> creative résumé > objective(s): Students will create an eye-popping, visually impacting résumé using current trends in graphics, color and typography. > curricular focus: This lesson emphasizes the graphic organization and presentation of information. It also focuses on effective typesetting, including font selection, size hierarchy, alignment and spacing. > specifications: save as: Resume_Lastname.ai dimensions: 8.5" x 11" or 11" x 8.5" mode: CMYK > instruction: discuss the traditional information categories - personal information name, address, phone number, email - objective/summary what highlights you as a person for this position? work habits, attitude, etc. explain what type of position you're looking for and your employment goals possibly include a snapshot of your qualifications - education provide address of school include GPA (if noteworthy), class rank (if noteworthy) and relevant courses - activities can be in and out of school- sports, clubs, organizations, volunteering - work experience provide employer, position and start and end date (month and year) - skills - awards and distinctions view and discuss examples of traditional and creative résumés standing out among a sea of cookie cutter, templated résumés is your top goal use effective typography, composition, color and graphics to make your résumé stand out > procedure: PLANNING step one: complete the Résumé Planner type exactly how you want it to appear in your final résumé you will copy and paste this into your art file step two: gallery tour look at successful creative résumés to see interesting design approaches that inspire you check out the Creative Résumé Examples folder as well as Résumé Projects step three: decide on mood how do you want your design to feel? the overall design should reflect the type of job you are applying for should it be playful? professional? contemporary? trendy? continued on page 3
> creative résumé IDEATION step one: decide on graphic style based on how you want your résumé to feel... examine each information element on your Résumé Planner for graphic opportunities remember: two sections must be presented as an infographic for example: a pie chart, timeline, bar graph, etc. BE CREATIVE! refer back to the Infographic lesson plan (L2-08 Infographic.pdf) for details check out the Infographic Resources folder in this lesson plan folder graphics for section headers? for example: a mortar board for education graphics for information? for example: a house for address or the logos for businesses you've worked for create thumbnail sketches of your various graphics and infographics approve with instructor step two: decide on fonts you need a distinct hierarchy of fonts and sizes to help organize content name: large and attention getting so you are easily remembered font selection clearly matches the overall mood of the résumé headers: should be subordinate to your name but clearly designate content areas can be a smaller version of your name font, a larger version of your info text, or a different font consider factors to make it stand out such as: size, weight, color, capitalization, etc. should be consistent in size throughout document exceptions can be made but must be approved with instructor information: must be a clearly legible body copy font (fonts intended to be easily read in smaller sizes) for example: Arial, Helvetica, Calibri, Myriad Pro, etc. should be consistent in size throughout document exceptions can be made but must be approved with instructor approve with instructor step three: decide on color palette what color will reinforce the overall mood you are trying to convey? refer to the MHSCG Color Guide on mhscomputergraphics.com go to Resources: Color Resources: Color Guide http://www.mhscomputergraphics.com/uploads/1/5/1/3/1513764/_mhscg_color_guide.pdf step four: decide on grid style see Grid Styles on page 7 will information elements occupy the entire designated box or be contained inside a screen? open box technique: information fills the entire area, creating an implied/invisible box itself the "box" is separated from other information elements by negative space or a divider trim line screen technique: information is contained inside a colored rectangle graphics and text usually fill an area one grid inside the edge of the rectangle mixed technique: both open and screened areas are used together continued on page 3
> creative résumé MOCK-UP step one: open and print Résumé Mock-up.pdf step two: decide on framing margins side framing margins are usually 2-3 grids top and/or bottom framing margins are often slightly larger (one grid) step three: decide on content arrangement carefully re-read Grid Design on page 6 map out your information element areas on the grid how big should each information element be? what shape? where do they go? remember: content dictates design! draw boxes that outline the areas for each section and label each step four: add graphics and text label all colors and treatments (transparency, gradation, styles, etc.) approve with instructor CREATE step one: set up Illustrator file set specifications name: Resume_Lastname size: letter width: 8.5 inches height: 11 inches orientation: vertical set up document turn on grid by going to View: Show Grid snap to grid by going to View: Snap to Grid step two: create grid lay in your boxes as they appear on your approved sketch step three: create composition remember- text must be kept to whole or half sizes check your composition with the requirements on the next page
