Design Resume Keywords and Skills (Hard Skills)

Here are the keywords and skills that appear most frequently on recent Design job postings. In other words, these are the most sought after skills by recruiters and hiring managers. So try to include them on your resume where possible. Go to the Sample Templates ↓ below to see how to include them on your resume.

Remember that every job is different. Instead of including all these keywords on your resume, identify the keywords most relevant to the job you're applying to and include those. Use the free Targeted Resume tool to help with this.

Choose a category
  • Graphic Design
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Logo Design
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Graphics
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  •  Find out what your resume's missing
  • Web Design
  • Photography
  • Illustration
  • Page Layout
  • Advertising
  • Video Editing
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Typography
  • After Effects
  • Brochures
  • Poster Design
  • Branding
  • Design
  • AutoCAD
  • Engineering
  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
  • SOLIDWORKS
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Design Engineering
  • Siemens NX
  • Project Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Microsoft Access
  • Structural Analysis
  • MATLAB
  • Construction
  • Project Management
  • Design for Manufacturing
  • Product Development
  • Revit
  • Product Design
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
  • WordPress
  • Web Development
  • HTML5
  • HTML
  • Responsive Web Design
  • User Interface Design
  • JavaScript
  • Bootstrap
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • PHP
  • Dreamweaver
  • User Experience (UX)
  • Interior Design
  • SketchUp
  • V-Ray
  • Furniture
  • Space Planning
  • Furnishings
  • Interior Architecture
  • Decoration
  • Architecture
  • Architectural Design
  • Customer Service
  • Custom Furniture
  • CorelDRAW
  • Sketching
  • Design Management
  • PTC Creo
  • Project Planning
  • Trend Analysis
  • Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
  • Art Direction
  • Concept Development
  • Brand Development
  • Branding & Identity
  • Design Strategy
  • Experience Design
  • Interaction Design
  • Design Research
  • Instructional Design
  • Articulate Storyline
  • E-Learning
  • Captivate
  • Learning Management Systems
  • ADDIE
  • Camtasia
  • Blended Learning
  • Instructor-led Training
  • Curriculum Development
  • Learning Management
  • Adult Education
  • Adult Learning Theory
  • Educational Technology
  • Needs Analysis
  • Distance Learning
  • Training Delivery
  • Training & Development
  • SnagIt
  • Storyboarding
  • Software Development
  • Software Design
  • Linux
  • C++
  • Embedded Software
  • Embedded Systems
  • C (Programming Language)
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Java
  • Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP)
  • ClearCase
  • Unix
  • Telecommunications
  • Testing
  • Git
  • Object Oriented Design
  • Internet Protocol (IP)
  • Integration
  • Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
  • Eclipse
  • Design Thinking
  • User Experience Design (UED)
  • Visual Design
  • Wireframing
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Solid Edge
  • CATIA
  • Technical Drawing
  • 3D Modeling
  • Automation
  • AutoCAD Mechanical
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Prototyping
  • Usability Testing
  • Sketch App
  • User-centered Design
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • InVision
  • Information Architecture
  • UX Research
  • Industrial Design
  • Keyshot
  • Rendering
  • Rhino 3D
  • Concept Generation
  • Concept Art
  • Submittals
  • Sustainable Design
  • Construction Drawings
  • Architectural Drawings
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM)
  • AutoCAD Architecture
  • Residential Design
  • CAD/CAM
  • Navisworks
  • MicroStation
  • 3D Printing
  • Construction Management
  •   Show full list

Resume Skills: Design Tools

  • Adobe XD
  • Figma
  • Sketch
  • Slack
  • Jira
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
  • Marvel
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Procreate
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Illustrator
  • Photoshop
  • InDesign
  • After Effects
  • Premiere Pro
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • InVision
  • Trello
  • Asana
  • Agile
  • Scrum
  • Kanban
  • Axure
  • Balsamiq
  • XD
  •  Match your resume to these skills

Resume Skills: Web Technologies

Resume Skills: Prototyping Tools

Resume Skills: Project Management

Resume Skills: Front-End Frameworks

Resume Skills: Back-End Technologies

Resume Skills: Programming

Resume Skills: Branding

Resume Skills: Brand Development

Resume Skills: Technical

Resume Skills: Languages

Resume Skills: Motion Graphics & 3D Modelling

Resume Skills: UX Techniques

  Does your resume contain all the right skills? Paste in your resume in the AI Resume Scan ↓ section below and get an instant score.

