25+ Creative Resume CV Design Tips (With Template Examples for 2024)

Are you hunting for that dream role at a creative company? You'll need to dust off your old creative resume or creative CV and give it a modern refresh. 

But how can you make sure that—out of all the applicants—it’s your cool resume that catches your future employer’s eye? 

Today, we look at over twenty-five creative resume design tips and modern resume examples for overhauling the format, layout, and structure of your resume. We also share creative resume examples and templates throughout the post. I'll visually show twenty-five plus resume design tips in action so you can readily put them to work for you.

When you're ready to create your own cool resume, check out this tutorial on designing a creative resume in Adobe InDesign. You can also browse the full selection of creative CV examples and creative resume templates at Envato Elements.

• 

  35 Creative (Dynamic) Resume CV Templates: For Professional Jobs in 2022

  

  Sean Hodge

  27 Mar 2020

Quick Creative Resume CV Design Tips & How-Tos (Video)

Are you ready to start learning some resume CV Design Tips? We've created this quick video to help you with 10 tips for creating or updating your own creative resume design.

Or study the complete written tutorial below for even more tips.

25+ Creative Resume Design Tips to Use Now

Here's my curated list of resume tips you can use to improve your resume:

Tip 1. Leverage Professional Social Proof

Incorporating testimonials into your resume can significantly enhance its impact. Select short, powerful quotes from previous employers or clients that highlight your:

• skills
• work ethic
• achievements

These serve as a third-party endorsement of your capabilities.

Adding these testimonials not only adds credibility but also gives potential employers insight into how you're perceived by others in a professional context. Choose testimonials that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Ensure that they align with the qualities the employer is seeking. 

Free creative resume templates can help create a resume with no cost. But it's creative resume examples like the one above that show you just how effective professionally polished premium templates are.

Tip 2. Incorporate a QR Code

Adding a QR code to your resume is a modern touch that bridges the gap between a traditional paper resume and your online professional presence. This small, scannable image can link directly to your LinkedIn profile, online portfolio, or personal website. This provides employers with instant access to more comprehensive information about your career and achievements.

Ensure the linked content is professionally presented and up-to-date, reflecting the best aspects of your professional identity. 

Below is a creative resume format that has a spot for a QR code in the design.

Tip 3. Highlight Important Achievements 

Using icons to emphasize key achievements on your resume can make your accomplishments more noticeable at a glance. Select icons that are simple yet descriptive, ensuring they are relevant to the achievements they represent.

For example, a trophy icon could highlight awards or recognitions. And a graph icon might be used to illustrate successful project outcomes or sales growth. Place these icons next to the corresponding achievements, using them sparingly to avoid clutter.

Tip 4. Use Columns to Maximize Space

One thing that's an absolute nightmare for employers tasked with looking through resumes by the bucketload is encountering resumes that are more than one page long. 

What is the best advice for how to design a resume/CV? Keep it short and sweet.

Edit out qualifications and details that are irrelevant to the role. You’ll appear concise and organized. You’ll also be highlighting only the most important, and best, information about yourself. This will make your resume easy to digest and a doddle to print (you’re welcome, environment). 

But how can you even begin to fit all your wonderful achievements on just one sheet of paper?

There are some creative CV/resume design techniques you can use to maximize the space on your one page without forcing the layout to feel overcrowded.

Place shorter sections of information in the column along with a photo, like: 

• a brief bio
• skills
• software competencies
• languages
• contact details 

Switch up the background color of the column to keep it visually distinctive.

Placing more detailed chunks of information, such as your job experience, education and qualifications, in the other wider column will help maximize the limited space available in your creative resume layout.

Tip 5. Resume Layout Structure Is All-Important

Organization is the key to a successfully designed resume. You want the design of your creative resume format to be well-planned and organized.

Once you've edited down your content to one page’s worth, visually separate that information into digestible chunks. 

