CV Examples for Career Changers: Highlighting Transferable Skills from graphic design to ux/ui design

Switching Lanes: From Graphic Design to UX/UI Design? Your CV Needs a Refresh!

So, you’re thinking about making the exciting leap from Graphic Design into the world of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design? That’s fantastic! It’s a dynamic field, and guess what? Your graphic design background gives you a brilliant head start.

But here’s the thing: recruiters need to see how your existing skills fit into this new context. Your CV needs to act as a bridge, clearly showing how your graphic design talents translate directly into valuable UX/UI capabilities.

Feeling a bit unsure how to do that? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s break down how to highlight those crucial transferable skills and make your CV shine for UX/UI roles.

First Things First: Graphic Design vs. UX/UI

While both fields involve design, their core focus differs slightly:

• Graphic Design: Often focuses on visual communication, branding, and aesthetics for print or static digital media (logos, brochures, ads).
• UX/UI Design: Focuses on the user’s journey and interaction with a digital product (website, app). UX is about the overall feel and usability, while UI is about the look and layout of the interface itself.

The good news? There’s a huge overlap. Both require creativity, an eye for detail, understanding visual principles, and designing with an audience in mind.

Spotting Your Superpowers: Key Transferable Skills

You likely have more relevant skills than you realize! Here are some core graphic design skills highly valued in UX/UI:

• Visual Design Fundamentals: Your mastery of colour theory, typography, layout, and visual hierarchy is essential for creating appealing and functional UIs.
• User/Audience Focus: You’re used to designing for specific target audiences or client needs. This translates directly to user empathy in UX – understanding user problems and needs.
• Problem-Solving: Taking a brief or a problem and turning it into a visual solution is a key skill in both fields.
• Software Proficiency: Your experience with tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) is a great foundation. Many UX/UI designers also use tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD – highlight these if you’re learning or using them!
• Communication & Collaboration: Working with clients, printers, or marketing teams? That experience is vital for collaborating with developers, product managers, and researchers in a UX/UI setting.
• Attention to Detail: Pixel-perfect designs matter in both worlds.
• Understanding Brand Identity: Ensuring visual consistency is crucial for UI design.

Making Your CV Speak UX/UI

Okay, let’s get practical. How do you weave these skills into your CV?

1. Nail Your CV Summary/Profile:

This is your elevator pitch. Don’t just say you’re a graphic designer. Frame your experience with a UX/UI lens.

• Instead of: “Creative Graphic Designer with 5 years of experience in print and digital media.”
• Try: “User-focused and creative designer transitioning from graphic design to UX/UI. Proven ability in visual design, user empathy, and problem-solving, seeking to leverage skills to create intuitive and engaging digital experiences.”
  • Tip: Need help crafting that perfect opening? ThePerfectCV’s AI summary generator can suggest impactful statements based on your experience and target role.

2. Reframe Your Experience Section:

Go through your past graphic design roles and describe your responsibilities using language that resonates with UX/UI recruiters. Focus on the process and impact.

• Instead of: “Designed marketing materials including brochures and flyers.”
• Try: “Developed user-centric marketing collateral by translating complex information into clear, visually engaging layouts, improving audience comprehension.”
• Instead of: “Created website mockups for clients.”
• Try: “Designed wireframes and high-fidelity mockups for client websites, focusing on intuitive navigation and visual hierarchy to enhance user experience.”
• Instead of: “Worked with clients to create logos.”
• Try: “Collaborated with stakeholders to understand brand goals and user needs, developing visual identities that effectively communicated brand values across digital platforms.”

Quantify your achievements whenever possible! (e.g., “Contributed to a website redesign that increased user engagement by 15%.”)

3. Showcase Skills Clearly:

Have a dedicated skills section. List your graphic design software and any UX/UI specific tools or methodologies you know (even if you’re just learning!).

• Hard Skills: Visual Design, UI Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, Typography, Colour Theory, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, Sketch, User Research (if applicable), Information Architecture (if applicable).
• Soft Skills: User Empathy, Problem-Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Creativity.
  • Tip: ThePerfectCV can suggest relevant skills based on job descriptions, helping you ensure you haven’t missed anything crucial.

4. Add a Projects Section (Super Important!):

Since you’re changing careers, showing practical application is key. Include:

• Personal UX/UI Projects: Redesigned an existing app? Created a concept for a new website? Detail your process (research, personas, wireframes, prototypes, testing).
• Relevant Coursework or Bootcamps: Mention specific projects completed.
• Volunteer Work: Did you help a non-profit with their website usability? Include it!
• Link Your Portfolio: This is non-negotiable for design roles. Make sure your portfolio showcases your UX/UI thinking, not just finished graphic design pieces.

5. Consider Your CV Format:

For career changers, a Combination CV format can work well. It highlights your relevant skills prominently at the top before diving into your chronological work history. ThePerfectCV offers various templates, including functional and combination styles, that can help structure your information effectively.

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor!

Remember, one size doesn’t fit all. Read UX/UI job descriptions carefully.

• Note the specific skills and keywords they use (e.g., “wireframing,” “user flows,” “usability testing,” “design systems”).
• Customize your CV for each application, highlighting the experiences and skills that match the job requirements most closely.

You’ve Got This!

Making the switch from graphic design to UX/UI is a natural progression for many creatives. Your existing skills are incredibly valuable – it’s all about showcasing them in the right light. By reframing your experience, highlighting transferable skills, and demonstrating your passion through projects, you can create a compelling CV that opens doors to exciting UX/UI opportunities.

Ready to build a CV that bridges your graphic design past with your UX/UI future? Give ThePerfectCV a try – our tools and templates are designed to help career changers like you put their best foot forward. Good luck!