Creating a compelling freelance artist resume can be challenging. This essential document is your first step to land lucrative gigs or collaborations in the art world. Our blog post provides you with tailored tips and real-life examples to help you craft an impressive resume that showcases your artistic skills and experiences.
Dive in, and discover how to make your professional profile irresistible for potential clients!
Key Takeaways
- A good freelance artist resume has contact info, a short summary, key skills, work history and education.
- Action words like ‘designed’, ‘illustrated’, ‘created’ and ‘collaborated’ make your resume shine.
- Creative thinking, art software use, time management and client relationship skills are important to have as an artist.
- Show off big wins from past jobs to stand out from other artists.
What to Include in a Freelance Artist Resume?
Your freelance artist resume should distinctly incorporate your contact details, a concise resume summary, core skills relevant to the industry, brief about your professional experience and educational qualifications.
Contact Details
Your artist resume needs to have your name, job title, phone number, email and address. This is how people will reach you. Place these details at the top of your page. Don’t put in a photo unless you want to.
It’s not needed for US jobs. Keep your info clear and easy to read for others.
Resume Summary
A resume summary gives a quick look at the artist’s skills. It shares work done and what makes you special. It should be short and full of facts that stick in the mind. Mention your best works, awards won, or big-name clients you’ve worked for.
This tiny text can make a huge impact on potential clients or employers. A good summary acts like a door into your world of art. So, polish it until it shines! You need to show them why they should pick you out from all the other artists who want their job.
Core Skills
Freelance artists need a mix of creative and practical skills to succeed. Here are some key things they should know how to do:
- Show artistic talent: They need to be able to make great art that people want to buy.
- Use art software: They must know how to use programs like Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Maya, or Unity.
- Manage time well: Artists have to keep track of multiple projects at once and finish each one on time.
- Work with clients: They need good people skills so they can make sure the client is happy with the final product.
- Solve problems: If something goes wrong during the creative process, they have to fix it fast.
- Draw and paint: Whether using pencil and paper or digital tools, these basic skills are a must for any artist.
- Make digital designs: Many artists work in the digital space, making logos, web design layouts, and more.
- Use social media: Artists often show off their work on sites like Instagram or Pinterest to get new clients.
- Do research: Before starting a project, an artist needs to learn about the subject matter or style that the client wants.
Professional Experience
In your resume, the “Professional Experience” section is vital. Here you list down all the work you did as a freelance artist. Write the name of each client or company for whom you did a project.
Also note the time period for which you worked on it.
Give a short detail about what the project was about. Highlight what kind of art or design work you created. If there are any big wins from your projects, show them off here! Bring up any awards or special things that happened during these times.
If ever you teamed up with other artists or groups, include this in your experience too. Showing how well you can work with others adds more strength to your profile.
Education
Schooling matters for a freelance artist. You should list all your art-related education on your resume. Note down if you have a degree in Fine Arts or Art History. Include classes or workshops you’ve taken too.
If you got any special training, be sure to add it! It shows that you are serious about your work as an artist. Put licenses and certificates in this part of the resume as well. They give proof of your skills and show how good you are at what you do.
Our Exact Outline for your Freelance Artist Resume
1. Header
- Full Name
- Contact Information: Phone number, Email, LinkedIn, Personal Website/Portfolio
2. Summary or Objective
- A brief, compelling statement about your career goals and what you aim to bring to potential clients.
3. Skills
- Highlight key artistic skills and competencies.
- Include relevant soft skills, such as communication or time management.
4. Professional Experience
- List your freelance projects, emphasizing the results and impact of your work.
- Include the client’s name, project duration, and a brief description of the project.
- Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements for each project.
5. Education
- Your degree, school name, and graduation date.
- Any relevant coursework or honors.
6. Portfolio
- A separate section to mention the link to your online portfolio.
- Could also briefly list key pieces or projects and their significance.
7. Certifications and Awards
- Any relevant certifications or awards that could bolster your application.
8. Exhibitions
- Mention any exhibitions where your work has been featured.
- Include the name of the exhibition, location, and date.
9. Professional Affiliations
- Memberships in professional organizations or groups.
10. Social Media and Online Presence
- Links to professional social media profiles such as Instagram, where you showcase your work.
- Ensure these profiles are polished and professional.
11. References
- “Available upon request” (to save space, and provide them separately when asked).
Formatting Tips:
- Font: Choose a clean, professional font. Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica are good choices.
- Font Size: Main headings can be a bit larger, but avoid going below a 10-point font for body text.
- Colors: Use color sparingly. Stick to one, professional-looking color if you choose to use it.
- Margins: Keep margins between 0.5” and 1”.
- Bullet Points: Use bullet points for easy reading, but avoid overusing them.
Technology Tips:
- File Format: Save your resume in PDF format to preserve the formatting.
- File Name: Use a professional file name such as “FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf”.
- Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Remember, customization is key. Tailor your resume for different roles or clients by emphasizing the most relevant experiences and skills.
Freelance artist resume examples
Top Skills & Keywords for Freelance Artist Resumes
Your freelance artist resume should highlight your creative thinking, time management abilities, and proficiency in art software. Also, add key skills like client relationship management to give potential employers a glimpse of how you handle business dynamics.
Creative thinking
Creative thinking ranks high on the list of skills for freelance artists. It means you can find new ways to solve problems and make your work stand out. It shows potential clients that you think differently.
You can add real value to projects with fresh ideas and unique solutions. Your resume should show times when your creative thinking made a big impact. Use words like ‘imagination’, ‘originality’ and ‘artistic vision‘.
This will help people see how important creative thinking is in your work as an artist.