Don’t lump all your information together. Use a grid structure for your layout, with columns and rows, visual dividers, and white space to section out all the data you’re presenting to the reader. This will also make it much easier for them to refer to individual items of information in conversation with a colleague or during an interview. 

Make your creative resume a pleasure to read, not a chore. Keeping your information visually organized helps you achieve this. 

Look at this creative resume design template, and particularly at how the information section of this creative resume format.

This creative resume layout is based on a simple grid structure with two columns and plenty of white space. The different sections are clearly marked out and divided from each other with subheadings and lines.

Create a pretty resume that’s as well-organized as the company’s filing system. It'll say something about your personality to your potential employer—your organizational skills and efficiency being immediately clear.

Tip 6. Put the Impressive Stuff Above the Fold

The term above the fold comes from the world of newspapers and refers to the top half of a folded newspaper, the area that people see first before. This top half is prime real estate and so the most important news items are placed there. 

The same principle applies when approaching how to design a CV/resume as well. The top half is the area your potential employer will see and focus on first. So, don't waste space with huge headers for your name and contact details across the top of the page. 

This creative resume design, CV with a creative design, uses a personalized header but consigned it to the left column so that the summary and work experience fit above the fold. 

Tip 7. Include Direct Links To Your Social Media Profiles

Consider including direct links to your social media profiles or your website. More than likely, the recruiters will search your name online to get a sense of your past work or experiences. Don’t leave it to chance and instead make it easy for them to find you online.

Tip 8. Combine Different Fonts

Using only one font throughout your resume will not result in a pretty resume design. There are thousands of beautiful and free or low-cost fonts available online. So, there’s no excuse to stick to the same old boring fonts everyone else is using.

Consider using one font for creative resume headings and one font for your body text. You can also experiment with different font weights.

One of the creative resume examples that stands out for its combination of fonts is the example below.

Tip 9. Catch the Eye With Resume Infographics

Infographic design details are a great way of introducing a more unique look to your resume, while looking data-driven and professional.

How to achieve the infographic look? First, divide your resume layout up into a grid with two columns and four or five rows. Focus on placing one section of ‘data’ into each square of the grid, whether that’s your list of awards and certificates, or your educational history.

Transform each section of data into its own individual infographic. 

Try transforming your list of past jobs into an experience timeline, ordered chronologically. Use graphic icons to represent different skills or hobbies. (Look at the huge range of free icons available at flaticon.com if you don’t fancy creating your own from scratch.) 

Use the shape tools in your design software of choice to create simple charts and graphs to represent your language skills or software experience.

While infographics can make your resume visually appealing and highlight your creativity, it's crucial to use them judiciously. Not all industries appreciate heavily designed resumes, and some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may struggle to read them correctly. 

Check out this simple tutorial on creating your own infographic elements in Adobe InDesign. Use them to embellish your resume layout.

One final tip for infographic styles—keep your colors pared-back, neutral and minimal. With all those graphic elements going on, you’ll want to keep the design looking ultra-professional. 

Tip 10. Make a Nod to Your Profession

Odds are, you're looking for a role that'll make good use of your skillset. If this is the case, fine-tune the design of your resume to make a nod to your chosen profession.

For example, if you’re a publishing designer, make your resume look a little bookish. Use classic typefaces like Caslon and Baskerville. Structure the layout to mimic a beautifully typeset book page.

If you’re a web designer, take inspiration from this resume with digital elements and give your layout a digital-inspired design with neon pops of color, data-like icons and bars, and a precise, clean-cut layout. Just like a beautifully designed web page, right?

Use your creative resume as an opportunity to show off your design skills in practice. This will make the look of your resume a great talking point at the interview stage and will showcase your enthusiasm for your career of choice. 

Tip 11. Know When to Keep It Simple

There's also a time and a place for minimal, simple design. 

