Designing requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of how all those details come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Designers solve problems with their creativity, intuition, and technical know-how—making them invaluable assets in any company!

That's why recruiters like to see the verb 'designed' in your resume—it indicates that you have the skills to make something happen and not just talk about it. But, when writing your resume, it's important to use synonyms to avoid repeating the same word too many times. Repeating the same word can make it seem like you are trying to cram in more information than necessary.

Instead of 'designed,' try using other words that mean roughly the same thing: 'created,' 'developed,' or 'conceptualized.' These power verbs can all be used interchangeably on your resume and help prevent repetition.

Using synonyms will make your resume more engaging and persuasive. The more descriptive and engaging your resume is, the more likely it is that your resume will be read in its entirety by the recruiter.

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

Resume Synonyms for Designed:

Transformed
Revitalized
Reshaped
Reconstructed
Expedited
Overhauled
Restructured
Modernized
Synthesized
Refine
Orchestrated
Consolidated
Inculcated
Fostered
Navigated
Spearheaded
Pioneered
Developed
Formulated
Optimized
Broadened
Expanded
Amplified
Extended
Widened
Grew
Evolved
Advanced
Heightened
Enhanced
Magnified
Maximized
Enlarged
Inflated
Multiplied
Tripled
Effected
Introduced
Innovated
Invented

How to replace Designed with a stronger action verb:

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

Before: Weak example using Designed

• Designed new data integration processes to reduce data latency

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Streamlined data integration processes and standardized data feeds across systems, reducing data latency from 15 days to 1 day..

Replacing Designed with Transformed ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed a new timeline for product roll-outs

⤸

After: Transformed• Transformed the product roll-out process, shortening the timeline by 3 months, which increased product market availability by 30% annually.

Transformed clearly tells the reader that you innovated and made changes. I added a measurable impact (shortened timeline by 3 months) and the result of that impact (increase in product market availability) to showcase the effect of the transformation.

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 Designed with Revitalized ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the company’s digital marketing strategy

⤸

After: Revitalized• Revitalized the company's digital marketing strategy to leverage new online platforms, achieving a 25% increase in lead generation within 6 months.

Instead of vaguely stating you 'designed a strategy', using the verb Revitalized gives a clear picture of improvement, innovation, and the end result of your actions. The result had a quantitative metric tied to it, providing evidence of your success.

Replacing Designed with Reshaped ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed our customer support process

⤸

After: Reshaped• Reshaped our customer support process to improve response times resulting in a 40% decrease in customer complaints within one year.

The word 'reshaped' suggests robust and concrete changes. It gives this resume bullet point a sense of interactivity and proactivity, unlike 'designed'. The metrics used (response times decrease, decrease in complaints) highlight your significant contributions.

Replacing Designed with Reconstructed ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed outdated employee training material

⤸

After: Reconstructed• Reconstructed outdated employee training material, incorporating modern educational techniques that boosted knowledge retention by 50%.

Reconstructed is an active, powerful word that implies noticeable improvements. The 50% boost in knowledge retention shows that you understand how to measure the success of your initiatives.

Replacing Designed with Expedited ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the sales order process

⤸

After: Expedited• Expedited the sales order process, by automating key steps, reducing average order completion time by 2 hours.

The word 'expedited' immediately implies that you had a critical role and made significant improvements. The specific measurement (reduced completion time by 2 hours) adds the proof of your achievement.

Replacing Designed with Overhauled ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the company newsletter

⤸

After: Overhauled• Overhauled the company newsletter leading to a 10% increase in readership engagement in 4 months.

The verb 'overhauled' suggests drastic positive changes. It is critical to include tangible, measurable results to show that your overhaul resulted in improved engagement.

Replacing Designed with Restructured ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed a supply chain

⤸

After: Restructured• Restructured the supply chain leading to a 25% reduction in delivery times and saving the company $500,000 annually.

Restructured combines the idea of changes and improvement. By providing the specific impact of your restructuring (reduced delivery times, saved thousands), you clearly prove your capabilities.

Replacing Designed with Modernized ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the employee onboarding process

⤸

After: Modernized• Modernized the employee onboarding process, reducing training time by 40% and decreasing new hire turnover by 25% in the first quarter.

Modernized is a specific term that implies a move from something outdated to an improved version. The metrics added here show the quantifiable outcomes of your efforts.

Replacing Designed with Synthesized ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed a budget plan

⤸

After: Synthesized• Synthesized a comprehensive budget plan, driving a $3 million cost reduction in 2 years through strategic expense management.

Synthesized suggests that you gathered and understood complex information to produce something useful. The specific measurable impact shows your positive contribution to the company.

Replacing Designed with Refine ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the client management system

⤸

After: Refine• Refined the client management system, reducing data entry errors by 35% and improving client satisfaction scores by 20% within six months.

