Today, organizations constantly look for new ways to solve problems and improve processes. As a result, the ability to design is essential for success. So, when hiring managers see the action verb 'design' in your resume, they'll know that you can think creatively about how products or services should be created—and that these ideas could help their business improve its performance.

But, when you read a document, your brain tends to gloss over words that are not new or interesting. So if you're using the word 'design' many times in your resume, it's likely that you'll not get credit for it when recruiters scan your resume. Moreover, it's best to use the past tense of the action verb in your bullet points unless that role is ongoing.

To fix this, switch the word 'design' with synonyms such as 'revolutionized,' 'strategized,' and 'masterminded.' Using synonyms enables you to show what you've done without sounding repetitive and helps you get more credit for your accomplishments.

Employers are looking for fresh and exciting candidates to fill open positions. By using synonyms on your resume, you can show that you have a creative mind and aren't afraid of being different from the crowd.

I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Design on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).

Resume Synonyms for Design:

Engineered
Devised
Forged
Constructed
Formulated
Initiated
Orchestrated
Pioneered
Spearheaded
Transformed
Implemented
Coordinated
Revamped
Re-engineered
Launched
Calculated
Accomplished
Framed
Mapped
Shaped
Strategized
Planned
Projected
Devised
Contrived
Charted
Arranged
Outlined
Conceived
Envisioned
Proposed
Invented
Improvised
Revolutionized
Masterminded

How to replace Design with a stronger action verb:

Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Design, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.

Before: Weak example using Design

• Designed reusable assets to save time

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Created reusable components like an authentication module, which reduced monthly development cost by $22K .

Replacing Design with Engineered ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a new marketing strategy

⤸

After: Engineered• Engineered a proven marketing strategy that increased company's market share by 12% within six months

In the revised version, I used 'Engineered' instead of 'Designed' to portray a more impactful role. I also quantified the achievement with a specific metric, hence demonstrating the candidate’s significant contribution.

Tip: I've prepared a ton of additional examples for you to give you inspiration. Please click on any of the following to expand and see real examples of how I've rewritten client bullet points.

Replacing Design with Devised ▾

Before: Design

• Designed and implemented productivity measures

⤸

After: Devised• Devised unique productivity measures that improved output by 23%, earning 'Top Performer' award

To communicate the candidate's initiative, I replaced 'Designed' with 'Devised'. Including the outcome and recognition received provides concrete proof of success.

Replacing Design with Forged ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a staff rotation system

⤸

After: Forged• Forged an effective staff rotation system that reduced staff turnover by 18% in a year

In this change, I chose 'Forged' to highlight the candidate’s active involvement. Including a metric demonstrates the effectiveness of this initiative on staff retention.

Replacing Design with Constructed ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a new onboarding process

⤸

After: Constructed• Constructed an engaging onboarding process, which reduced new hire training time by 30%

By changing 'Designed' to 'Constructed', it gives the sense of careful development. Adding a specific metric showcases tangible impact and outlines efficiency gains.

Replacing Design with Formulated ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a new IT security policy

⤸

After: Formulated• I formulated a robust IT security policy, thereby warding off cyber threats and reducing breaches by 40%

In this revision, 'Formulated' replaces 'Designed' to stress the strategic aspect of the task. Quantifying the reduction in breaches reinforces the efficacy of the policy.

Replacing Design with Initiated ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a strategy to reduce costs

⤸

After: Initiated• Initiated a cost-saving strategy that generated savings of $1.2M over 2 years

I utilized 'Initiated' to highlight proactive efforts. The added metrics underline the candidate’s financial impact, thus making this point more compelling.

Replacing Design with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a client satisfaction survey

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated a comprehensive client satisfaction survey, leading to a 15% improvement in client retention rates

Using 'Orchestrated' instead of 'Designed' projects a strategic role. Including the impact on retention rates quantifies value in terms of increased client loyalty.

Replacing Design with Pioneered ▾

Before: Design

• Designed an innovative sales approach

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered a data-driven sales approach, raising quarterly sales by $500K

Choosing the action verb 'Pioneered' elaborates on the candidate’s innovative capacity. Adding specific achievements makes the point more persuasive and impactful.

Replacing Design with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Design

• Designed and led a new project

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded a crucial project that expanded the company's market reach by 10% and generated $2M in revenue

For this revision, 'Spearheaded' replaces 'Designed' to emphasis leadership. Providing specific results with metrics completes the story and underlines the candidate's impact.