Perhaps the role you’re applying for is more administrative. Even if it’s within a creative company, or the company isn't so much a youthful start-up but more an established, formal enterprise. Applying for a role at an architecture firm or marketing company? Perhaps a more stripped-back resume design would be more fitting.

Take a lesson from this creative CV, minimal resume template:

Choose a classic sans serif typeface and keep the structure of your minimal resume conventional. Flush type to align left to keep your text traditional in style. Allow for white space to make the whole design appear serene and professional.

Use simple, thin lines (look to the Stroke Tools in Adobe software) to divide sections of content into manageable chunks. Use color sparingly—as a little pop of blue to mark out subheadings catches the eye without being overbearing.

Tip 12. Create a Personal Brand or Resume With a Logo

Treat your job application as an exercise in branding. It's a great way to both elevate your application to the next level and prove to your future employer that you can be creative while working within a set of brand rules.

Before you begin creating your portfolio, resume, and cover letter, lay down some simple rules for your personal brand. 

First, consider adding your own branding elements to your CV, like in this slick resume with a logo. Try designing a simple icon using your initials and a simple shape or border. Apply the logo to the cover page of all your application documents.

Secondly, you need to think about being consistent with your choice of typeface and how you format your text. 

Choose a simple, legible sans serif for jobs in digital-related fields (take Aller for a spin). Or go for a serif (you can’t go wrong with Caslon or Garamond) if the role is more traditional. 

Set rules for how you format headers, sub-headings, and body text. Apply consistent text sizing and alignment throughout all your documents.

A brand is really pulled together by a consistent use of color. Look at this colorful and creative resume example. It features a bold blue that's applied consistently across this creative resume design, with some shapes used to tie together the elements.

Create a complementary color palette in your software of choice and stick to it! (In Adobe programs, expand the Swatches panel and create new CMYK swatches before saving them as a Swatch Library.)

Remember that having a resume with your logo will let recruiters know you're someone with a professional and experienced background. Also, take your branding exercise to the next level by designing your portfolio website to match your brand look, so that the impressive unified effect isn’t lost when the employer checks you out online. 

Tip 13. Match the Company's Colors

Another strategy, and one that's the complete opposite of Tip 10 above, is to have your resume match the brand of the company you're applying to. This may seem counter-intuitive, but by applying the company's fonts, colors, style, etc., to your own resume. It shows you did your research and are passionate about the company and about working for it.

This is how to design a resume that stands apart from the competition. 

Tip 14. Make the Design of Your CV Personal

In terms of design, there are two ultra-simple ways to personalize your resume and make it more reflective of who you are. 

1. Add your personal signature to the design. Signing your name is personal and intimate and makes a nice nod to tradition in this overwhelmingly digital age. If your signature’s illegible or downright messy, use a handwritten typeface to set your name instead.
2. Personalize your resume to include a photo. Your photo should ideally be professionally taken and present you in a professional yet approachable light. A warm smile is great, but avoid manic laughter. Equally, a stony-faced, serious photo could be off-putting to an employer looking for a team player. A professional photographer will put you at ease and produce photos that look natural.  Adjusting color photos to black-and-white (apply a Black & White Adjustment Layer to your color photo in Adobe Photoshop) also adds an extra-professional touch.

Tip 15. Want to Be Really Creative? Go for a Digital Resume!

Print resumes have an old-fashioned charm, and many companies will take it as a given that your application will be in a printable format. Sometimes, you need to push the boundaries.

Moving your resume onto a digital platform allows you to get creative with your presentation.

With a digital resume can now integrate interactive content into your resume, such as animation and video. They also happen to be incredibly convenient for your employer to access. Make sure your site is mobile-responsive in case they decide to check you out on their morning commute.

However, it's essential to remember that not all employers will take the time to explore a digital resume, and some may still require a traditional format. Therefore, consider your industry and the specific company culture before opting for a digital resume.

This uber-professional digital resume is a fantastic example of integrating a resume, cover letter, and portfolio into one slick web page:

The dark background and minimal design keep the page from looking overly gimmicky or geeky. Envato Elements has tons of these creative resume ideas.

