Graphic designer CV example
In a graphic designer's CV, present your experience briefly and link to your portfolio (Behance, Dribbble or your own website). Keep the text clearly laid out and easy to scan, both for the people reading it and for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
The example below suits graphic, brand and digital design roles. If you are applying to an international agency or an in-house team that works in English, write the project descriptions in your portfolio in English too: the CV and the portfolio are read together.
CV example
Graphic designer with agency and freelance experience: created 30+ brand identities, packaging for 4 food producers (sold in 200+ shops) and ad campaign visuals with a click-through rate (CTR) 40% above the market average. Portfolio: behance.net/vardenis
- Created 30+ brand identities (logos, brand guidelines, applications) for private- and public-sector clients.
- Designed packaging for 4 food producers, sold in 200+ shops in Lithuania and Latvia.
- Produced digital ad visuals (Meta, Google) with campaign CTRs 40% above the market average.
- Prepared print layouts (catalogues, posters, labels): 400+ orders a year with no print errors.
- Built the company's internal template system in Adobe InDesign.
Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA): BA,Graphic Design, 2019
What to put in a graphic designer CV
Behance, Dribbble, a personal website or a PDF. Check that the link works and opens within 3 seconds on a phone.
Not “designed a logo”, but “brand identity for a coffee roaster: packaging in 200 shops, sales up 25% in the first six months”.
An ATS reads only the text. Show your creativity in the portfolio; keep the CV tidy, with good typography and one accent colour.
For print, the Adobe suite; for digital and UI, Figma; for motion, After Effects. State your level in each.
Most common mistakes
- A CV designed like a poster (two columns, icons, infographics) can stop some applicant tracking systems from reading it correctly.
- A portfolio of 50 pieces with no selection: show your best 8–12.
- No results: for a business, design is an investment, so show what it delivered.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a design job without a design degree?
Yes. In design, the portfolio counts for more than the diploma. A strong portfolio of real projects (even volunteer ones) opens doors.
How many pieces should my portfolio show?
8–12, each with a short description: the brief, the solution, the result. Put your three strongest first.
Should I list freelance work as a job?
Yes: “Freelance Graphic Designer, 2020–present”, with the number of clients and examples. It counts as real work experience.