When writing your graphic design cover letter, show you can find dynamic ways to present ideas and information to the employer that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills, such as editing images, devising layouts, or engaging with clients. This guide offers cover letter examples and tips for landing your next graphic design position.
Graphic Design Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Graphic Design Cover Letter
A good graphic design cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to the employer and its stated hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, use the same contact header as your resume. This header should include your full name, address, email, phone number, and link to any online portfolio(s). Also, consider including the title graphic designer (or whatever professional title you have in your profile summary) to set a clear focus. Below your header, provide the date and any contact details you know about your recipient.
Example
Jason Robertson
Lead Graphic Designer | [email protected] | (123) 444-5555 | Detroit, MI 48127 | LinkedIn | Portfolio
January 12, 2024
Amy Davidson
Talent Recruiter
Arsenal Design Group
(999) 987-6543
[email protected]
2. Salutation
If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
For traditional job applications, end your salutation line with a colon. But consider a comma instead if you know your recipient or the employer has a casual work culture (sometimes revealed by the job posting). In rare cases, you may also trade out the standard “Dear” for a more casual “Greetings,” “Hello,” “Hi,” or even “Good morning.” Use your discretion and take any cues from the job posting or company website.
Examples
Dear Ms. Davidson:
Dear Arsenal Design Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key qualification the design firm is looking for. Describe a key way you’ve excelled at creating visual concepts and layouts for clients or employers. Then, connect that highlight to your overall approach to integrating text and images in ways that inform, entertain, or persuade an audience.
Example
Last year, I helped create packaging that won a Good Design Award for originality and masterful use of typography. I’d love to apply my innovative thinking and technical expertise to create iconic branding at American Foods.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Use the main section of your cover letter to tell why this graphic design job, project, or employer interests you. What does the role have in common with your background or goals? For instance, maybe it involves design software or typography you’re versed in. Or maybe you identify with the company’s mission and would love to help them engage a wider audience. Also, consider how the work compares to any samples you can point to in your portfolio.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
My current role, the result of two promotions, has allowed me to hone my graphic design skills and gain experience leading junior designers. Given your firm’s emphasis on career development and graphic excellence, I’d be a great fit for its culture and design needs.
Below are three more of my work highlights so far:
- Developed the well-received graphical elements used by the Atlanta Zoo in its 2019 rebranding campaign
- Trained and developed four entry-level graphic designers into high performers
- Mastered several graphic design programs, including those in the Adobe suite
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their attention. Consider briefly restating your skills and eagerness to support the company or client’s design needs. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I’d appreciate the chance to discuss my graphic design skills and managerial style in more detail. Please let me know when is most convenient for you. Thank you for your time. I look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Jason Robertson
Graphic Design Cover Letter Tips
1. Emphasize your pertinent traits
Employers like graphic designers to be perceptive, inventive, efficient, tech-savvy, and collaborative. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
Example
Some of my past achievements include:
- Effectively motivating and directing design teams to consistently meet deadlines and exceed expectations.
- Partnering with clients to cut costs by an average of 17%.
- Building expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, and a range of other design, video, and multimedia software.
2. Network
Whenever you can, start your letter by citing any personal or professional connections you have with the hiring manager. If someone at the organization alerted you to the job, use a line like “I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [Company]’s new graphic design position.” Even better if you’ve already met your recipient – mention that with a line like “It was great speaking with you at the job fair last week.”
3. Feature any design awards
If you’ve won any awards or competitions in your field, make them a prominent part of your cover letter. Honors like these serve as an endorsement of your skill at expressing ideas and information visually. If you haven’t won any awards yet, consider quoting reviews or testimonials from past clients as another way to prove your design success.
Example
Over my seven years as a graphic designer, my proudest achievement was winning the 2023 Butterfly Graphic Design Competition. I have long admired Arsenal Design Group from afar — after all, its designers have won the competition mentioned above several times.
Graphic Design Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Jason Robertson
Lead Graphic Designer | [email protected] | (123) 444-5555 | Detroit, MI 48127 | LinkedIn | Portfolio
February 12, 2024
Amy Davidson
Talent Recruiter
Arsenal Design Group
(999) 987-6543
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Davidson,
Over my seven years as a graphic designer, my proudest achievement was winning the 2023 Butterfly Graphic Design Competition. I have long admired Arsenal Design Group from afar — after all, its designers have won the competition mentioned above several times.
My current role, the result of two promotions, has allowed me to hone my graphic design skills and gain experience leading junior designers. Given your firm’s emphasis on career development and graphic excellence, I’d be a great fit for its culture and design needs.
Below are three more of my work highlights so far:
- Developed the well-received graphical elements used by the Atlanta Zoo in its 2019 rebranding campaign
- Trained and developed four entry-level graphic designers into high performers
- Mastered several graphic design programs, including those in the Adobe suite
I’d appreciate the chance to discuss my graphic design skills and managerial style in more detail. Please let me know when is most convenient for you. Thank you for your time. I look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Jason Robertson
Graphic Design Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to use templates as a graphic designer? -
Yes. Even in your creative field, a cover letter is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted that way. Feel free to use a template if it helps you keep your letter simple and focused on your career details. But also consider adding borders, shading, or other subtle effects that hint at your design expertise and correspond with your chosen resume style.
How long should my cover letter be? -
No more than one page, or around 250 words. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story, even if you have an extensive background in graphic design. Give just enough detail to intrigue hiring managers, so they take a closer look at your resume or online portfolio.
What’s the difference between a resume and a cover letter?-
A resume may show you’re qualified for the job, but a cover letter shows you want it. More than repeating resume points, your cover letter should explain why the job caught your eye or why the organization strikes you as a great fit, setting the stage for a positive interview. In this way, a good cover letter sharpens your application by letting you say directly what your resume can only indicate.
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