Tip 16. Balance Creativity and Professionalism

Strike a fine-tuned balance between creativity and professionalism in your resume design. 

Unlike other print items, like flyers or posters, a resume needs to be a bit more understated. 

Before they’ve even met you in person an employer will make judgments about your personality and professional capabilities based on the look of your resume alone. So, make sure those first impressions are as positive as possible. It'll improve your chances of getting to the interview stage.

Choosing an elegant, legible typeface and setting it nicely on the page will have a more positive impact than a layout weighed down with gradients, eyesore colors and novelty fonts.

Show off your creative side in a subtle way by proving that you know when there’s a time and a place for being ultra-experimental. And for some jobs you may apply for, a professional resume isn't the place to do it. 

Move away from loading down your resume with creative effects. Focus more on how you can improve the reader’s experience of your application. 

Structuring the content of your creative resume templates, developing a personal brand, or moving your resume onto a digital platform will prove to potential employers that you can problem-solve and present information in a memorable, skillful way. 

Balance creative presentation ideas with a professional design, and you can’t go wrong!

Tip 17. Don’t Ignore the Cover Letter

Taking the time to perfect your resume is normal if you want to get it right. But don’t ignore the cover letter and make it an afterthought. It’s important to dedicate the same amount of time to the cover letter to make sure you’re tailoring it to the position and the company you’re applying to. 

Fonts and colors should be consistent with those used on your resume. The tone of voice should be professional. Although you’ll want to make sure not to sound like you’re copying and pasting the same information over and over. 

Keep the cover letter short and to the point — around three paragraphs is usually a good rule of thumb to follow. 

If you’re wondering how to design an engaging cover letter, you’re in luck. Many creative CV examples and templates on Envato Elements come with a matching cover letter. So you don’t have to waste time trying to mimic the design of your resume. 

Tip 18. Emphasize Your Contact Information

According to one study from The Ladders, recruiters won’t spend more than six seconds on any given resume. That’s why your contact information needs to visually stand out from the rest of your resume.

You could use a background color to emphasize it, or you could include your photo. Or include a logo if you've got one. 

Another tip to make this section visually stand out more is to use icons for your social media profiles, email addresses, and phone numbers. 

Tip 19. Make the Content Easy to Scan

Tied to the tip above, make sure the content of your resume is easy to scan. This is where brevity and proper formatting come into play. Use short sentences and bullet points to make the information easy to skim through. That way, recruiters can easily tell if you've got the necessary skills and education for the job you’re applying for. 

Using lines or section dividers, as well as creative resume headings and icons, are also great ways to make your resume more scannable. Consider this cool resume that not only uses headings, lines, and bullet points but also plenty of white space to make the content easy to scan and digest.

Tip 20. Use a Different Layout

If you’re applying for a job in a creative industry, consider using a horizontal layout instead of a vertical one. This isn't common practice. So, it’s a great way to stand out and immediately catch the attention of the recruiters. 

On top of that, you might be able to include more information on your resume without worrying about going over the one-page limit rule. Look at the design of this CV. It experiments with a horizontal layout for an effective resume.

Tip 21. Get Creative With Photos

If you’re applying for a job in a creative industry or if you need to showcase your photography skills, using a photo background on your resume is a great way to make your resume more unique. Few applicants will think of this. So, you’re sure to capture the attention of recruiting officers and share your talent and skills in an original way.

Tip 22. Go Black and White

Consider a traditional and classic look with a black and white template. Turn your photo to black and white for a more dramatic effect. You can also use a grey background to draw attention to areas of your resume that cover your skills or your contact details. This effect is a great choice if you’re applying for a corporate position or for a position in a high-end luxury industry.

