Graphic design is all about visuals. You’re the visionary who turns the ordinary into something extraordinary — whether that’s a poster, a website, or a menu. You’ve got this. But how can you show off your artistic talents when writing a graphic designer cover letter?
If you’ve been wondering just that, you’ve come to the right place. While your portfolio will “wow” employers, a well-written cover letter can help you seal the deal. It’s your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager and explain why you’re the person for the job.
Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need to catapult yourself toward professional success. When you’re writing a cover letter, you have around 300 words to say all there is to say. Make every word count. In the following guide, with a corresponding graphic designer cover letter example, we will be covering these topics:
- How to decide on the right format for your graphic designer cover letter
- What cover letter sections you should include (plus a cover letter example)
- How to write a cover letter when you have zero graphic design experience
Ready to start writing? Take the time to check out our library of cover letter samples. That way, you can get a well-rounded idea of how these letters are structured and their tone.
Need some more inspiration to help you along the way? We have your back. Check out our related cover letter examples below:
Best format for a graphic designer cover letter
First up, let’s talk about the format your graphic designer cover letter should take. Think of this like a framework — you use it as a guide when writing the letter. Here’s the flow:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting/salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Your graphic designer cover letter gives you the chance to illustrate why you fit the job criteria. Don’t miss out on that opportunity. You can add some real colour to your application by sharing interesting information here. However, the last thing you want to do is ramble. Follow the above structure to ensure that you don’t accidentally veer off topic.
New to the realms of applications? Don’t panic. You can get the inside scoop with our comprehensive cover letter format guide. As if that weren’t enough to give you some inspiration, take the time to look at our graphic designer cover letter example too.
Dear Mrs Rou,
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Graphic Designer position advertised on your website. As a designer with five years of experience, I believe that I have the necessary skills and experience to excel in this role and contribute to the continued success of your team.
In my current role at Freya Advertising, I have specialised in creating visual communications campaigns for print and digital media. I have gained valuable experience working on a variety of projects, from concept development to final execution. This has involved working independently while collaborating with team members and clients to achieve project objectives.
One of my proudest achievements to date has been my contribution to the design of the Stop Cancer campaign. Our designs — of which I was responsible for the social media designs — were nominated for several awards and led to policy changes in the NHS for cancer treatment. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase my skills in creating compelling visuals and branding that resonated with the client and their target audience.
Having spent the last year managing a team of interns, I am looking for opportunities to step up to a more senior role in an environment where I can carry out more campaigns for nonprofits. I know this is a point of focus at Teach Design. I would relish the chance to bring the ideas and philosophy I have honed during my time in a multidisciplinary team into your specialised digital media team.
I would love to ask you my questions about the role in an interview. I hope to be able to tell you more about my experience that I believe makes me an excellent fit for the team in person. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Louis Page
Cover letter header
The cover letter header is located at the top-left of the page. It includes basic information about you: your name, location, and contact details. Make sure that this is easy to read. You want to make things as easy as possible for the reader. However, you can afford to add a splash of colour or design flairs as you are applying for a role in the creative sector.
Cover letter greeting
Next up, it’s time to say hello to the hiring manager. While you may have been taught to use the age-old “To whom it may concern,” that approach is outdated. Using this opening line makes you seem out of touch with the times. Instead, you need a tailored greeting.
If you know the hiring manager’s name, go with their title and surname. For example, you could address your cover letter by saying “Dear Mr. Jenkins”. On the other hand, you may not know the reader’s name. In that case, go with something more generic. You could opt for “Dear ___ team,” for instance. Check out our example for some inspiration.
Cover letter introduction
It’s time to “hook” your audience. The introduction of your graphic designer cover letter matters. You want to grab the reader’s attention immediately and not let it go. To help you along the way, answer this question: What is your number one achievement?
Consider what your most impressive feat is. You can lead with that snippet of information. It may be a national campaign you worked on, an award you won, or a brand you have collaborated with. Whatever you choose, place it front and centre in this paragraph.
Dear Mrs Rou,
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Graphic Designer position advertised on your website. As a designer with five years of experience, I believe that I have the necessary skills and experience to excel in this role and contribute to the continued success of your team.
Don’t mix your messages!
Pick one solid hook to use in your cover letter introduction. Bringing in too many different subjects will only convolute things. Instead, stick to one message and make it strong.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters are where you unpack all you have to bring to the table. What skills and talents do you have in your arsenal? What specialist experience have you got under your belt? These are topics you may choose to cover here.
Wherever possible, you should add evidence to your claims. For example, if you talk about working on a national advertising campaign, add the audience reach to the sentence. Showing that your graphic design work can make a major impact is a real advantage. Slide in some handy statistics or numbers to give your cover letter some more weight.
When it comes to the tone of your cover letter, make sure it’s professional. You want to show the hiring manager that you have what it takes to make it in the corporate or commercial world. They need to trust that you’ve got what it takes. If you’re not used to writing formal-style documents, take a look at our cover letter sample for help.
In my current role at Freya Advertising, I have specialised in creating visual communications campaigns for print and digital media. I have gained valuable experience working on a variety of projects, from concept development to final execution. This has involved working independently while collaborating with team members and clients to achieve project objectives.
One of my proudest achievements to date has been my contribution to the design of the Stop Cancer campaign. Our designs — of which I was responsible for the social media designs — were nominated for several awards and led to policy changes in the NHS for cancer treatment. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase my skills in creating compelling visuals and branding that resonated with the client and their target audience.
Having spent the last year managing a team of interns, I am looking for opportunities to step up to a more senior role in an environment where I can carry out more campaigns for nonprofits. I know this is a point of focus at Teach Design. I would relish the chance to bring the ideas and philosophy I have honed during my time in a multidisciplinary team into your specialised digital media team.
How to close a graphic designer cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Once you’ve written the main part of your graphic designer cover letter, the last step is signing off. Writing a well-pitched conclusion can get you far. As the reader gets towards the bottom of the page, they will naturally slow down their reading pace. For that reason, your final lines need to pack a real punch and leave them wanting more from you.
You can add a quick call to action to show that you are interested. For example, you may want to include a line asking them to get in touch to find out more about you. Alternatively, you could also tease them with a snippet of information and then say you will share more during the interview. Do whatever you can to pique the hiring manager’s interest.
I would love to ask you my questions about the role in an interview. I hope to be able to tell you more about my experience that I believe makes me an excellent fit for the team in person. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Louis Page
Graphic designer cover letter with no experience
Are you entering the graphic design sector? If you’re looking for your first big break, you might find the application process stressful. Yes, there will be other candidates with experience. That’s a given. However, when it comes to entry-level jobs, you should still apply. While you haven’t got experience to talk about, here’s what you can cover:
- Your training. What graphic design training do you have? What programs can you use and to what level? What type of work have you completed during your training?
- Your aspirations. What do you hope to gain out of your graphic design career? Where do you see this route taking you? And, crucially, how does the role to which you’re applying fit into that pathway?
- Company knowledge. What is it about this specific company or agency that has caught your attention? How does your skill set align with what they need?
Convey a sense of enthusiasm in your graphic designer cover letter. The more passion you show in this document, the more likely you are to land that all-important interview.
Key takeaways
- Your graphic designer cover letter supports your portfolio! It’s your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager.
- Make sure you follow a solid cover letter structure and stick to around 300 words. You don’t want to ramble on and bore the reader.
- Use a formal and professional tone at all times. Your cover letter is an important document and you need to treat it as such!
- Use our tried and tested cover letter templates to take the hassle out of applying.