The term 'refined' signifies you made improvements and made the system more effective. The tangible metrics indicate your direct impact on the company.

Replacing Designed with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the project management methodology

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated a robust project management methodology that cut project overruns by 32% in the first year of implementation.

The term 'orchestrated' powerfully conveys that you've not only created or improved something but also successfully managed its execution. Additionally, the specific numbers provided lends credibility to the claimed achievement.

Replacing Designed with Consolidated ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the approval process

⤸

After: Consolidated• Consolidated the approval process, which decreased process time by 35% and secured a 15% increase in efficiency across various departments.

The word 'consolidated' carries a strong sense of resourcefulness and expertise. It shows that you are not just designing processes, but improving and optimizing them. The given metrics lay clear evidence of your success.

Replacing Designed with Inculcated ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the team reporting structure

⤸

After: Inculcated• Inculcated a dynamic team reporting structure that bolstered inter-departmental communication and reduced miscommunication errors by 70% within six months.

'Inculcated' sends across the message that you possess the ability to introduce new beneficial systems and ensure their acceptance. The metrics given accurately highlight the consequence of your endeavours.

Replacing Designed with Fostered ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the organizational culture guidelines

⤸

After: Fostered• Fostered the organizational culture guidelines resulting in a 40% increase in employee engagement and a 20% reduction in turnover in the first year.

The term 'fostered' sets across the impression of nurturing and development. By adding specific metrics (increase in engagement, reduction in turnover), you provide assurance of your instrumental role and its positive outcomes.

Replacing Designed with Navigated ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the performance measurable indicators

⤸

After: Navigated• Navigated the implementation of performance measurable indicators that increased goal attainment by 60% and enhanced overall productivity by 40% in the initial quarter.

The term 'navigated' exudes strong leadership and maneuvering skills. Adding metrics related to your outcome (increase in goal attainment, enhanced productivity) underscores your role's significance.

Replacing Designed with Spearheaded ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the marketing campaign

⤸

After: Spearheaded• Spearheaded a comprehensive marketing campaign that drove a 150% increase in website traffic and a 30% increase in product sales in the first quarter.

'Spearheaded' implies strong and purposeful leadership. Attaching high-impact outcomes (increase website traffic, raise in product sales) endorses the effectiveness of your drive and its profitable outcomes.

Replacing Designed with Pioneered ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the inventory management system

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered a robust inventory management system cutting down excess inventory storage costs by 60% and reduced stockouts by 50% within four months.

The term 'pioneered' communicates a sense of innovation and leadership. The measurable impact (cut costs, reduced stockouts) verifies your direct contributions.

Replacing Designed with Developed ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed the client service model

⤸

After: Developed• Developed a client service model that improved client retention by 50% and increased client referrals by 35% in the first half of the year.

'Developed' reflects your active role in the design and implementation process. Adding the specific impact metrics (improved client retention, increased client referrals) showcases the value you brought to the company.

Replacing Designed with Formulated ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed an effective HR policy

⤸

After: Formulated• Formulated an effective HR policy which decreased the hiring cycle by 30% and reduced hiring costs by $20,000 in the first year.

The word 'formulated' offers a more active, hands-on vibe. The quantifiable results (decreased hiring cycle, reduced hiring costs) endorse the beneficial impacts of your actions.

Replacing Designed with Optimized ▾

Before: Designed

• Designed new scheduling system for employees

⤸

After: Optimized• Optimized the new scheduling system for employees, reducing scheduling conflicts by 90%, saving 20 hours of management time each week.

The term 'optimized' conveys improvement and efficiency - a step above simple design. Attaching a metric (reducing conflicts, saving management time) to the new system illustrates real, concrete results.

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 Designed.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led interview campaign with existing customers (300+ person survey, 40+ face-to-face discussions) to formulate requirements of a new product to help couples manage their expenses; outputs directly impacted product roadmap.

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 Overhauled on a resume:

• Overhauled the company's website by increasing graphics usage by 50% and mobile responsiveness by 100%; generated 70% more leads via email capture forms, reduced bounce rate by 20%.

How to use Delivered on a resume:

• Delivered product solutions to institutional and corporate clients; grew customer base by +25% in Europe.

How to use Promoted on a resume:

• Promoted within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact - ahead of schedule by 12 months.

How to use Developed on a resume:

• Developed an iPhone app to help medical professionals measure the insulin needs of patients with diabetes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Designed on a resume?

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

Tripled
Grew
Magnified
Effected
Expanded
Amplified

What are other words for Designed on a resume?

If you're looking for another word to use in place of Designed, consider using one of these stronger alternatives:

Advanced
Tripled
Introduced
Amplified
Enhanced
Grew

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

Hiring managers are unnecessarily picky when it comes to resumes, and it's hard to know what they want to see. That's why you should upload your resume to the free resume checker below. It'll check your bullet points and identify any mistakes on your resume that recruiters specifically look out for.

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