Package Designer Resume examples & templates

Written by: 

Adam

Build Your Resume Now
Copyable resume examples

Copyable Package Designer Resume examples

Ever wondered who's behind those eye-catching cereal boxes or sleek smartphone packages that make you want to buy on sight? Package designers blend creativity with strategic thinking to transform ordinary products into must-have items. It's a field where art meets commerce—where your designs might be handled by thousands (or millions!) of consumers daily. And right now, it's evolving faster than ever, with sustainability driving major industry shifts. A recent study by the Packaging Manufacturers Association found that 78% of brands increased their budgets for sustainable packaging design in the past year, creating exciting new challenges for designers who can think outside the conventional box.

Today's package designers need diverse skills: visual design chops, materials knowledge, manufacturing awareness and increasingly, digital expertise as augmented reality packaging gains traction. Whether you're creating structural prototypes for a luxury perfume bottle or designing graphics for mass-market snack foods, this career rewards those who can balance practical constraints with bold creativity. As consumers become more environmentally conscious and brands seek to differentiate themselves on crowded shelves, package designers who can innovate while respecting both planet and profit will find themselves in particularly high demand.

Junior Package Designer Resume Example

Jenna Williamson

Denver, CO 80205 • (720) 555-8914 • jenna.williamson@email.com • linkedin.com/in/jennawilliamson

Junior package designer with hands-on experience in consumer goods and beverage packaging. Blend of technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite with practical knowledge of production constraints. Skilled at translating brand stories into packaging that connects with target audiences. Eager to grow in a creative environment where I can continue developing my structural and visual design capabilities.

EXPERIENCE

Junior Package Designer – Mountain View Brewing Co. (Denver, CO)

March 2022 – Present

  • Design seasonal beer can labels and 6-pack carriers for craft brewery’s rotating collection, resulting in 17% increase in off-premise sales
  • Collaborate with marketing team to develop cohesive packaging systems that maintain brand identity while differentiating product lines
  • Create technical dielines and mockups for presentation to clients and production teams
  • Manage packaging design projects from concept to production, ensuring all deadlines are met while staying within budget constraints

Design Intern – Spark Package Design Studio (Boulder, CO)

September 2021 – February 2022

  • Assisted senior designers with concept development for CPG clients, including snack foods and personal care products
  • Built physical prototypes and mockups for client presentations using various materials and techniques
  • Conducted competitive research to identify packaging trends and opportunities in retail environments
  • Learned production processes by visiting printing facilities and attending press checks with senior staff

Graphic Design Assistant (Part-time) – Campus Marketing Department, Colorado State University

January 2020 – May 2021

  • Created promotional materials for campus events, including posters, brochures, and social media graphics
  • Developed basic packaging concepts for university-branded merchandise sold in campus bookstore
  • Collaborated with student organizations to design materials that adhered to university brand guidelines

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design – Colorado State University

Graduated: May 2021

Relevant Coursework: Package Design, Typography, Brand Identity, Production Techniques, Sustainable Materials

Senior Project: Redesigned packaging system for local honey producer using eco-friendly materials

CERTIFICATIONS

Sustainable Packaging Design Certificate – Packaging School (Online)

Completed April 2022

SKILLS

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
  • 3D visualization software (Cinema 4D basics)
  • Dieline creation
  • Physical prototyping
  • Structural packaging design
  • Production knowledge (printing processes, materials)
  • Typography & color theory
  • Brand identity systems
  • Packaging sustainability principles
  • Basic photography for mockup creation

PORTFOLIO

Online portfolio: www.jennawilliamson.com

Physical portfolio available upon request

Mid-level Package Designer Resume Example

Jessica Kim

Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8924 | jkim.design@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jessicakim-design

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Creative Package Designer with 5+ years of experience developing innovative packaging solutions that balance brand identity, functionality, and sustainability. Skilled in translating marketing briefs into compelling visual concepts that increase shelf appeal and brand recognition. Known for collaborating effectively across departments to bring designs from concept to production while maintaining quality and meeting tight deadlines.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Package Designer – Vertex Creative Group, Chicago, IL (March 2021 – Present)

  • Lead package design projects for 6 major CPG clients, increasing shelf visibility by an average of 27% according to client market research
  • Developed eco-friendly packaging redesign for TreeLine Organics that reduced material usage by 31% while maintaining structural integrity
  • Mentor 2 junior designers and provide art direction on approximately 14 projects per quarter
  • Created innovative unboxing experience for Luxe Cosmetics’ holiday collection, contributing to 43% YOY sales increase
  • Collaborate with marketing teams, production managers, and vendors to ensure designs meet brand standards while staying within budget constraints

