, I focus on small to mid-size businesses as my target market. It’s been more than enough for me. They keep coming back regularly because they get their satisfaction from the first job I given. In fact, I got free marketing by their recommendation from one client to another.

Getting new client is not easy, but (trusts me)… to make them keep coming back is even harder. Therefore, treat them professionally and yet personally. Call them once for a while just to say “Hi” and find out how they’ve been doing if you haven’t heard from them for awhile. Create an “open-communication” in order to make both sides comfortable, that way it will be easier to understand what clients need when you get projects.

Treat your clients equally instead of take a side on the bigger one, because no matter how big (or small) your client (or the project) is, they all have the same right: getting what they paid for, rights on schedule.

© Anton Ardjanggi, March 2007

designing a Graphic Design Portfolio

Graphic design is the art of combining design principles, technology and ingenuity to arrive at solutions for a variety of visual communication needs. It is used in making business cards, logos, movie title graphics, websites, user manuals and signage. An attractive graphic design enhances visibility of the product and generates revenue for the client. Therefore, the graphic designer is an important member of the core team working on the campaign.

Most clients would need proof of one’s designing abilities. It is not as much about the list of former clients or award-winning work done before. It is about what the designer is capable of. Hence, every designer needs to compile his design solutions into a portfolio. The portfolio should be put together with care. It is like the business card for a designer.

The potential client is more interested in knowing whether you have the skill to translate his design needs into an effective campaign rather than your list of qualifications. The portfolio should, therefore, reflect the type of work you are comfortable in doing. A beginner or a person who does not work with many clients may not have much to show. In such a case, it is better to include most of the designs, which the person has done in the past.

The most important aspect of compiling the portfolio is to decide the pieces that would go into it. If you do not have many products to show, then it is better to include work, which you had done for friends. As we said before, clients are not concerned about who hired you before. They are just interested in knowing what kind of design capabilities you possess. For a newcomer or a freelancer, there could be possibilities of work done for close family, community organizations and friends. It is wise to accommodate such pieces in your portfolio. They reveal the ability to come up with acceptable solutions within budgetary constraints.

The portfolio should contain actual samples. For example, include brochures, fliers, book covers etc. On every project, obtain one or two copies for sample or portfolio use. File it away neatly. If your work was part of a larger design, such as illustrations in a book, include only those pages, by tearing them off. In case, you are not able to obtain originals, take printouts from your digital files or photocopies. More and more designers work in the area of web design. Include screen shots and high-resolution print outs from the website.

Once the pieces are chosen, one has to assemble them in a portfolio case. The case should accentuate the work rather than distract from it. Size of the case depends on the size of the materials. Place your best work at the beginning and at the end. You can also arrange according to clients or skill types. Always update your portfolio as you complete new projects.

A well-thought out and neatly presented portfolio is the first step towards establishing your business credentials. It indicates your methodical approach and makes you dependable in the eyes of prospective clients.

Author: Vincent Platania
We have a professional team of graphic designers that possess artistic ability and creative thinking for designing eye catching graphic design. Visit Graphic Design

career profile: Graphic Designer

What does a graphic designer do?
A graphic designer creates 2-dimensional presentations of words and pictures to communicate visual messages. There are many different avenues of graphic design, including advertising, book publishing, computer graphics, packaging, and television. Designers may also work with companies to design logos or web pages.

A graphic designer draws thumbnail sketches of ideas while considering all visual elements of design. Type, drawings, borders, color, photography, and fonts need to be manipulated to find the right combination that will suit the client's needs.

Skills
Graphic design requires creativity, artistic talent, and computer proficiency. The designer must be able to accept criticism and resolve issues. Analytical skills and business skills are very useful. The ability to work with others is an asset because designers collaborate with copywriters, executives, editors, and printers. Presentations are required in order to show work to clients and colleagues.

Work Conditions
Graphic designers work in well-lit design studios with computers. Occasionally, travel to clients or vendor locations is required. Work can be stressful due to design rejection or impending deadlines. Designers often work overtime and have less leisure time than other career fields.

Education
Employers usually require a two- or four-year degree in graphic design. It is possible to enter the field without a degree, but only with a strong portfolio of design works. A portfolio is an asset to anyone seeking employment in this field. As you are training for a job, it is important to learn the newest computer and software technology in design.

Salary
With an associates degree, a designer will start off at $21,000 - $24,000 a year. A designer with a bachelor's degree will usually earn $25,000 - $31,000 a year for entry level positions. The average income is $34,000 - $41,500 a year in small to medium sized design studios. Large firms will range from $39,500 - $52,000. Top earnings vary greatly, but managers and art directors can earn $75,000 - $150,000 a year.

Outlook
Competition is high in graphic design, but there is always a demand for artists who display outstanding talent and creativity. Employment growth is highest in web design and multimedia. Other opportunities can be found in advertising and publishing.

By: Christi Wagner / www.uwec.edu

a career in Graphic Design - working your way to the top of the creative industries

Creative Director
Lets start at the top and work down. Art directors, or Creative Directors are responsible for a creative team that may design work for magazines, television, advertising graphics, websites, or on packaging. A creative team can consist of layout artists, graphic designers, photographers, copywriters, and menial staff to do the work. An Art directors job is to make sure that each of these workers do not slack off down the pub and complete their work to a deadline and to the client's needs. Art directors also make major decisicions along the lines of should the background be slate grey or cobalt blue, issuing dictates and changing their mind several days after a deadline has passed - leaving co-workers resolutely glum about their position in the grand scheme of things. Art directors will inevitably have come from some kind of marketing or sales background and need no prior graphic design knowledge or skill.

Senior Designer
A Senior Designer is mainly concerned with the visual aspects of a company and will probably have been promoted on the basis that she is fun and a 'great team player' (despite this being far from the case). A Senior Designer will usually insist on having a larger widescreen monitor than the rest of the team which will be decorated variously with fluffy pink bits marketing people send through on a daily basis. A Senior Designer will be involved in the elements of a company's look such as business cards, stationery, packaging design, media advertising graphics, promotional design, and sticking up pictures of topless 'hunks'.

Graphic Designer
The job of a Graphic Designer is to provide a new and exciting way to express the key information of a company or product through a dynamic image or use of typography. Graphic Designers take the scant information given to them by the client and using the internet to scab some free clip art, fashion their own ripped off logo designs in order to fleece the client for all they are worth.

Layout Artists and Artworkers
The engine room of the design world. These scumbags have been buried away with their dusty macs for decades, remorselessly churning out pages and layouts. Inevitably some clueless muppet will send over a 100 page brochure layed out in microsoft word and it will be the Artworkers thankless task to make it publishable. They will need to recognise a font at 50 yards, be able to colour correct the dreariest of images and take a good bollocking every now and again to keep them on their toes. The Artworker must have the ability to design magazines, design brochures, design flyers, design books and design posters. He harbours murder fantasies.

Illustrators
Illustrators generally speaking will have long greying hair and be influenced by prog rock. Working from home among the dungeon and dragonns figurines and manga comics they will attempt to put their own unique spin on whatever brief they are given. What you will be presented with is a semi clad girl with oversized boobs. You will have waited several weeks for this. You will never learn from previous mistakes.

Web Designers
Web designers create the pages, layout, and graphics for web pages, they will be technically minded to the point of absurdity. They will insist on using c++ coding language to impress other geeks and will beaver away doing whatever it is geeks do for hours on end. Web designers also design and develop the navigation tools of a site which will for design websites involve tiny text that makes your eyes bleed. Web designers are far too clever for their own good and should never be encouraged.

By: Horatio Farquaar