Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Designer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.,

Carmita Sanchez-Fong

One of the most important hard skills a designer can possess is experience using Adobe Creative Suite because this is one of the main softwares utilized by web and graphic designers. It's also important for designers to have the hard skill of knowledge of programming languages such as HTML and CSS.

When it comes to soft skills, designers should have strong customer service skills above all else. Designers need to conceptualize designs, so great abstract thinking skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical designer skills. We ranked the top skills for designers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.7% of designer resumes contained sketch as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a designer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 designer skills for your resume and career

1. Sketch

Here's how designers use sketch:

Developed handbags from initial sketch through final product including material sourcing, development of prototypes, sampling and technical specifications.
Maintained plant sketch notebooks containing manufacturing notes and revise when required.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how designers use customer service:

Designed and coordinated personalized fruit and specialty arrangements in a timely and efficient manner * Provided clients with excellent customer service
Project / System Integration Department Manager overseeing 12 employees covering specialized engineered projects, customer service/support and product repairs.

3. Graphic Design

Graphic design is the art of making visual content to communicate messages. Designers apply different page layout methods and visual hierarchy by using letters and pictures to meet the need of end-users. Most companies use graphic design to sell their product or services and to convey complicated information by using infographics.

Here's how designers use graphic design:

Monitored graphic design and assets resulting in higher quality standards and consistency.
Worked closely with graphic design manager and project manager for project specifications.

4. CSS

Here's how designers use css:

Utilized CSS, DHTML, HTML, and JavaScript for cross browser, cross platform compatibility and consistency.
Developed different kinds of functions globally, locally for the development of forms using JavaScript, CSS.

5. HTML

Here's how designers use html:

Assisted programmer and engineer with the construction of on-line technical writing documentation using HTML
Modified desktop publishing documents for posting on the web including creating HTML and PDF versions of Quark and PageMaker files.

6. PowerPoint

Here's how designers use powerpoint:

Created training seminar on how to use PowerPoint and the company presentation template effectively and provided custom companion materials.
Translated concepts of marketing strategies and tactics into highly professional PowerPoint slide decks for professional presentations.

Choose from 10+ customizable designer resume templates

Build a professional designer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your designer resume.

7. JavaScript

Here's how designers use javascript:

Developed SharePoint apps for SharePoint 2013 on premise using the latest JavaScript frameworks and REST.
Used Validation Controls, JavaScript and AJAX to create client side and server side validations.

8. Revit

Revit, also known as Autodesk Revit, is computer software used by architects, structural engineers, and designers to perform building modeling tasks. Revit was designed to facilitate users, draw building modeling structures in a 2D and 3D format. Creating such models allows architects and engineers to pre-planning, scheduling, estimating the life of the structure and the entire cost of construction.

Here's how designers use revit:

Prepared complex Architecture and Engineering construction drawings for residential and commercial projects utilizing AutoCAD Architecture and REVIT.
Trained others how to use REVIT and any other programs to my knowledge and as I learned.

9. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how designers use adobe photoshop:

Designed illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to explain medical and pharmaceutical concepts.
Designed personalized custom phone cases utilizing Adobe Photoshop and 3D sublimation hardware.

10. Design Concepts

Here's how designers use design concepts:

Design modifications to existing machinery and implemented new design concepts from start to finish.
Established the architectural and interior design concepts for both commercial and residential interiors.

11. Project Management

Here's how designers use project management:

Worked closely with Purchasing and Project Management to provide early material take-offs to ensure timely delivery of long lead items.
Provide automation project management and technical direction to manufacturing department, management, and outside vendors and contractors.

12. Adobe Illustrator

Here's how designers use adobe illustrator:

Designed fashion technical sketches/flats with Adobe Illustrator.
Oversee the design of the Women's Services magazine, The Real Woman, using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator.

13. Aided Design

Here's how designers use aided design:

Designed implant crowns using CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Modeling) software, prescription orders, and dental impressions
Assisted in developing the structural design of products using computer aided design (CAD) and software.

14. Adobe Creative Suite

Here's how designers use adobe creative suite:

Mentored colleagues in the process and programs of the company including NGC, PLM, File Maker, and Adobe Creative Suite
Used Adobe Creative Suite 6 to create page layouts, vector-based headlines and photo spreads to compliment each story.

15. Product Development

Product development is the complete procedure of creating a product from concept until release of the final product. Product development has many stages after which a product is released into the market. Identifying the need, creating the opportunity, conceptualizing a product, and providing a solution, all are different stages of product development.