Package Designer – Brightbox Studios, Chicago, IL (June 2019 – February 2021)

  • Designed packaging for diverse product categories including food, beverages, and personal care items
  • Revitalized outdated packaging for Morning Brew Coffee, resulting in 18% increase in market share over 9 months
  • Managed 7-12 concurrent design projects while consistently meeting all deadlines
  • Pitched successful seasonal packaging concepts for Sweetland Bakery’s limited edition product lines (Halloween themes sold out in 3 weeks!)
  • Worked closely with production team to troubleshoot print issues and ensure color accuracy across various substrate materials

Junior Package Designer – NorthStar Brands, Minneapolis, MN (August 2018 – May 2019)

  • Assisted senior designers with concept development and revisions for household products division
  • Created technical dielines and mock-ups for client presentations and production team reference
  • Maintained brand consistency across packaging families while adapting designs to different product sizes
  • Participated in brainstorming sessions that generated new packaging concepts for eco-friendly product line

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design – Columbia College Chicago (2018)
Concentration in Packaging Design • Senior Showcase Award Winner

Sustainable Packaging Design Certificate – Packaging School (2020)

SKILLS

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) – Advanced
  • 3D Rendering & Prototyping (KeyShot, Dimensions)
  • Structural Design & Dielines
  • Sustainable Materials Knowledge
  • Production & Print Processes
  • Typography & Color Theory
  • Photo Art Direction
  • Brand Identity Development
  • Packaging Compliance Standards
  • Project Management

PORTFOLIO

Online portfolio available at: www.jessicakim-design.com

Senior / Experienced Package Designer Resume Example

Maya Rodriguez

Chicago, IL • (312) 555-8721 • maya.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/mayarodriguez

Versatile Package Designer with 9+ years creating distinctive visual identities for CPG brands. Developed 45+ successful package designs that boosted shelf appeal and increased sales by up to 27%. Expert in sustainable packaging solutions that cut material costs while enhancing brand perception. Skilled at balancing creative vision with manufacturing constraints and regulatory requirements.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Package Designer | Concept Craft Design Group | Chicago, IL | March 2019 – Present

  • Lead package design initiatives for 12 national CPG clients with combined annual revenues of $3.2B
  • Spearheaded redesign of Sunrise Organics line that increased sales by 23% within first quarter after launch
  • Reduced packaging material costs by 19% through innovative structural design while maintaining premium brand perception
  • Manage junior designers and freelancers on high-profile projects, providing art direction and mentorship
  • Created sustainable packaging system for BrightDay Foods that won 2022 Packaging Innovation Award

Package Designer | Meridian Brands | Minneapolis, MN | June 2016 – February 2019

  • Designed packaging for 30+ SKUs across food, beverage and personal care categories
  • Collaborated with marketing team to develop cohesive visual identity for new product lines
  • Improved packaging production workflow by implementing digital asset management system that cut revision time by 33%
  • Created mock-ups and prototypes for client presentations and consumer testing

Junior Graphic Designer | Fresh Ideas Agency | Minneapolis, MN | August 2014 – May 2016

  • Assisted senior designers with package design projects for local and regional brands
  • Managed production files and prepared artwork for print vendors
  • Designed POS displays and in-store promotional materials for retail clients
  • Developed brand style guides and packaging templates to ensure consistency

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN | 2014

CERTIFICATIONS

Sustainable Packaging Coalition – Certificate in Sustainable Packaging Design | 2021
Adobe Certified Expert – Illustrator CC | 2018
Packaging & Dielines: The Designer’s Book of Packaging Dielines Course | 2017

SKILLS

  • Structural Package Design
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
  • 3D Rendering & Prototyping
  • Sustainable Materials Knowledge
  • Brand Identity Systems
  • Production Prepress
  • Packaging Dielines
  • Typography & Color Theory
  • Client Presentation
  • Project Management

SOFTWARE

Adobe Creative Suite, Esko Studio, SolidWorks, KeyShot, Figma, Asana

How to Write a Package Designer Resume

Introduction

Landing that dream package design job starts with a resume that showcases not just your creativity, but your technical skills and commercial awareness too. I've reviewed thousands of design resumes over my career, and the best ones strike that perfect balance between visual appeal and substance. Your resume needs to tell potential employers that you understand both the artistic and functional aspects of packaging—from shelf appeal to sustainability concerns.