Proficiency in art software
Knowing how to use art software is a top skill for freelance artists. This fact can’t be overemphasized. Many employers look for this when hiring. The reason? Art software helps you make digital art.
It could be for a website, an app, or other digital media forms. If you are good with such tools, you can create cool logos and brand materials for your clients.
This skill comes in more useful if you make digital or multimedia arts as a freelancer. More so, art software makes it easy to work with other artists and designers on projects. Hence, it’s not something a freelance artist should overlook!
Time management
Time management is a key skill for freelance artists. It shows that you can meet deadlines and finish work on time. This ability includes setting goals, picking the most important tasks, and handling your workload well.
Use words such as “deadline-oriented” or “efficient time manager” to make your resume shine. Bosses like freelancers who are good at managing their time because it means they are dependable and professional.
Client relationship management
Working with clients is a key part of being a freelance artist. It’s about giving them what they need and making sure they are happy. Good client relationship management starts with clear talk.
You need to understand what your client wants and set fair prices for your work.
Meeting deadlines is also vital in this role. Clients want their projects done on time, and without errors. If you can do these things well, you will keep your old clients and win new ones too.
This is how good client relationship management helps a freelance artist’s business grow day by day.
Action Verbs to Include in Your Resume
Action verbs like ‘designed’, ‘illustrated’, ‘created’ and ‘collaborated’ can significantly enhance your freelance artist resume by demonstrating your capabilities in a compelling way.
To see more action verbs you should include, keep reading!
Designed
“Designed” is a strong action word. It shows how you make your own art. You may have designed logos, brands or even web designs. This verb makes your resume stand out. Your use of the word “designed” can show the depth and type of your work to those who read it.
It will give them insight into what you can do as an artist for their business. Use it with real examples from past jobs to grab attention.
Illustrated
“Illustrated” is a power word for any artist’s resume. It shows you can bring ideas to life with your art. Let’s say you worked on a comic book project. You might write, “Illustrated over 50 pages of a top-selling comic book.” This tells employers that you don’t only draw but also complete big projects.
It lets them see the kind of work you do and how well you do it. This action verb shines bright in job applications where drawings turn words into stories or concepts into ads. So, use “illustrated” to show off your skills on your freelance artist resume!
Created
Artists often use the action verb “created”. It shows that they can make new things. This word is good for a resume. Use it to talk about your art work like logos or 3D models. The hiring manager will like this word.
The action verb “created” tells others about your skills as an artist. For example, you could say, “Created digital art for clients.” This sentence talks about what kind of art you made and who you made it for.
You need to show how each project helps reach goals.
Collaborated
As a freelance artist, teamwork plays a big part. The term “collaborated” shows this skill. It paints a picture of working well with others. You may have teamed up with other artists for a project or worked side by side with clients to meet their needs.
Use “collaborated” in your resume to highlight this. This action verb shows that you can build strong ties and work as part of a team when needed. Include it in your experience section for best results.
Explore a wide variety of freelance artist resume examples, including Freelance Artist/Designer, Sr. Freelance Artist, and Jr. Freelance Artist resumes to inspire your own professional document creation.
Freelance Artist/Designer Resume
A Freelance Artist/Designer Resume must grab attention. It needs to show your best art and design work. Your contact info should be easy to find. Next, write a short summary about you.
List your top skills in the skills section. Key ones are creative thinking and time management. Your past jobs go in the professional experience part of your resume. Don’t forget about certificates or degrees you earned! These go in the education area of your resume.
Sr. Freelance Artist Resume
A Sr. Freelance Artist Resume shows the skills and work of a top-level artist. It lists their past art jobs, education, and special training in art. They might have certificates or degrees to show they know about the art field.
They may also use something called the Context-Action-Result (CAR) system on their resume. This tells how they made a big impact as an artist. Employers like it when an artist’s resume is clear and stands out.
They are more likely to call this person for a job or project.
Jr. Freelance Artist Resume
A Jr. Freelance Artist Resume shows the skills and work of a new artist. This person can make original art, such as paintings, drawings, or sculptures. They also know how to think of fresh ideas for clients’ projects.
They show these new ideas in sketches or mock-ups before doing the final artwork. All this information goes into the resume to help them get more work.
Aligning Your Resume with a Job Description
Job postings tell you what a company wants. Use this to make your resume fit better. Read the job ad closely. See what skills they ask for most often. These are key words.
Put these key words in your resume, but don’t lie about having them! Show how you used these skills on past jobs. Did the ad talk about “teamwork” a lot? Talk about when you worked well with others on a project that was important.
Don’t forget to show off any big wins too! Big projects or high praise from clients can help you stand out from the crowd.
More info about freelance resumes
Creating a job-winning resume as a freelance artist involves meticulous organization and presentation of various essential sections to make it stand out. Start with a compelling summary section that highlights your years of experience, technical skills, and significant achievements as a graphic designer or fine artist.
In the education section, detail your relevant academic background, ensuring it aligns with your artistic career. Your work experience should be listed in chronological order, emphasizing freelance work, solo exhibitions, and projects completed for private clients. Use bullet points to make this section easily digestible, focusing on conveying the most relevant information concisely.
In addition to showcasing your work experience, a freelance resume should also include a section dedicated to your technical and soft skills, which are crucial for visual artists. Tailor your resume template to highlight these skills, along with any promotional materials or portfolios that display your versatility and proficiency as an artist.
Including a cover letter is a great way to provide a more personal introduction and context to your professional journey. If crafting a resume seems daunting, consider seeking the expertise of a professional resume writer to ensure that every section of your resume, from contact information to the exhibition history, is polished and reflective of your unique talents and experiences.
Conclusion
Having a great freelance artist resume is key. It shows your skills and work history. Make sure to add all required information properly. This can help you get more job offers!
