CareersPOSITIVE AND

PRACTICAL CAREERS GUIDANCE

Designing a winning CVIllustration Level 5

Pauline AscroftCareers Team

Nov 2014

Do you want to…..

• Create illustrations• Commission/promote/ ‘know’

them• Teach illustration• Research illustrations• Branch out a little……..

Some future options?

Children’s book illustrator Medical illustrator/artist Forensic artist Archaeological illustrator Teaching /education Picture researcher In-house designer Design agency Concept artist Publishing/magazines/comics Greetings cards/posters Animation/computer games Web design

• Picture agencies• Self employment• Printing• Freelance• Advertising• Arts events work• Architectural illustrator• Art Therapy• Visual Merchandiser• Artist in residence• Postgrad

One size doesn’t fit all!

So we’ll look at:What information you could includeHow to target the CV towards the opportunityCreating a visual impactShowcasing your ‘portfolio’Daring to be different!

You could (should?)include….

• Contact details • Online portfolio link? Webpage? Blog?• Profile:3/4 punchy, focused selling points/aim(30 secs!)• Qualifications: Academic and additional?• Skills: What are you good at?• Experience: What to include?(Projects/Freelance)• Additional info: Published work/ awards/prizes?

Languages/licence?• Interests: can show another side to you• References/available on request

Choosing your style‘Conventional’

• 2 pages max• Plain paper• May include non-

illustration details/skills/experiences

• Logical ‘flow’ of information

• Few(if any) visuals/portfolio

• Standard typeface eg Arial

‘Creative’

• 1 or 2 pages….or 3D?• Use of colour• Focuses on creative skills and

experiences• Info can be presented

graphically• Includes visuals/link to

portfolio• More than one typeface?‘Alternative’?WebpageYou Tube CVMeet the real me

The end product…

Paper version:• typeface/colour/layout• spelling, grammar, punctuation• quality paper and print• envelopes and folds!On-line version:• make it accessible/easy to find detail• check privacy levels• ensure the links work and are current• example : http://www.stephenbiesty.co.uk/home.html

Cover letter/e mail

• Dear ‘Name’• Why you are writing with your CV• Why you are writing to them • Why they should consider you• Next step?• Thanks• Goodbye!

Portfolio tips

• Be selective• Make it accessible• Quality counts• Explain clearly• Strike a balance• Ask for feedback

Thanks to University of Lincoln Careers and Employability ‘Portfolio Advice’(Adapted)

Further information• Search Resources on ‘Creative’ for

advice and links to examples• www.artquest.org.uk Strong

advice for creatives• http://

community.ucreative.ac.uk/media/pdf/s/b/UCA-PersonalPromotion-2014.pdf Great booklet on promoting self/work

• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/creativeCVs.htm Writing a creative CV