Compare Your Resume To These Design Skills (ATS Scan)

Paste your resume below and our AI will identify which keywords are missing from your resume from the list above (and what you need to include). Including the right keywords will help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (i.e. resume screeners) which may scan your resume for keywords to see if you're a match for the job.

Sample Design Resume: How To Include These Skills

Add keywords directly into your resume's work experiences, education or Skills section, like we've shown in the examples below. Use the examples below as inspiration.

Choose a template
Your Name
Design Professional
City, Country  •  (123) 456-789  •  [email protected]  •  linkedin.com/in/your-profile
EXPERIENCE
Resume Worded April 2020 - Present
Lead Graphic Designer
Directed a team of 5 designers for creating visually appealing and on-brand graphics for a diverse array of media, resulting in a 35% increase in media engagement
Devised layout aesthetics for marketing and advertising materials including infographics and banners using Adobe InDesign
Managed creative projects from concept to completion, leading to a 20% increase in project efficiency
Conducted in-depth consumer and market trend analyses which informed design strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in brand loyalty
Revised and perfected design concepts based on feedback, leading to a 25% leap in customer satisfaction
Amazon June 2017 - March 2020
Senior Graphic Designer
Transfigured complex product information into simplified infographics resulting in a 30% uptick in product understanding
Planned and produced advertising materials that aligns with branding objectives, increasing ROI by 20%
Crafted impactful design solutions using Adobe Creative Suite meeting tight deadlines and budgets
Coached.com March 2015 - May 2017
Graphic Designer
Designed and executed print, web and digital campaigns that resulted in a 20% growth in organic traffic
Generated stunning visual content for marketing collateral utilizing Adobe Photoshop
Collaborated with art and product teams to ensure aesthetic quality and strategic branding goals were met
EDUCATION
Resume Worded University March 2015
Master of Fine Arts - Graphic Design
Specialization in Interactive Design
Resume Worded Academic Center April 2017
Certification in UX Design
Completed while in the position of Senior Graphic Designer at Amazon
SKILLS
Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Sketch, Figma, Marvel
Prototyping Tools: InVision, Proto.io, Adobe XD, Origami
Programming: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML
Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Slack, Trello
OTHER
Certifications: Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) - Illustrator CC, Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) - Photoshop CC, Google UX Design Certificate
Leadership & Volunteering: Co-organizer of Local Design Meetups, Volunteer Graphic Designer for a Non-Profit Organization
Awards: Winner - A'Design Award in the Graphics and Advertising Design category (2020), Finalist - International Design Awards in the Print category (2016)
Projects: Rebranding project for Resume Worded, Creation of new user interface for mobile application of Coached.com
Your Name
Brand Designer
City, Country  •  (123) 456-789  •  [email protected]  •  linkedin.com/in/your-profile
EXPERIENCE
Resume Worded August 2019 - Present
Senior Brand Designer
Oversaw brand identity and managed all design elements, resulting in a consistently represented visual style
Piloted the redesign initiative of the corporate logo that sparked a 25% increase in brand recognition
Implemented Adobe Illustrator to design visual concepts for both print and digital platforms, leading to a 30% increase in audience engagement
Established guidelines for design, layout and formatting techniques, increasing team productivity by15%
Executed design proofs and revised based on input, elevating customer satisfaction rate by 20%
Google December 2016 - July 2019
Brand Designer
Developed a stronger brand identity by initiating a comprehensive rebranding process, resulting in a 15% increase in online visibility
Utilized Adobe Creative Suite to design print and digital elements that consistently reflected brand values
Collaborated closely with the marketing team to produce compelling marketing and advertising materials
Adopted design strategies to best reflect company vision, leading to a 10% growth in market share
Coached.com January 2015 - November 2016
Junior Brand Designer
Assisted in maintaining a consistent brand image across various outlets, contributing to a 10% increase in brand consistency
Developed digital and print designs utilizing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Contributed to the creation and launch of successful promotional campaigns aligning with brand standards
EDUCATION
Resume Worded Institute December 2014
Master of Fine Arts - Brand Design
Emphasis on Contemporary Brand Strategies
Resume Worded University May 2013
Bachelor's Degree - Graphic Design
Courses: Typography, Design Theory, Branding and Marketing
Awards: Resume Worded Merit Scholarship, Dean's List 2012
SKILLS
Design Software: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Figma, Sketch, Procreate
Brand Development: Identity Design, Art Direction, Typography, Illustration, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI) Design
Technical Skills: HTML, CSS, Basic Javascript, WordPress, SEO
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Fluent), French (Conversational)
OTHER
Certifications: Google Certified Professional - Brand Design (2017), Certified Adobe Illustrator Expert
Awards: AIGA Design Excellence Award (2018), GDUSA Graphic Design Award (2020)
Volunteering: Mentor for Young Designers Group, Volunteer Designer at the Local Animal Shelter
Projects: Designed Logo and Branding for StartUp467, Art Director for DesignConference2020
Your Name
Website Designer
City, Country  •  (123) 456-789  •  [email protected]  •  linkedin.com/in/your-profile
EXPERIENCE
Resume Worded July 2021 - Present
Web Design Manager
Led and supervised a team of innovative designers in creating professional and engaging web design, providing a 30% boost in user activity
Applied advanced mastery of Adobe Creative Suite to design and optimize aesthetically appealing website interfaces
Monitored UX design and suggested improvements, leading to a 20% increase in user engagement
Enhanced website functionality and improved on SEO, resulting in a 35% increase in organic traffic
Managed and coordinated graphic design projects from concept through completion
Microsoft February 2018 - June 2021
Senior Web Designer
Helped establish style guidelines and standards for texts and graphics that maintained brand consistency
Skillfully designed page layouts using Adobe InDesign, optimizing the user interface experience
Created web design solutions that drove business expansion and increased website traffic by 25%
Coached.com July 2015 - January 2018
Web Designer
Designed web layouts using graphic design and web development software, leading to a 15% increase in user accessibility
Contributed to creative brainstorms and ideation for new website features
Collaborated with a cross-functional team to ensure consistency of design across all platforms
EDUCATION
Resume Worded Institute June 2015
Master of Science - Computer Science
Specialization in Web Design and Development
Resume Worded University May 2013
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
Major in Web Development
Recognition: Dean's List 2011 and 2012 (Top 5%)
SKILLS
Web Development Languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, PHP
Front-End Frameworks: ReactJS, VueJS, AngularJS, Bootstrap
Back-End Technologies: Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails
Design and Collaboration Tools: Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, Slack, Jira
OTHER
Certifications: Certified User Experience (UX) Designer, Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Adobe XD
Projects: Redesigned company website at Coached.com resulting in 50% increase in customer engagement
Awards: Microsoft Bravo Award, 2019 for exceptional design of the customer portal
Volunteering: Website designer for local non-profit organization, Charity Helpers, 2016 - Present
Your Name
UX/UI Designer
City, Country  •  (123) 456-789  •  [email protected]  •  linkedin.com/in/your-profile
EXPERIENCE
Resume Worded October 2018 - Present
UI/UX Design Lead
Spearheaded UX design in alignment with user, business, and marketing goals, increasing user login by 45%
Applied expert knowledge of Adobe Illustrator to refine UI design, leading to a 40% increase in user satisfaction
Conducted user testing, and interpreted user feedback into design solutions, improving user retention by 30%
Supervised design across multiple platforms to ensure consistent brand experience
Developed design comprehensively, from concept through live action, accelerating team production by 25%
Facebook June 2016 - September 2018
Senior UX/UI Designer
Influenced significant UX/UI design improvements that drove 35% rise in user satisfaction
Employed Adobe Creative Suite for concept development, resulting in enhanced aesthetics and usability
Mentored junior designers, fostering a collaborative design environment
Coached.com January 2013 - May 2016
UX/UI Designer
Devised user-centered design methodologies to create intuitive and effective design solutions
Conducted usability testing, optimized design and functionality accordingly
Worked closely with developers to ensure precise implementation of UI design
EDUCATION
Resume Worded Institute May 2012
Master of Science (MS) - User Experience Design
Specializations: Interaction Design & User-Centered Design
Resume Worded University May 2007
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
Minors: Computer Science & Visual Arts
Awards: Dean's List recipient for 4 consecutive years
SKILLS
Design Tools: Photoshop, Illustrator, InVision, Sketch, Figma, Axure, Balsamiq, Marvel, XD
Programming: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, TypeScript, XML, AJAX, JSON
UX Techniques: User Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Prototyping, Heuristic Evaluation
Collaboration & Project Management: Slack, Trello, Asana, Jira, Agile, Scrum, Kanban