Tip 23. Add Color to Power Words

Make the power words in your resume stand out by using color. Power words are keywords that recruiters will scan for so they can immediately see relevant information. They include resume sections such as skills, education, and experience. Those words can mean all the difference between your resume getting noticed or winding up in the bin. 

Apply the color directly to the heading, create a colored border around the heading, or add a colored shape to act as a background for that particular heading.

Tip 24. Proofread Everything

Make sure you proofread your resume at least once before sending it off. After all, the last thing you want is to spend all that time coming up with the perfect design and not checking for typos and other grammar errors. 

If you’re not confident in your grammar skills, use a tool like Grammarly to check your resume for you. 

Below is one of the many examples of creative CVs that look great and are fully proofread.

Tip 25. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

While creative resumes allow you to showcase your design skills, it's crucial to ensure they are also compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Many employers use ATS to screen resumes before they reach human eyes, so your resume must be readable by these systems.

Use a clean, straightforward layout and include relevant keywords from the job description throughout your resume. Avoid overusing graphics or text boxes, as these can confuse ATS software.

Tip 26. Interactive Elements for Digital Resumes

For digital resumes, consider incorporating interactive elements to engage potential employers actively. This could include clickable links to work samples, embedded videos showcasing your projects, or interactive infographics that detail your skills and experience.

These elements can transform a static resume into an immersive experience, allowing employers to see your work in action. 

Let's now have a look at how you can edit one of these creative resume templates in Photoshop. 

How to Make a Creative Resume in Photoshop 

Now that you’re armed with resume design tips, it’s time to customize creative resume formats so you can start applying for jobs. 

For the purposes of this tutorial, I’ll be using this CV with a creative design from Envato Elements. 

If you're wondering how to make a creative resume, you've come to the right place. This resume has a clean and creative CV design and comes with a matching cover letter. 

1. Add Information to Your Creative CV

Learn how to design a CV with this first step. Replace the dummy information with your own. To do this, open the resume in Photoshop and make sure that the Text tool is selected. Then, click anywhere on the text and select it with CTRL+A or CMD+A. Start typing your own information. 

2. Customize the Fonts 

The design of this CV comes with a few default fonts. Go ahead and customize the fonts used in the template. To customize the font, choose the Text tool and click on any text in the resume. Then, choose a font you like from the drop-down menu at the top.

3. Change Colors to Create a Cool Resume

How do you design a CV that feels like you? Change the colors. Once you’ve customized the fonts, customize the colors in your chosen template. For example, I want to change the black bar at the top of the resume. This bar is in the bottom-most layer. Once that layer has been selected, use the color picker tool to change it to a different color.

4. Add a Profile Photo

The next step is to add your profile photo. The CV template has a photo placeholder located on the first layer, called Clip Group. To replace the photo with your own, first, open your photo in Photoshop. Then, select it by pressing CTRL+A or CMD+A on a Mac. Copy it with CTRL+C or CMD+C. 

Go back to the resume file in Photoshop and make sure the first visible layer with the Clip Group selected. Paste your photo above it by pressing CTRL+V or CMD+V. Then, right-click the layer with the photo and select Make Clipping Mask.

Including a photo on your resume is a personal preference; some recruiters prefer it, while others don't. When in doubt, leave out the photo.

5. Export the Design of Your CV

Finally, you’re ready to export your finished and customized template. To do this, click on File > Save As and then select Photoshop PDF. You’re now ready to send it off to a job application.

That's it! Now you know how to make a creative resume and also how to design a CV from Envato Elements and adapt it with your personal information. 

Top 5 Modern Resume Examples & Templates From Envato Elements For 2024

Envato Elements is the best place to go when you’re looking for a creative resume template design. These templates have a modern and trendy design with all the necessary sections to present your professional background. Easily customize them to your needs and start applying for your dream job. 

Here are five of our top creative resume CV templates from Envato Elements:

1. Creative Resume Word

The first resume on this list has a colorful and trendy design. Add your profile photo or include your logo. There’s plenty of space to include your education, previous experience, and skills. The template comes with a matching cover letter template. Customize it in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Word. 

