Useful art director resume writing tips

Behind every record cover, TV commercial, packaging of a product or a poster promoting a theatrical play, there is an art director in charge of achieving the final result.

They turn the creative vision for the company's products and branding into a reality, keeping in mind client satisfaction.

Each creative project is unique, and so is every resume depending on one’s trajectory. There is, however, a number of fundamental sections that a proper art director resume should never miss.

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1. Must-have personal details to put on your art director resume

The key is the right balance of information. Make your personal details section simple and avoid oversharing. Remember to include your full name, telephone, email and, ideally, your portfolio link.

A great art director portfolio can certainly get you one step closer to landing a great job. Showcasing your artistic capabilities and strategic thinking through a variety of projects is crucial.

Nevertheless, remember that the right choice of work can have a bigger impact on recruiters than all the projects you have overseen so far. Accordingly, pick the best of your best projects, making sure that they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Get inspired by these 10 amazing personal websites.

2. Compelling professional summary to include in your art director resume

Just as a film needs a teaser that captivates the attention of viewers, your art director resume needs a compelling professional profile.

Focus on your greatest achievements and skills to offer your future employer. As a creative professional, you will certainly pick accomplishments that best predetermine you for the role you want.

Art director professional summary example

"Enthusiastic Art Director with a master’s degree in Graphic Design and 7+ years of solid experience in advertising and marketing. Supervised 120+ advertising campaigns, employing strategic planning, measurement of results and reputation management. Spearheaded the delivery of best in class brand narratives celebrating innovation of the product. Won the 2017 Communication Arts Award for milligoes.com."

3. The most fitting skills to put on your art director resume

As an art director, you supervise all graphics production activities, develop print specifications and deliver creative solutions. 

This clearly indicates your expertise in design software, and that is when listing hard skills in your resume comes in handy. 

Best hard skills for an art director resume

  • Adobe Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
  • Branding
  • Print design
  • UX Design
  • Typography
  • Photography
  • HTML & CSS
  • Drawing and painting
  • Project management

Not only is your role defined by your software expertise, but you may as well be best characterized by your creative vision and persuasion. You motivate your team to be original and innovative in order to meet your client’s expectations. 

Best soft skills for an art director resume

  • Creativity
  • Strategic and critical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Active listening
  • Teamwork
  • Diligence
  • Problem solving
  • Taking criticism
  • Time management
  • Persuasion

Check out for more of the best soft and hard skills to put on your resume in 2021.

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4. Make your art director work experience resume section shine

Professional experience is undoubtedly one of the most crucial resume sections. Besides allowing space for listing your past roles, it most importantly reveals your capabilities and achievements in given positions.

Start with your most recent role, and mention your most significant accomplishments. Are they measurable? Even better! Quantifying your achievements gives recruiters a better sense of your contribution. Remember to target each work experience to the job you are applying for.

Art director job description example

Markem Designs
Lear Art Director
2015–2018

  • Skillfully Developed 25+ concepts for products in partnership with the communication and account teams.
  • Spearheaded the team of 7 designers and production staff to ensure the desired results.
  • Increased client’s sales by 24% in a 3-month period.
  • Enhanced art department and organization reputation.

5. Make your art director resume education section stand out

An art director would typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a design or art subject. Mentioning your academic achievements turns out to be useful especially if you lack work experience in the field.

Art director education section example

University of Europe
BA in Graphic Design
2010–2013

  • Excelled in Publication and Packaging Design
  • Winner, Student Advertising Competition 2013
  • Area of interest: Marketing & Advertising Graphic Design

6. Complement your art director resume with extra sections

You know when and where to best invest your energy, and how to most effectively get the job done. Pick the most suitable extra sections to complement your art director resume, depending on your preference and accomplishments in each:

  • Certifications
  • Awards
  • Volunteering Activities
  • Language Skills
  • Interests 

7. Format your art director CV flawlessly

For a professional at developing art concepts into layouts, a faultless resume format is a walkover.

Here are some golden rules that will help you impeccably format your art director resume:

  • Select the best, ideally a two-column, layout.
  • Use white space for readability and navigation.
  • If you opt to use color or graphic elements, make them subtle, so that they do not distract from the content.
  • Use a professional font between 10-12 points.
  • Save your resume as a PDF document unless the job ad states differently.

Check out these 10 art resume samples to score an art job that pays the bills.

Published on Dec. 1, 2021

Julia is a professional writer, translator and graphic designer. She holds degrees in translation and interpretation, and has international work experience from a number of different countries in Europe as well as China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and as a graphic designer contributed to outlets such as The Business of Business. She has a passion for lifelong learning and good coffee.

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