OTHER
Certifications: Certified UX Designer by the Interaction Design Foundation (2016)
Leadership & Volunteering: Board Member of the User Experience Professional Association (UXPA), Volunteer Design Mentor at DesignLab
Projects: Designed an interactive e-commerce website for a startup, leading to a 30% increase in conversion rate
Awards: Winner of Adobe's Creative Jam Competition (2017), 'Best UX/UI Design' Award at Facebook 2018
Your Name
Creative Director
City, Country  •  (123) 456-789  •  [email protected]  •  linkedin.com/in/your-profile
EXPERIENCE
Resume Worded May 2019 - Present
Chief Creative Officer
Directed a robust creative team leading to an upswing in team productivity by 40%
Oversaw comprehensive advertising campaigns that increased brand visibility by 50%
Spearheaded the conceptualization and execution of theme-based marketing approaches that bolstered client transactions by 30%
Negotiated strategic partnerships with vendors to grow advertising capabilities
Administered brand identity across all platforms, ensuring consistency and excellence
ABC Designs June 2010 - April 2019
Creative Director
Developed creative strategy that resulted in a 35% increase in brand awareness
Conceptualized and supervised advertising campaigns that led to a 20% growth in lead generation
Directed creative aspects of sales and marketing materials aligning with company mission and brand guidelines
Coached.com February 2007 - May 2010
Art Director
Led teams of designers to develop and execute creative work, increasing productivity by 20%
Cultivated an understanding of brand standards in the team, ensuring brand consistency
Managed and coordinated art and graphics projects, meeting strict deadlines and budgets
EDUCATION
Resume Worded Academic Center June 2007
Master's Degree in Visual Communications
Specialization in Branding and Advertising
Resume Worded University May 2003
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Internship: Graphic Design Intern, Great Designs Co. (January 2002 - August 2002)
SKILLS
Design Softwares: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Sketch, Figma, InVision
Web Technologies: HTML, CSS, Javascript, WordPress, Joomla, Bootstrap
Project Management: Trello, Jira, Asana, Slack
Branding: Conceptualizing, Strategizing, Positioning, Messaging
OTHER
Certifications: Certified Professional in Adobe Creative Suite, Certified UX Designer from Interaction Design Foundation
Leadership & Volunteering: Mentor at Creative Minds, Non-Profit Organization (June 2014 - Present), Board Member at Design Forward Initiative (June 2011 - May 2019)
Projects: Creative Lead in rebranding project for XYZ Corp leading to a 30% increase in brand awareness, Oversaw website redesign for ABC Corp resulting in 45% traffic increase
Your Name
Motion Graphics Designer
City, Country  •  (123) 456-789  •  [email protected]  •  linkedin.com/in/your-profile
EXPERIENCE
Resume Worded January 2020 - Present
Motion Graphics Manager
Managed a creative team to produce motion graphics and digital video production, leading to a 25% increase in video views
Effectively leveraged Adobe After Effects to create dynamic visuals and animations for video content
Cultivated client relationships and developed motion graphic concepts aligned with their visions
Succeeded in reducing video production time by 15% through efficient management
Oversaw the successful launch of new video marketing strategies leading to a 20% boost in click rates
Netflix July 2014 - December 2019
Senior Motion Graphic Designer
Created compelling broadcast and digital video content that increased viewer retention by 20%
Mastered advanced skills in Adobe Premiere Pro to edit video content and boost production
Worked on high-profile animation projects, resulting in increased recognition for the brand
Coached.com May 2010 - June 2014
Motion Graphics Designer
Crafted digital animations for video material, contributing to successful marketing campaigns
Assisted in video editing process using Adobe Premiere Pro, ensuring efficient production workflow
Collaborated with design team to generate striking animations consistent with brand values
EDUCATION
Resume Worded University June 2010
Master of Fine Art - Animation & Visual Effects
Distinction: Graduated Summa Cum Laude (Top 5%)
Resume Worded Academic Center May 2008
Bachelor of Science - Graphic Design
Emphasis in Interactive Design and Digital Illustration
Awards: Resume Worded Scholar (2008), Dean's List 2007 & 2008 (Top 10%)
SKILLS
Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro
Motion Graphics & 3D Modelling: Cinema 4D, Blender, Houdini, Maya, SketchUp
Web & Graphic Design: CSS, HTML5, JavaScript, WordPress, Bootstrap, SVG
Prototyping & Wireframing: Sketch, Figma, Invision Studio, Adobe XD
OTHER
Certifications: Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in After Effects, Autodesk Certified Professional: 3ds Max
Leadership & Volunteering: Freelance Designer for Resume Worded Non-Profit (2015 - Present)
Projects: Created Over 20+ Promotional Videos for Resume Worded's marketing campaigns (2020)
Awards: D&AD Yellow Pencil for Animation Design, 2018

