Dedicated Visual Artist with a decorated background in a variety of artistic mediums. Highly experienced in illustration and animation. Adept at working independently and collaboratively on projects and committed to achieving visual innovation and beauty. Ability to work well with others and utilize my art skills to visually enhance projects.
04/2014 - 09/2019, Illustrator, Neon Magazine, Los Angeles
- Utilize Photoshop and Illustrator in combination with traditional tools to create and enhance illustrations.
- Create hand-drawn inspiration boards using advanced technical drawing skills.
- Consult with clients and art directors regarding all visual content.
- Work to effectively prioritize project goals and stick to important timelines regarding projects.
- Use various art techniques to effectively convey ideas, emotions, tones, and stories.
05/2010 - 03/2014, Cartoonist, The Other Daily Paper, Los Angeles
- Created cartoons to accompany editorial projects.
- Commonly created political and social illustrations.
- Animated characters using advanced software to place cartoons into motion.
- Worked collaboratively with other departments to ensure a smooth publication process.
08/2005 - 05/2009, Bachelor of Animation, Pepperdine University, Malibu
09/2001 - 05/2005, High School Diploma, Malibu High School, Malibu
- Advanced Technical Drawing Skills
- Animation Techniques
- Stop Motion
- Interactive Media Skills
- Knowledge of Adobe Photo Shop
- After Effects
- and Illustrator
- Project Management Skills
- Creative Problem Solving Skills
Visual Artist Resume Example
The category Visual Artist encompasses a wide range of skills and talents. You may be an animator or a sculptor, a graphic designer or a fine arts expert. You may be multi-talented. In any case, you need to paint your skills in the best possible light. Whether you are looking for a full-time artist job or a new commission, you need a great resume to catch the eye of your next client or company.
Visual Artist resume examples by experience level
Of course, you have a portfolio of your work. The good news is that you can link to it directly from Resume.io. Plus, we have Creative resume templates you can personalize, a dedicated resume builder tool, and helpful tips within this guide that will show you how to:
- Get creative while keeping your resume easy for recruiters to scan
- Focus on each job individually
- Integrate your artistic vision into your work experience
- Avoid common pitfalls.
Let’s start with your profile, or artist statement.
Artist Statement Example
For most professions, this section would be a professional profile, and you can still choose to, but be sure to include your visual arts style. If you choose to include an artist statement instead, explain your artistic philosophy and include the styles and media in which you work. You may also want to mention your artistic influences. The fundamentals are similar to building a personal statement, but with additional artistic factors explained.
For either a resume summary profile or artist statement, you should highlight your greatest achievements, whether it be commissions, solo exhibitions, or a work for an employer. If you have earned any awards for your art or had a piece chosen for a juried exhibition, definitely include that!
The bottom line for a profile or artist statement is to give recruiters an idea of who you are and how you work. Remember that every client is a customer and you want to describe your collaborative process so that they understand how you will work together. You may include a great interaction with a previous client or a sentence on how you work in a team. If space is getting tight (your resume should be no more than two pages at the most), consider adding more details into your cover letter.
Example of a resume summary for a visual artist:
Dedicated Visual Artist with a decorated background in a variety of artistic media. Highly experienced in illustration and animation. Adept at working independently and collaboratively on projects, and committed to achieving visual innovation and beauty. Bringing forth the ability to work well with others and utilize my art skills to visually enhance projects.
Employment History Sample
Your Employment History section may look very different from a 9-to-5er’s section. If you have had steady, full-time work, you can use a reverse chronological order format; however, if you are a self-employed artist, you should list your work by project. In that case, you may want to include a sentence or two on the project specifications.
Either way, use bullet points to describe your artistic creations or achievements. Use strong descriptions and verbs to convey a candidate’s ability to create works of art using specific artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, textile design and so on. Also include the idea, emotion, message, or information your work expressed.
If you have held other jobs, focus on positions with transferable skills for a Visual Artist position.
See the professional experience sample content below.
- Served as a Senior Visual Artist for a popular comic publication.
- Utilized Photoshop and Illustrator in combination with traditional tools to create and enhance illustrations.
- Consulted with clients and art directors regarding all visual content.
- Created cartoons to accompany editorial projects.
- Animated characters using advanced software to place cartoons into motion.
- Worked collaboratively with other departments to ensure a smooth publication process.
- Used various art techniques to effectively convey ideas, emotions, tones, and stories.
Education Section Example
Although there are typically no education or training requirements required for a Visual Artist position, certain companies may require or prefer formal training or an advanced degree. It is helpful for a professional visual artist to have some kind of formal training in the fundamentals of form, color and composition, and various art techniques.
Your resume should highlight any formal experience and training you have. Remember to include any software training, such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, or any other skill related to your work. List all degrees and certifications here. Any awards, honors, or distinctions should be noted here as well. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor’s degree, you may leave out your high school.
Check out the example of education section bullet points for a visual artist:
- 2004-2008 Pepperdine University, Bachelor of Animation Malibu, CA
- 2000-2004 Malibu High School, High School Diploma Malibu, CA
Resume Skills Section Sample
The Skills Section of your resume comprises a list of 5-10 of your abilities both as an artist and as a collaborator. It is particularly important because recruiters or potential clients will be looking for artists with specific abilities. Every time you apply for a new job, you should match the requirements of the position with the skills you have listed here. Once again, remember that your artistic talent is very important, but so is your ability to keep a schedule, stay organized, and work with others to create the finished product they envision.
Most employers use an Applicant Tracking System that scans your resume for specific keywords, phrases, and other pertinent information. The better your resume matches the job listing, the more likely it is you will pass this computerized test.
Your degree of talent and skill is especially important when it comes to finding work as an artist.
Here’s an example of what the skill bullet points may look like in your resume (adapt your actual qualities/talents):
- Creative Direction
- Animation Techniques
- Knowledge of Complex Animation Software
- Technical Drawing Skills
- Graphic Design Skills
- Stop Motion Skills
- Interactive Media Skills
- Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, and Illustrator
References
Your reputation as an artist is key to your ability to get more work. You may want to add a separate section for references, or compile a page complimentary to your resume that you can offer to potential employers or clients.
Design and Formatting
You’re an artist, so you may be tempted to get very creative here and that’s great; however, you have to remember your objective: Your resume has to be easily scanned. Use our Creative resume templates as a jumping-off point, but keep these points in mind:
- Make sure your contact information is obvious. You won’t get the job if your prospective employer can’t find your phone number.
- Keep the font legible.
- Go easy on the bright colors.
- Make sure your section headings stand out.
- Include any social media accounts that highlight your work in your contact information heading unless you have many. Then, consider a separate area for them.
Creative workers are the only ones who we recommend should use a profile photo. Your personal look is part of your image as a visual artist. Your resume should also contain a link to an online portfolio (which you can do using our resume builder tool), showcasing your visual works and important information.
You’re ready to wow your next client or big job with your resume. Go for it!


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