Graphic Designer CV Keywords: Skills & ATS Terms to Include

Designers often lose out to ATS because their CVs are beautiful but unreadable to software. Keep a plain, parseable CV for applications and link to your portfolio for the visuals.

Not sure which of these your CV is missing? Upload it with a graphic designer job description and get your ATS score and missing keywords free.

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Graphic Designer hard skills

Core competencies recruiters and ATS filters search for.

Brand identityTypographyLayout designVisual designPrint designDigital designMotion graphicsPackaging designSocial media creativeArt directionDesign systemsIllustration

Graphic Designer tools & software

Use the exact product names from the job ad.

Adobe PhotoshopAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe After EffectsFigmaCanvaSketchAdobe Premiere ProProcreateBlender

Graphic Designer certifications & qualifications

Write the full name and the acronym, with the year.

Adobe Certified ProfessionalGoogle UX Design CertificateFigma training (for UI-leaning roles)

Graphic Designer soft skills

Show these through achievements rather than listing them alone.

CreativityReceiving feedbackTime managementClient communicationAttention to detailCollaboration with marketing

Graphic Designer action verbs

Start each bullet with one of these instead of "Responsible for".

DesignedCreatedRebrandedProducedArt-directedIllustratedDevelopedDeliveredRefreshedAnimated

Weak vs strong graphic designer CV bullets

Designed social media posts.

Designed 300+ social assets a quarter for 4 brands, contributing to a 55% rise in engagement on Instagram.

Worked on a rebrand.

Led the visual rebrand of a 40-location restaurant chain across menus, signage and packaging, delivered in 10 weeks.

Examples are illustrative. Only use figures you can back up in an interview.

ATS tip for graphic designer CVs

Avoid two-column layouts, icons for contact details and text inside images. Put your portfolio URL as plain text in the header so both ATS and humans can find it.

How to use these keywords

  1. Start from the job description, not this list. Keywords that appear in the ad matter most.
  2. Only include skills you genuinely have. You will be asked about them.
  3. Put the most important keywords in both your Skills section and your experience bullets.
  4. Use the employer's exact wording (e.g. "Adobe Photoshop", not a synonym).
  5. Keep formatting simple: single column, standard headings, no text inside images.

See exactly which keywords your CV is missing

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