How do I add skills to a Design resume?

1
Review the job posting closely.

Go through the Design posting you're applying to, and identify hard skills the company is looking for. For example, skills like Logo Design, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator are possible skills. These are skills you should try to include on your resume.

2
Add industry skills like Graphic Design and Adobe Photoshop.

Add other common skills from your industry - such as Graphics, Adobe Creative Suite and Web Design - into your resume if they're relevant.

3
Add skills into your work experience.

Incorporate skills - like User Interface Design, Design Research and Customer Service - into your work experience too. This shows hiring managers that you have practical experience with these tools, techniques and skills.

4
Showcase your design and creative skills.

A popular skill set for a Design is creativity and design, so try to include evidence of them on your resume.

5
Use the exact job title.

Try to add the exact job title, Design, somewhere into your resume to get past resume screeners. See the infographic for how to do this.

Design Resume Templates

Here are examples of proven resumes in related jobs and industries, approved by experienced hiring managers. Use them as inspiration when you're writing your own resume. You can even download and edit the resume template in Google Docs.

Resume Example
Graphic Design Manager


Resume Example
Electrical Design Engineer


Resume Example
Interior Design Assistant


Resume Example
Mechanical Design Engineer


Resume Example
Safety Design Engineer


Resume Example
Fashion Design Director


Word Cloud for Design Skills & Keywords

The following word cloud highlights the most popular keywords that appear on Design job descriptions. The bigger the word, the more frequently it shows up on employer's job postings. If you have experience with these keywords, include them on your resume.

Top Design Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

Browse Jobs in this Category

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Frequently Asked Questions

What skills should you add to a Design resume?

Here are some of the most popular skills we see on Design resumes:

  • Graphic Design
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Logo Design
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Graphics
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Web Design

What are the differences in resume skills between an Industrial Designer and a Project Designer?

If you are writing an Industrial Designer resume, try to emphasize skills like Industrial Design, Keyshot, Concept Development, Product Design, Design Thinking, Sketching, Design Strategy and Rendering.

Similarly, if you are writing a Project Designer resume, emphasize skills like AutoCAD, Revit, Design Research, Architectural Design, SketchUp, Space Planning, Submittals and Sustainable Design.

What are good resume skills to include for different Design roles and job titles?

Depending on the specific role you apply to, you may need to emphasize different skill sets. Here are a few examples:

  • Project Designer: AutoCAD, Revit, Design Research, Architectural Design and SketchUp
  • Industrial Designer: Industrial Design, Keyshot, Concept Development, Product Design and Design Thinking
  • Computer Aided Design Specialist: Computer-Aided Design (CAD), SOLIDWORKS, CAD/CAM, Engineering and Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Target your Resume to a Job Description

While the keywords above are a good indication of what skills you need on your resume, you should try to find additional keywords that are specific to the job. To do this, use the free Targeted Resume tool. It analyzes the job you are applying to and finds the most important keywords you need on your resume.

It is personalized to your resume, and is the best way to ensure your resume will pass the automated resume filters.

Start targeting your resume


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