Enhance your art/design job application with a compelling cover letter! We’ve got a wide range of cover letter samples, examples, and templates tailored for art and design professionals, whether you’re an experienced senior, seeking an internship, or a student. Learn how to write an art/design cover letter that sets you apart.
Julia Belak Certified Professional Résumé Writer Last updated: May 14, 2024 Average: 4.9 ( 129 votes )
Pave your way into the vibrant art and design world with an impressive cover letter. While your portfolio speaks volumes about your artistic flair, it's your art and design cover letter that portrays your passion and experience within the industry.
Dive in as we unravel the art of crafting a compelling cover letter with insightful tips, inspiring examples, and handy templates.
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Drafting a cover letter for art and design positions is more than just stringing together a persuasive narrative. The formatting of your cover letter can make a huge difference in its readability and overall impact.
Here are some handy tips to help format your cover letter effectively:
Remember, your cover letter doesn't just express your interest and qualifications, it gives employers a glimpse of your attention to detail. Good formatting ensures your content doesn't fall prey to poor presentation. It creates a visually comfortable reading experience, allowing your words and skills to shine.
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The first of the key components of any cover letter is a properly formatted header and headline.
The cover letter header forms the top part of your document and should include necessary details like your name, contact information, and relevant employer details.
The cover letter headline is a succinct yet compelling one-liner that serves to both introduce your application purpose and immediately capture the employer's attention.
To guide you on properly formatting these vital sections of your cover letter, here's a little more detail and examples:
There are standard components that should consistently be included in every cover letter header:
Let's take a look at two contrasting examples:
From: Lucas Shaw | lucasbestguy@hotmail.com | Canada
To: Jane Doe
Why does it fall short? The email address doesn't convey professionalism; a simple firstname.lastname format is typically recommended. Also, just stating 'Canada' for the location is too broad and lacks precision; including the city is helpful. What's more, there is no phone number provided, which is an essential piece of contact information. For Jane Doe, her company name and department are missing, making it unclear to whom exactly the letter is addressed. This header could hinder Lucas' credibility and the overall impact of his cover letter.
From: Lucas Shaw | lucas.shaw@kickresume.com | +8745678965 | Toronto, Canada | linkedin.com/in/lucas-shaw
To: Jane Doe
HR Depatment
Summit Entertainment
9 Melrose St, 986-986, Toronto, Canada
Why does this header hit the mark? The provided header is well-formatted and complete. Lucas Shaw has included all crucial details — his name, email, contact number, location, and a professional LinkedIn profile. Jane Doe's details are similarly correctly formatted, and Lucas has specified her role, making the message personal.
Pro tip: Remember to spruce up your LinkedIn profile before directing potential employers to it. It should reflect your current skills, experiences, and strongest achievements. Treat it as your online resume and ensure its sparkling before you share that link.
If you can't be bothered with formatting, our cover letter builder takes care of it for you, plus it gives your letter a stunning design.
The headline of your cover letter sets the tone for the rest of your narrative. It should immediately grab the reader's attention and succinctly speak to your profession and value proposition.
A strong headline:
Applying for Art Job at Your Company
Why is it so bad? This headline falls short because it's too vague and lacks any personal or professional specifics. It doesn't give the hiring manager any reason to delve into the rest of your cover letter.
Experienced Visual Artist and Graphic Designer Seeking Innovative Design Role at Creative Corp
Why is it good? This headline succeeds where the weak example didn't. It clearly states the candidate's profession, highlights their key skills, identifies the job they're applying for, and expresses their career aspirations. It simply lays a solid foundation for the rest of the letter.
Remember, your headline is like a movie trailer — it needs to distill your story without giving away the whole plot. Use it to ignite interest and guide the employer smoothly into the narrative of your professional journey.
Now, it's time to talk about how to start a cover letter. Similar to every cover letter, people in the art and design field should dedicate the first few sentences to explaining why this job caught their eye.
Here are two strategies to get you started:
1. Demonstrating industry knowledge: Show that you have your finger on the pulse of the sector. Employers appreciate a candidate who's well-versed in trends and can bring fresh perspectives to their workspace. Here's how you can put this into words:
As a passionate film critic who values innovative thinking, I was drawn to XYZ Company's recent reviews that seamlessly integrate theoretical analysis with contemporary themes. I am excited by the prospect of contributing to a team that is at the forefront of the industry's evolution.
2. Alignment with personal values: Understanding the company's values and illustrating the connection between them and your own views sends a convincing message to employers. Here's an example:
A lifelong advocate for environmental preservation, I am inspired by ABC Media House's dedication to raising awareness about ecological issues through their compelling nature documentaries. As an experienced 3D animator, I would be thrilled to contribute to the ambitious goal of influencing popular perception regarding the environment.
Remember, your mission is to grab the reader's attention and make them eager to learn more about you. So, pick up your writing tools and craft an introduction that makes them think, "This is who we've been looking for!"
Naturally, in the field of art & design, having a long chronological list of experiences isn't the sole factor that sets you apart; it's how you use your experiences to illustrate that you're the perfect fit for the job.