Replacing Design with Transformed ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a new process to improve efficiency

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed dated operation systems with an agile process, accelerating productivity by 35%

The word 'Transformed' implies a broader and more significant change than 'Designed'. The measurable outcome gives weight to the candidate's claim of positive impact.

Replacing Design with Implemented ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a new employee incentive program

⤸

After: Implemented• Implemented a competitive incentive program, boosting employee morale that led to a 20% increase in team productivity

By changing 'Designed' to 'Implemented', we emphasize the candidate's ability to carry out initiatives. We've also added a numerical value to demonstrate the improvement in team productivity.

Replacing Design with Coordinated ▾

Before: Design

• Designed the company’s annual training program

⤸

After: Coordinated• Coordinated a comprehensive annual training program, enhancing employee competencies by 30%

I replaced 'Designed' with 'Coordinated' to suggest managerial skills. The outcome shows how the candidate improved the workforce competence.

Replacing Design with Revamped ▾

Before: Design

• Designed the monthly company newsletter

⤸

After: Revamped• Revamped the company newsletter format, resulting in a 25% increase in employee engagement and readership

‘Revamped’ is chosen to show major development. The improvement is then quantified and expressed as an increase in readership, emphasizing the candidate's direct impact.

Replacing Design with Re-engineered ▾

Before: Design

• Designed workflow processes for the team

⤸

After: Re-engineered• Re-engineered team workflows leading to a 50% increase in project completion rate and a commendation from the team lead

‘Re-engineered’ was chosen as it portrays major improvement, not just creation. Quantifying the increase in project completion showcases the effectiveness of the candidate's efforts.

Replacing Design with Launched ▾

Before: Design

• Designed a new product range

⤸

After: Launched• Launched a new product range, which became the company’s best-seller, contributing 20% of annual sales

I used the word 'Launched' to express taking action. Adding the result of this action put the candidate’s achievement into context and demonstrates significant business impact.

How to use these synonyms in practice

We've put together an infographic to give you more examples of how to put this into practice. Note the use of strong action verbs instead of words like Design.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Performed on a resume:

• Performed DCF analysis to evaluate offers for company's sell-side process; qualitative offer comparison and quantitative model outputs were shared directly with client's senior management team.

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led 2 business analysts to automate repetitive process flows using Excel Macros / VBA and reduce analysis time by 10+ hours per week.

How to use Liaised on a resume:

• Liaised with marketing to drive email and social media advertising efforts, using predictive modeling and clustering, resulting in a 35% increase in revenue.

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed a prototype to identify key influencers on Twitter using clustering techniques over 100,000 data points in Python.

How to use Enabled on a resume:

• Enabled integration with existing systems by creating tool that extracts metadata from images and provides metadata to a system-wide search database..

How to use Formulated on a resume:

• Formulated implementation plans for transactions in collaboration with senior members of trading, sales, compliance and legal teams; generated annual profits of $10+ million.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Design on a resume?

Synonyms you can use instead of the overused phrase Design include:

Conceived
Accomplished
Charted
Envisioned
Revolutionized
Proposed

What are other words for Design on a resume?

Here are some synonyms for commonly repeated words, like Design, I see on resumes:

Improvised
Invented
Shaped
Calculated
Framed
Envisioned

Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.

Want to know what's holding your resume back? Upload your resume to the tool below. You'll get a report outlining what you did well, and what you need to improve.

Related resume examples

Architecture

Architect / Architecture

Architect resume showcasing software proficiency and sustainable design experience.

Go To Download Page

Architectural Intern/ Entry Level Architect

A resume for an entry level architect with a bachelors degree in architecture and experience as a interior designer.

Go To Download Page

Architectural Project Manager

Go To Download Page

Architectural Designer

Go To Download Page

Landscape Architect

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Architecture Resume Guide or Architecture CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Digital Marketing

Email Marketing Specialist

Go To Download Page

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Go To Download Page

Digital Marketing Intern

Go To Download Page

Entry Level Digital Marketing

Go To Download Page

Digital Marketing Manager

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Digital Marketing Resume Guide or Digital Marketing CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Go To Download Page

Junior Mechanical Engineer

A resuem for a junior mechnanical engineer with a master's degree engineering and experience as a mechnical engineer intern.

Go To Download Page

Mechanical Design Engineer

Go To Download Page

Mechanical Engineer

Go To Download Page

Experienced Mechanical Engineer

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Mechanical Engineer Resume Guide or Mechanical Engineer CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Get a free resume review

Get expert feedback on your resume, instantly. Our free AI-powered resume checker scores your resume on key criteria recruiters and hiring managers look for. Get actionable steps to revamp your resume and land more interviews.

Upload Resume

Jump to another phrase