> creative résumé > requirements: File: - file specifications are adhered to Information: - all résumé elements are included (see list under Instruction on page 1) any omissions must be approved by instructor Composition: - information elements are arranged in a manner that makes it easy to navigate for the reader - information elements align to 1/8" grid with all elements snapping perfectly to grid guides open elements - the framing margin is thick enough so that information elements do not crowd the edge of the document left and right margins are identical - internal spacing between information elements is consistent (usually one grid) the name may be a different internal spacing Text: - font selections reflect the overall mood of the composition - text has a clear hierarchy name is visually dominant headers are more noticeable and are consistent in size, style, alignment and color information is subordinate and in a highly legible font that is consistent in size, style, alignment and color - there are no spelling or grammatical errors in any text Graphics: - graphics are thematic (similar in style) and reinforce the overall mood if the composition - graphics help visually organize and present information at least two sections information must be presented visually (infographs) - graphics are clever and visually engaging without being distracting - color is used effectively to help organize content and unify the overall composition - photography [if used] is in focus and imaged effectively [color, contrast]
> résumé tips information objective/summary - keep it brief - explain what type of position you're looking for and your employment goals - another possibility is to put a summary statement [a snapshot of your qualifications] in this spot education - only include GPA and class rank if they are strong - include any AP or college classes volunteer/extra-curricular - these activities show you have qualities employers value - volunteering experience proves you are hard-working and reliable - being a student-athlete, member of an honor society or serving in a leadership position demonstrates commitment and leadership abilities work experience - include anything you've accomplished and that shows you are reliable and responsible - include summer jobs, internships and even things like regular babysitting gigs - list the dates you held each position and your job title and briefly describe your most important duties skills - you have valuable skills to offer an employer- include them! For example: knowledge of software, programming skills, second languages, video editing, blogging, etc. awards/distinctions - include team captaincy, contest awards, school honors (student of the month, perfect attendance), etc. writing style be consistent in your writing - most information should be limited to clear, short descriptions avoid complete sentences [except in your objective/summary] - keep verb tenses and punctuations the same use action verbs - for example: developed, managed, led, performed, created look at examples of good résumés look at more examples of good résumés graphics be consistent in your style - all graphics should look like they belong together be purposeful - don't just use a graphic for the sake of using a graphic; every thing you include should be for a reason - graphics should help present important information easily carefully select your color palette - keep it limited (1-3) using more colors than three is difficult and takes experience - think about using tones - consider how intensity affects visual presentation high intensities can make things more difficult to look at graphics can organize content [house for address, or cell phone for phone number] graphics can present information [bar graph, pie chart, timeline, etc.] you must have at least one usage of presenting information visually fonts show clear hierarchy as well as consistency name is visually dominant and creative; headers are bold and consistent; information is in highly legible font look at examples of strong creative résumés
> 1: grid design > what is grid design? Grid design is a process used by layout designers to help organize content on a page. Grid design breaks down the page into small, equal sections using vertical and horizontal lines (like a graph). A designer then creates boxes (or areas) for specific pieces of content. > what is the grid design process? 1. Analyze your content. Make decisions as to which elements are more important than others. How big will each section need to be? Name usually appears at the top or left side. 2. Place the boxes for each element. Label each box to make sure you plan for everything you need. Remember to have consistent internal spacing between boxes so information does not crowd each other (usually one grid width). 3. Place your actual elements in the selected boxes. It is critical that you understand that the box area you lay out includes the positive AND NEGATIVE SPACE. If you completely fill all of the boxes (little to no negative space) the brain will not be able to break dowen and deseminate the information effectively. > give elements S P A C E! You must give elements room to breath- room between each other (internal margins), and room from the edge of the document (framing margin). Internal margins are usually one grid space (though the name is often separated by more to help isolate it). Framing margins are usually 2-3 grids (with top and/or bottom margins often set larger than sides. NAME CONTACT WORK EXPERIENCE MISC EDUCATION INTERESTS MISC
> grid styles > open grid In this approach, information elements fill the entire "boxed" area, creating an imaginary rectangle with the content itself. This "implied" box is then separated from other information elements by either negative space or trim lines. > screened grid In this approach, information elements are contained within a visible rectangle, either outlined or filled. The graphics and text fill the rectangle, usually 1-2 grids in from each side. > mixed grid In this approach, information elements use a combination of open boxes and screens. > open grid example: > screened grid example:
> creative résumé example
> creative résumé example
> creative résumé examples
> creative résumé examples