Here's how you can show your past experience in a compelling way:
During my time at ABC Design Studio, I worked on many projects, doing lots of design stuff. By doing many things, I gained much experience in everything from logos to websites. I also did freelance work that was really cool.
The problem with this example? It's vague, lacks specifics, and does nothing to highlight the unique skills or initiatives of the job applicant. A laundry list of tasks without any demonstration of impact or tangible results is generally insufficient to catch an employer's attention. What's more, the language used is far too casual for a professional document like a cover letter — using words like "stuff" and "cool" lacks professionalism and does not instill confidence.
In my previous role at XYZ Creative, a substantial challenge was to revamp an outdated brand image for one of our top clients. Applying my unique approach to digital design (Point 1), I undertook an intensive redesign process, which not only modernized the brand but also resulted in a 30% increase in their customer engagement within three months.
This particular project required extensive knowledge about evolving design trends, which I had acquired over time transitioning from traditional graphic design to specializing in digital and interactive designs (Point 2).
Moreover, my contribution as a motion graphics designer to an indie film on a freelance basis (Point 3) provided an exploration of my design skills in a cinematic context. This experience allowed me to bring a unique, fresh perspective to commercial design projects, further diversifying my portfolio and demonstrating my adaptability.
Why is this example strong? It has impact because it details a problem (outdated brand image), the solution (intensive redesign process) and the direct result (30% increase in client's customer engagement). These specific details paint a clear picture of the applicant's competency and effectiveness in the field.
If cover letter writing is not your forte, you can give our cover letter writer tool a try, which utilizes AI to assist in writing the initial draft of your cover letter.
If you're aiming for a job in art and design world, showcasing your creativity and ideas isn't enough. You also need to be familiar with the nitty-gritty technical details. It's these hard skills that translate your great ideas into fantastic finished products.
Here's how to do it in an art and design cover letter:
1. Point out your tool proficiency: It's a given that you'll need expertise in certain tools and software based on your creative role. Highlight that you're not just familiar but proficient with more than one of them. For instance, you can emphasize why you prefer some programs for certain tasks and others for different activities.
At ABC Architects, sketching by hand was my starting point—it added that personal feel to the blueprints. However, when it was time for detailed construction plans, I found Autodesk Revit to be extraordinarily helpful for its detailed elements and realistic 3D models. That being said, for complex structural calculations and analysis, nothing compared to the precision of the STAAD.Pro software. Switching between these programs ensured my designs were not only visually appealing but structurally sound too.
2. Highlight your technical know-how: Creating beautiful things is one thing, but making sure they function well is a whole different story. Having the technical or practical knowledge to ensure your creations not only look good but also work well is key in art & design careers.
The visuals I create are not only pleasing to the eye but are designed with user experience in mind. I understand that good design should simplify and enhance interaction, not hinder it. This is why my designs are always user-tested and refined based on the feedback, making sure they’re as functional as they are aesthetic.
3. Celebrate your artsy side: Whether you love to doodle initial ideas on paper or have an eagle-eye for choosing the right color combinations, these are strengths worth mentioning.
I find that sketching initial ideas by hand lets my creativity flow better — it's random and loose. Plus, I have a knack for choosing beautiful color combinations. Give me a mood, and I'll translate it into color in a snap.
When creating your cover letter in the field of art and design, highlighting your critical, practical, and soft skills can be your game changer.
When you pull together your art and design cover letter, remember to strike a balance. Share experiences that display your unique journey and crucial skills gained along your professional path. Make sure to include a blend of technical know-how, creative capacity, and interpersonal skills.
Whether you've gained recognition in your field, taken part in public exhibits, or contributed to major collaborations, it's these accolades that can set you apart in the art and design industry. And you should definitely include these in your cover letter.
What accomplishments can you mention in an art & design cover letter? Here are a few examples:
As an Interior Designer, I’ve had several proud moments. My workspace design for 'TechX' earned a ‘Best Office Design’ award in 2022, a notable recognition in our field. A residential project I led was featured in the widely-respected 'House and Home' magazine, reaching a broad audience. I also had the unique opportunity to work closely with renowned architect John Doe, learning top-notch sustainable design practices. My signature stamp in blending comfort and sophistication equally has brought me commissions from high-profile clients, which serve as a testament to my expertise.
Showcasing your achievements adds weight to your cover letter. Demonstrate how you've excelled in your field and gained recognition. It's these accomplishments that can set you apart from others.
The difference between a cover letter vs a resume is that a cover letter provides you with the opportunity to delve deeper.
It's a space for storytelling, where you can open up about your projects, the imagination that powered them, and the dedication that drove them to fruition.
Here's what you can say about your projects:
A project I'm proud of is the 'BookWorm's website redesign. The idea was to replicate the experience of a physical bookstore online. I started with sketches, built a user experience map, made design iterations, and took user feedback. The challenge was balancing an eye-catching design with ease of navigation. Using a clean, intuitive design approach, we successfully boosted user engagement by 30% post-launch.
When your projects tell a story, they help to paint a more detailed picture of you as a professional and as a potential team member. Dive deep, be genuine, and provide a journey worth following.
