At cvapp.nz, we’re dedicated to helping Kiwi professionals expand their career potential. If you're a graphic designer seeking additional support and direction in creating an impressive cover letter, you've come to the right place! cvapp.nz offers resources and guidance to help you craft a compelling cover letter that will captivate potential employers. With our comprehensive cover letter guide, you can present your skills and experience in a way that stands out from the competition and increases your chances of landing your dream job. Sounds pretty good, right? Let’s get started!
Formatting your graphic design cover letter
Most cover letters typically follow specific formatting guidelines. While there can be some variation, the general format usually includes a header, an introduction, body paragraphs highlighting relevant experience and skills, and a closing paragraph summarising your interest and availability.
To begin, let’s get started on your cover letter header:
Cover letter header
Cover letter headers should include important contact information, such as your email address, phone numbers and any links to professional sites or platforms. The main goal of a cover letter header is to let employers know how to get in contact with you. In addition to providing contact details, the header also sets the tone and professional appearance of your cover letter. You can use a clean and professional header template to make sure it stands out from the crowd. At cvapp.nz, we’ve got a wide range of templates for all professionals: there’s something for everyone!
Keep in mind that while the main goal of the cover letter header is to provide your contact information, it's also important to pay attention to the overall structure and content of your cover letter. By customising it to match the specific job you're applying for and showcasing your qualifications, you increase your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.
Cover letter greeting
The main objective of your cover letter greeting is to set the stage for the rest of your cover letter, so it's important to keep your cover letter greeting brief and professional. By providing a polished and professional greeting, you establish yourself as a candidate who is committed to making a strong impression right from the start. In addition to being concise and professional, it also helps to personalise your greeting whenever possible. Addressing the recipient by name, if known, shows that you have taken the time to research and personalise your application. This attention to detail can make your cover letter greeting stand out and leave a lasting impression. You can use the traditional “Dear Mr. Williams,” or “Dear Ms. Elliot,” to politely address employers. Check out our customisable greeting example below!
Dear Mrs. West,
Cover letter introduction
Your cover letter introduction should be engaging and professional, highlighting to potential employers why you're the ideal candidate for the graphic design role. To begin, consider opening with a strong and compelling statement that immediately grabs the reader's interest. This could be a brief anecdote related to your passion for graphic design, a thought-provoking question about the industry, or a concise summary of your unique skills and experiences. By choosing an attention-grabbing introduction, you can quickly establish a connection with the employer and encourage them to continue reading. Next, focus on highlighting your qualifications and conveying why you are the ideal candidate for the role. Additionally, you may also like to include specific achievements or projects that demonstrate your expertise and showcase your ability to deliver outstanding design work. Since your introduction functions like a professional overview, you can elaborate and expand upon these details in your body paragraphs — read on!
The role of a graphic designer involves wearing many hats. Some days, you are the listening, supportive ear to clients who have a vision but are not sure how to bring this vision to life. Other days, you are the technician, using your technology skills to bring powerful ideas to life. However, every day as a graphic designer, you are a magician. You fashion new and exciting projects to life. You fill people with joy at each new result. Being a graphic designer brings me a tremendous amount of fulfillment and happiness. It would be an honour to bring this joy for service and creativity to Sunrise Designs.
Cover letter body paragraphs
Your body paragraphs are the most important section of your cover letter, and you’ll want to emphasise any relevant skills, certifications, or specialised knowledge you possess that directly align with the requirements of the graphic design position you’re applying for. Expanding on the introduction, you can provide a brief overview of your background and experience. Highlight any relevant education, degrees, or design courses you have completed to establish yourself as a well-qualified candidate. Additionally, you can also mention any internships, freelance projects, or previous employment where you were able to apply your design skills effectively. By providing a concise summary of your professional journey, you demonstrate a solid foundation and continuous growth in the graphic design field. Remember to tailor your cover letter intro to each specific job application, drawing attention to the aspects of your background that are most relevant to the position. Doing so indicates a genuine interest in the company and shows that you have taken the time to understand their needs and requirements. Overall, by creating compelling and well-crafted cover letter body paragraphs, you'll increase your chances of grabbing the attention of potential employers and positioning yourself as the ideal candidate they are seeking.
Working with Sunrise Designs would be the perfect opportunity to bring magic to life for your clients. I have attached my graphic design portfolio for your convenience. In this portfolio, you will see my designs I completed as a freelance graphic designer, including many designs that have been nominated or received awards in the New Zealand Graphic Design Awards. Among these includes my project "Al Natural" which received the Crossman Kennedy Award for most innovative design. Each of my designs in the "Kaitiaki" section of my portfolio draws on inspiration from New Zealand's cultural and natural environment. I hope you enjoy reviewing my projects and designs.
In addition to my extensive experience working with clients and New Zealand-based companies, I also graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2013 with a Bachelor of Communications. My degree allows me to communicate effectively with customers and clients and incorporate key principles into my work, including strong time-management and project management skills. I have also completed various UX and UI online courses through The University of Auckland.
Conclusion and signature
When concluding your cover letter, it is essential to reinforce why you are the perfect candidate for the position. This final paragraph provides you with an opportunity to reiterate your qualifications, unique graphic design skills and experiences, leaving a lasting impression on the hiring manager.
Consider concluding your cover letter with a closing statement that reflects professionalism and respect. Phrases such as "best wishes," "ngā mihi," "yours sincerely," or "kind regards" convey a sense of appreciation and courtesy towards the reader. Choose an appropriate closing that aligns with the tone and context of your cover letter, reinforcing your commitment to maintaining a professional rapport and leaving a positive impression.
Remember that the farewell you choose is important, but it is only one element of a comprehensive cover letter. Throughout the entire document, maintain a formal tone, avoid cliches, and exhibit attention to detail through flawless grammar and punctuation. Your aim is to convince the hiring manager that you are not only highly qualified for the position but also a professional and reliable individual they would like to have on their team.
If you have any questions about my career or portfolio, please let me know. I would love the opportunity to discuss my career with you and discover ways to add value to the Sunrise Designs team.
Ngā mihi,
Zion Robbins