2. Resume CV Template 19

Make an impact with this resume template. It comes with a large photo area where you can include a photo of you or a sample of your work. The template includes a matching cover letter. It can be customized in Photoshop and has well-organized layers.

3. Colorful and Creative CV Resume

If you’re looking for a colorful resume template, this creative CV resume will come in handy. The template stands out with its full-color background and creative color splashes in the corners. Customize it to match your style. This template comes in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Word format.

4. CV Resume Creative Template Design

This is another creative resume template design that would work well for artists and graphic designers or illustrators. The template can easily be customized in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word. With a few clicks, easily change the text, fonts, and colors to reflect your own style. It comes with a matching cover letter and a portfolio page.

5. Creative Dual Color Resume Design

If you’re looking for a bold and creative resume design, give this template a try. It comes with a dual-color scheme that’s easy to customize. You can also change fonts and add your own photo. The template can be edited in Photoshop or Illustrator.

More Great Resume Template Designs

To see even more great resume template designs, check out the following roundups below. They feature modern and attractive resume designs from Envato Elements.

• 

  40+ Professional MS Word Resume Templates, Simple CV Design Formats 2024 (+ Video)

  

  Marc Schenker

  10 Nov 2023
• 

  30+ Best Infographic Resume Templates (Creative Examples for 2023)

  

  Sean Hodge

  01 Feb 2023
• 

  35 Creative (Dynamic) Resume CV Templates: For Professional Jobs in 2022

  

  Sean Hodge

  27 Mar 2020

More Tutorials: Learn How to Make a Great Resume 

Whether you want to learn how to make a resume in Photoshop or MS Word or learn more about creative resume formats, these articles will help you learn how to make a great resume and take your creations from blah to WOW! 

• 

  How to Effectively List Professional Skills on Your Resume (+ Video)

  

  Charley Mendoza

  05 Jun 2023
• 

  How to Best Use Resume Action Words (+117 Powerful Verbs)

  

  Charley Mendoza

  08 Sep 2020
• 

  19 Phrases You Need to Cut From Your Resume Right Now

  

  Charley Mendoza

  03 Sep 2020

Modern Resume Examples on Envato Elements (With Unlimited Use)

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of creative CV designs on marketplaces like Envato Elements. You’ll find templates for different industries as well as different styles. Most of them include matching cover letters, and some of them even come with a set of matching business cards. 

Most importantly, all our creative CV templates are easy to customize in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Word. So, you can use whatever program you’re comfortable with. 

Explore Modern CV Designs

If you want to download as many cool resume templates as possible, Envato Elements is a great choice. This is a subscription-based marketplace with a very compelling offer. For a low monthly price, download as many creative resumes designs and other design assets as you like.

From creative resumes to web mockups and templates, stock photos, fonts, and more, Envato Elements has it all. There are loads of quality creative CV designs and templates with on-trends available on Envato Elements.

With Envato Elements, finding the perfect assets is now faster with our AI-powered search assistant. Just type in what you're looking for, and let the technology do the hard work.

It quickly sorts through millions of items to find the assets that fit your project best.

Unlock the full potential of your presentations with Envato Elements. Join today and access our collection of creative assets!

Download a Creative Resume Design Today

Have you been looking to refresh your resume recently? Have you landed a dream job off the back of your creative resume design? We’d love to know! Feel free to share your experiences, comments and resume design tips below.

Ready to create your own resume from scratch? Check out this tutorial on creating a unique, versatile resume. Or browse the full range of creative CV examples available at Envato Elements. Why not start creating your updated creative resumes today?

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Daniel Strongin, Nona Blackman, Brenda Barron, and Gonzalo Angulo. Gonzalo is the Associate Video Editor with Envato Tuts+. Nona, Daniel, and Brenda are freelance instructors for Envato Tuts+.