Graphic Designer Cover Letter: Examples, Templates & Tips

Cover letter template for graphic designers

Use this template as a starting point for your graphic designer cover letter.

Gregory Foster
Norfolk, VA 23503
555-555-5555
example@example.com

August 19, 2024

Marie Lopez, Creative Director
Forward Thinking
59 Thomas Drive
Norfolk, VA 23503

Dear Ms. Lopez,

I am excited to apply for the senior graphic designer position at Forward Thinking. With 12 years of experience in the industry, I have the skills and expertise to make a valuable contribution to your team. I am especially drawn to Forward Thinking’s mission to deliver the WOW effect through service, and my experience aligns well with your needs.

In my current role as a lead graphic designer at Radiance Works, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects for clients in diverse industries. Over the past year, I have increased the company’s revenue by 20% through my design work on projects ranging from brand identities to social media campaigns. Additionally, I have reduced project turnaround time by implementing a streamlined workflow process and ensuring effective communication with team members.

My experience with leadership has also allowed me to impact previous projects significantly. For instance, I designed and implemented a new website for a health care client that resulted in a 40% increase in website traffic and a 25% increase in lead generation. Moreover, I led a team of designers to create a comprehensive brand identity for a food and beverage company, resulting in increased social media engagement and sales.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, meet tight deadlines and produce high-quality work. I am passionate about staying up to date with the latest design trends and technologies and am committed to continually improving my skills.

I am excited about joining Forward Thinking and contributing to your mission. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely,

Gregory Foster

Format your hotel manager cover letter

You already know the power of visuals. Here’s a reminder of some key cover letter formatting elements, but remember, with your eye for design, feel free to push the boundaries:

Ultimately, your cover letter directly reflects your design philosophy and attention to detail.

Choosing the right template

Create your cover letter

Graphic designers who use a cover letter template have a unique choice: use a premade template or create your own design. Let’s consider the pros and cons of each approach.

Using a premade template:

• Pros: Templates can save time and offer proven, professional layouts. They’re a reliable choice if you need to focus more on content than design or are pressed for time.
• Cons: They may lack the uniqueness to stand out in a pile of applications, especially in a field where design originality is critical.

Designing your own template:

• Pros: Designing your own cover letter layout lets you showcase your creativity and design skills immediately. It can make your application memorable and give a glimpse of your personal brand.
• Cons: This approach can be more time-consuming and runs the risk of overdesigning, which might overshadow the content.

As a designer, you know the importance of blending aesthetics with functionality. Whether you choose a template or create your own design, ensure it represents your unique style and professional competence.

Let’s get started on crafting that cover letter. Think of it as a project for your most important client — yourself!

How to write a graphic designer cover letter

As a graphic designer, your cover letter is a prime opportunity to demonstrate your creative expertise in a competitive industry.

Keep in mind, a whopping 83% of hiring managers value cover letters highly in their decision-making process. Seize this opportunity to make a memorable impression.

Before diving into writing, review the job listing. Getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS) is your first challenge. The keywords you use are crucial. Choosing the right ones can dramatically boost your application.

Focus on skills sought after in a graphic designer — such as “creative design,” “visual communication,” “client collaboration” and “technical proficiency.” Make sure these are reflected in both your resume and cover letter.

With this knowledge, you can tailor your cover letter to meet these requirements.

As a designer, you have the freedom to be more adventurous with your cover letter header. It’s not just a formality but an example of your design skills.

Above anything else, ensure your contact information is accurate — even a tiny mistake could be costly. And remember, consistency with your resume is key.

Here’s what to include:

• Your full name
• Your city and state
• Your phone number
• Your professional email address
• Link to your portfolio — This is crucial for a graphic designer, so make it prominent and easily accessible.

Begin your cover letter by personally addressing the hiring manager, much like you would engage with a client or collaborator on a design project.

Always check the job posting for a specific contact. If no name is provided, it’s acceptable to address it to the company’s Creative Department or Hiring Team.

Doing a bit of research, such as visiting the company’s website or making a polite inquiry call, can help uncover the hiring manager’s name. This personal touch can make a significant difference, demonstrating your initiative and attention to detail.

Your opening should be as striking as the first page of a portfolio. It needs to capture the reader’s attention immediately and explain why you’re writing.

For example:

In the body of your cover letter, help the hiring manager understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the graphic design position. You can do this in about two or three focused paragraphs.

Key areas to focus on:

• Showcase a broad skill set: Emphasize both hard skills (like proficiency in design software, understanding of typography) and soft skills (creativity, problem-solving). These combined traits define your capabilities as a designer.
• Highlight experience and impact: Reflect on your design experiences that align with the job description. Discuss projects where your designs significantly impacted client satisfaction, brand identity or sales.
• Address unique career situations:Graphic design paths can be diverse. If you’ve had an unconventional journey, like shifting from another field or working on eclectic projects, briefly explain these. It adds depth to your background and shows versatility.

Example body paragraphs:

Write a powerful and succinct cover letter conclusion. Reiterate your excitement for the graphic designer role, thank the reader for considering you and express your eagerness for a discussion.

Consider closing with:

End with a formal and respectful signoff. “Sincerely,” “Best Regards” or “Kind Regards” are suitable choices.

Include a resume

Create your resume

Never lose sight of the fact that your cover letter and resume are more than just documents — they are personal branding tools. They should work in tandem to showcase your design prowess.

Begin by selecting a resume template that echoes the design of your cover letter. This visual consistency is key in demonstrating your graphic design skills and attention to detail.

If you’re unsure about how to make a resume, consider looking at graphic designer resume examples. Focus on examples that highlight key skills like creativity, technical proficiency and project management.

Pressed for time? Our Resume Maker is an efficient solution, ideal for crafting a resume that showcases your graphic design skills. It offers a variety of templates and pre-filled sections that can be customized to reflect your unique style and experience.

Key takeaways