Resume 1 - Best Practices
-
Check out the home page for a free download!
Some Examples of under-designed and over-designed resumes.
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to craft a clean yet effective resume suitable for any visual field. Whether you’re a graphic designer, architect, or artist!
Step 1: Set Up Your Resume Document
Use a tool like Adobe InDesign to create an 8.5x11-inch page for your resume.
Adjust margins to 0.625 inches to provide ample white space.
Step 2: Create Layout Guides
Use the "Layout" menu to create three columns for your layout, following the rule of thirds.
Here I am using 0.1667in. as the gutter spacing
Step 3: Design Your Title Block
Create a text box for your name, choosing a legible font.
Consider using a lighter font for your first name to create contrast.
I use Sofia Pro Light 48pt for the first name and Sofia Pro Medium 48pt for the last name.
Below your name, add your professional title (e.g., "Architectural Designer").
Here I use Sofia Pro Light 14pt font with 100 tracking units
Add your contact information, such as phone number and email, in a smaller font size.
Here I use Sofia Pro Light 10pt font with 50% opacity
Step 4: Highlight Your Experiences
Duplicate the title block (alt + drag to duplicate) and place it below with a smaller font size.
Add details of your work experience, including job title, company, and dates.
For Fonts I’m using Sofia Pro Semi Bold at 16pt and 100 tracking units for the Section titles
Sofia Pro Semi Bold 12pt for the subheadings
Sofia Pro Light 10pt with 50% opacity for the duration
Sofia Pro Light 10pt with 75% opacity for the body text
Step 5: Incorporate Education
Duplicate the title block and create a new section for your education.
Include details such as the name of the institution, degree earned, and graduation date.
Briefly mention any honors or relevant coursework.
Step 6: Showcase Recognitions and Awards
Create a section for recognitions, awards, or publications.
List any significant achievements, such as winning design competitions.
Use this section to pique the reader's interest in your portfolio.
Step 7: Highlight Skills
Create a section for skills and categorize them by years of experience.
Avoid graphical progress charts; instead, list the software and skills you excel in.
Align your skills with your work experiences to reinforce your qualifications.
Step 8: Include Hobbies and Activities
Add a section for hobbies and extracurricular activities.
This can provide a glimpse into your personality and interests.
Ensure consistency in font style and size throughout the resume.
Step 9: Adjust Layout and Spacing
Fine-tune the spacing and layout to ensure readability.
Use InDesign's flexibility to customize the placement of text and sections.
Maintain a balance between text and white space for an appealing design.
Step 10: Review and Proofread
Carefully proofread your resume for typos and errors.
Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.
Seek feedback from peers or mentors to improve your resume further.
Step 11: Save and Export
Save your resume document in a format (e.g., PDF) suitable for sharing.
Keep both a digital and a printed copy of your resume for different purposes.
By following these steps and utilizing Adobe InDesign, you can create a visually appealing architectural resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and experiences in a clean and concise manner. Remember to customize the content and design to suit your unique background and preferences.