Package design is unique because it sits at the intersection of art, marketing, and engineering. Make sure your resume reflects all these dimensions of your expertise.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable—after all, you're a designer! Hiring managers often spend just 6-8 seconds on initial resume screenings.

  • Length: Stick to 1 page for junior designers, 2 pages max for senior roles
  • Format: PDF only (preserves your layout and fonts)
  • Typography: Use 2 fonts maximum—one for headings, one for body text
  • White space: Leave breathing room—crowded layouts suggest poor design skills
  • Color: Minimal use of color (1-2 accent colors that reflect your personal brand)

Profile/Summary Section

Your professional summary should be 3-4 lines that capture your design approach, experience level, and specialized skills. This isn't where you say you're "passionate" about design—show it through specifics.

Example for mid-level designer: "Package designer with 5+ years creating structural and visual solutions for CPG brands. Specialized in sustainable materials and production-ready designs that reduced material waste by 17% while maintaining brand integrity. Experienced in both digital and physical prototyping."

Professional Experience

Focus on outcomes, not just responsibilities. Each bullet point should ideally follow this formula: Action + Context + Result.

  • Redesigned cereal packaging for MarketBrand's flagship product, resulting in 23% sales increase and reducing production costs by $0.12 per unit
  • Created dieline templates for 14 SKUs that streamlined production workflow, cutting design-to-production time from 9 days to 6
  • Collaborated with marketing team to develop seasonal packaging variants that boosted Q4 sales by $347K

For junior designers with limited experience, include internships, freelance work, and even strong student projects—but always frame them in terms of real-world application.

Education and Certifications

List your degree(s), but don't stop there. Package designers benefit from showing specialized training:

  • Sustainable Packaging Coalition certification
  • Adobe Creative Suite proficiency (especially Illustrator and Photoshop)
  • Structural design software skills (Esko ArtiosCAD, etc.)
  • Materials science courses or workshops
  • Relevant continuing education in sustainability practices

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems that scan resumes before human eyes ever see them. Include these terms (where truthful):

  • Technical: dielines, structural design, print production, CMYK, spot colors, mockups
  • Software: Adobe CC, Esko Suite, SketchUp, Blender, KeyShot
  • Materials: corrugate, paperboard, flexible film, rigid plastic, sustainable alternatives
  • Process: consumer testing, shelf impact, brand guidelines, production constraints

Industry-specific Terms

Demonstrate your expertise by naturally incorporating industry terminology:

  • Structural terms: primary/secondary packaging, substrate, dieline, glue flaps
  • Visual terms: shelf impact, billboard effect, hierarchy, brand block
  • Technical: barrier properties, sustainable materials, production constraints
  • Business: SKU rationalization, line extension, brand architecture

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Showing only the pretty stuff—packaging is functional first, decorative second
  • Ignoring commercial outcomes of your designs (nobody cares if it looks nice but didn't sell)
  • Including a photo of yourself (unless specifically requested)
  • Failing to mention production knowledge or material understanding
  • Using gimmicky resume formats that sacrifice readability for novelty

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for designing packaging for various products."

After: "Designed 27 SKUs across 3 product lines, developing structural solutions that reduced material costs by 14% while maintaining brand consistency and improving shelf presence in crowded retail environments."

Remember—your resume itself is a design project. It should demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly, organize information hierarchically, and balance form with function. Good luck!

Soft skills for your Package Designer resume

  • Cross-functional collaboration – comfortable working with marketing teams, production managers, and brand strategists to bring concepts to life
  • Client communication – able to explain technical design limitations to non-designers while maintaining creative vision
  • Constructive feedback reception – takes critique as an opportunity to refine concepts rather than personal criticism
  • Deadline prioritization – can juggle multiple packaging projects with competing timelines without sacrificing quality
  • Mentorship capabilities – guides junior designers through technical aspects of package construction and printing requirements
  • Visual storytelling – translates brand narratives into tangible package elements that connect with consumers

Hard skills for your Package Designer resume

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for package rendering and mock-ups
  • Structural design using CAD software (ArtiosCAD, ESKO)
  • 3D visualization tools (Cinema 4D, Rhino)
  • Die-line creation and technical specification development
  • Flexographic and lithographic printing process knowledge
  • Material science expertise (paperboard, plastics, sustainable alternatives)
  • Production workflow management from concept to shelf
  • Packaging compliance regulations (FDA, CPSC)
  • Dieline Studio and Fusion 360 for prototype development