Art and design

Illustrator CV: example and template

This example is for illustrators working for publishers, agencies, newsrooms and brands, in-house and freelance, and for graphic designers and art school graduates who want to illustrate.

The client wants to know your style, which techniques you use, what you illustrate, for whom, how work goes from sketch to final version and how you keep to deadlines. The portfolio matters most, but a good CV helps you present it. We show you how to describe this on your CV.

Create your CV in the builderSee the example

Example CV: illustrator

All the details in this example are fictional. Treat it as a model of layout and wording, and replace the content with your own experience.

Zofia Was

Illustrator

Gdansk +48 123 456 789 zofia.was@example.com portfolio: example.com/zofia

Professional profile

Illustrator with 7 years of experience illustrating children's books, covers, press articles and packaging. I work digitally on a tablet and traditionally in watercolour, have a recognisable style with warm colours, and run projects from sketches through revisions to print-ready files. I have illustrated 18 books, including 2 that won awards in competitions for the most beautiful children's book.

Work experience

Illustrator

03.2019 - present

Self-employed, working with publishers and brands, Gdansk

  • 18 illustrated children's books, 2 award-winning.
  • Covers, press illustrations and packaging.
  • Digital technique and watercolour.
  • Projects from sketches through revisions to print files.
  • Regular work with 4 publishers.

Graphic designer

07.2017 - 02.2019

Design studio, Gdynia

  • Campaign illustrations.
  • Packaging designs.
  • Preparing print files.

Education

Master's degree, graphic arts, illustration specialism

2012 - 2017

Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk

Skills

  • Book illustration
  • Digital illustration
  • Watercolour and traditional techniques
  • Character design
  • Preparing print files
  • Working with publishers and art directors

Awards and courses

  • Children's book competition awards, 2021 and 2023
  • Publishing illustration workshop, 2020

Languages

  • English: B2

Additional information

  • Online portfolio
  • Work with foreign clients

I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).

How to write an illustrator CV

Professional summary

Write what you illustrate, in which style and techniques and for whom. Add results, for example the number of books or awards. The client is looking for an illustrator with a clear style who understands the brief, takes feedback and delivers print-ready files on time.

Graphic designer with 2 years of experience at a design studio, with a degree in illustration. I create campaign illustrations and packaging designs. I am looking for regular work as a children's book illustrator.

Experience: duties and achievements

Describe the types of illustration, clients, techniques, style, how work runs and the number of projects. Show results in numbers. Add a portfolio link and awards. Also say whether you work with foreign clients.

Weaker: Illustrations.

Better: 18 illustrated children's books, 2 award-winning.

Weaker: Techniques.

Better: Digital technique and watercolour.

Weaker: Cooperation.

Better: Projects from sketches through revisions to print files.

Skills worth listing

List types of illustration, techniques, character design, print preparation and cooperation. In your soft skills show imagination, meeting deadlines and taking feedback.

Professional skills

  • Book illustration
  • Digital illustration
  • Watercolour
  • Character design
  • Print files
  • Composition

Personal skills

  • Imagination
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Taking feedback
  • Independence
  • Communication

Awards and courses

List awards, exhibitions and workshops. A portfolio of your best work matters most in this job.

First jobs as an illustrator

Prepare a portfolio of a dozen or so of your best works in one consistent style. Add diploma work and personal projects.

Describe competitions and exhibitions. They are a good way to get publishers to notice your work.

Tailoring your CV to the job offer

A children's publisher looks for characters and a warm style, a newsroom for quick illustrations for articles, and a brand for packaging and consistency with its identity. Move to the top what the job ad is about.

The most common mistakes on an illustrator CV

Questions and answers

What should an illustrator put on a CV?

Types of illustration, style, techniques, clients, projects, awards and a portfolio link.

Is a portfolio enough instead of a CV?

The portfolio matters most, but a short CV organises your experience and clients.

How is an illustrator different from a graphic designer?

An illustrator creates images for texts and products, while a graphic designer more often designs layouts, identities and marketing materials.

Which results are worth giving?

The number of books and projects, awards and regular clients.

Create an illustrator CV in the builder

In the CV Majster builder you enter your details step by step and see right away what the document looks like. You can copy the wording from this page and adapt it to yourself. The finished CV as a PDF costs a one-off PLN 5, with no subscription, and you see the preview before you pay.

Go to the CV builder

See also

Resume examples for similar jobs

Career guide

All resume examples by job