Here's how designers use product development:

Established a highly productive product development team by developing standards and procedures and utilizing management best practices.
Facilitated new product development meetings for the initiation of incoming customer orders for new and enhanced products.

5 Designer resume examples

Build a professional designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your designer resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Designers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on designer resumes?

Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The retail industry is robust and requires many skills. Content and industry-related knowledge are essential, including comfort with computer applications like Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Excel. Beyond knowledge of the industry, job candidates need excellent communication skills in written and oral forms. It's also highly recommended that job candidates have work experience in their area of interest, which could include an internship, job shadow, or part-time position.

What designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Carmita Sanchez-Fong

Professor and Chairperson, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY

Sketch, sketch, sketch, and work on your portfolio. Use the many resources at FIT to stay current with technology, including 3d printing, laser cutting, and virtual reality. Volunteer with one of the professional organizations, attend virtual conferences, enter a competition, develop your personal/professional profile, and become familiar with digital material resources. Work on your research and presentation skills. Create a well-organized digital library of your 2d and 3d assets. Prepare yourself to go back. Take some masterclasses. Volunteer as a virtual artist-in-residence at a local school. Be creative, remain engaged.

What type of skills will young designers need?

Rich Youmans

Chief Communications Officer & Publisher, MJSA

The greatest skills that any graduate can have, not just those entering the jewelry industry, are flexibility and the ability to continuously learn new practices and procedures. For those who want to start their own businesses, a foundation in business/marketing practices will always be helpful. For bench jewelers, good hand-eye coordination is a must, but they must also take the time to learn their craft: to be able to set a gemstone without fear of it coming loose, for instance, and to do so quickly (if they're in a production shop). There are a few good schools dedicated to these skills, but many times the true learning must come through on-the-job experience.

For designers, the computer-assisted design has taken a growing role, but it doesn't compensate for that foundational knowledge: how to create designs that can hold gems securely, how to protect fragile gems, and how to ensure the piece can be manufactured, and a customer can wear the piece comfortably.

Caster may need to develop an understanding of basic metallurgical principles -- e.g., how metal flows, cools, and shrinks—but again, that can be learned on the job.

More and more custom jewelers -- jewelers who work directly with customers to create personalized pieces of custom jewelry -- and for that, the ability to listen and to solicit a customer's tastes and preferences will be crucial.

What technical skills for a designer stand out to employers?

James Adler

Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts, Saint Peter's University

Through my own company. AdlerOaks Music Library, I have engaged artists for concert performances, collaborations, and for recording projects.
(a) First, and foremost, is the quality of the artist to be engaged or hired
(b) Do they possess the performing "chops?"
(c) Has the artist or performer prepared and learned the music, in advance of the first rehearsal, or run-through?
(d) Does he/she/they show up on time?
As they say, one gets a first chance to make a "first impression." The above-listed components will go into a hire.

What soft skills should all designers possess?

Eric Sung

Associate Professor, Providence College

Hard assets may assist job seekers to get one hired but soft skills are immensely critical for one to excel after once hired. Multiple studies confirm that higher ranking positions require increased portion of soft skills compared to hard or technical skills.
Considering the market trend change during and past COVID, where more jobs will require specialized skills with less human interaction, the needs of having someone with communication skills, conflict resolution and mediation skills, negotiation skills would be far more preferred. Knowing that large part of what some of the current jobs require us to do eventually will be assisted or entirely replaced by AI, the skills that may be unique to humans will gradually became more important. Other critical soft skills would be adaptability, foundational problem-solving skills with diversified perspective on matters. and relatability to the other thoughts.

What hard/technical skills are most important for designers?

Vibhavari Jani

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Ability to master various software: Revit, Rhyno, Sketchup, 3D rendering software (Enscape and Lunion), BIM.

Do you want to know more?

List of designer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a designer resume and required skills for a designer to have include:

Sketch
Customer Service
Graphic Design
CSS
HTML
PowerPoint
JavaScript
Revit
Adobe Photoshop
Design Concepts
Project Management
Adobe Illustrator
Aided Design
Adobe Creative Suite
Product Development

Design Projects
Web Design
Solidworks
Design Development
Adobe Indesign
Customer Specifications
Fine Arts
User Experience
Logo
XML
Product Design
Auto CAD
Design Process
Art Direction
Engineering Drawings

HVAC
Space Planning
Construction Drawings
Copywriting
Cad Cam
Windows
Design Drawings
Facebook
Diagramming
Tech Packs
R
Industrial Design
Market Research
Assembly Drawings
PC

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Zippia Careers
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Industry
Designer
Designer Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs