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Table of contents

Illustrator cover letter example
Related cover letter examples
Cover letter template for an illustrator
Format your illustrator cover letter
How to write a cover letter for an illustrator
Add a matching resume
Key takeaways
Resources to help prepare for your interview

As an illustrator, you use your creative skills to bring your artistic vision to life. Whether it’s children’s literature or high-concept art projects, a great illustrator captures the viewer’s eye and stimulates the imagination. That’s a pretty big task! That’s why we want to help you focus on the creative stuff. Building your job application shouldn’t be a distraction that hinders your artistic process.

You need a strong resume to convince employers that your artistic skills are up to snuff, and if you haven’t built one yet you may want to start there. But once you’re ready to pursue a specific role, a great cover letter is the next step. Our guide will help you write a persuasive letter that highlights the best of your technique and style.

Our guide includes:

A sample cover letter from a successful illustrator.
A customizable cover letter template that you can edit to use for your needs.
Expert advice to help you start your letter on the right foot.
Effective strategies to ensure your cover letter is as distinctive and creative as your work.

Looking for a starting point for your cover letter? Our Cover Letter Builder is the perfect tool to quickly get your document together! With the help of our expert tips and job-specific content suggestions you can add with a click, building a cover letter that showcases your skills won’t be hard.

Illustrator cover letter example

Sample illustrator cover letter

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What makes this a great sample cover letter for an illustrator?

Personable
A unique and personal tone makes this cover letter stand out and communicates this candidate’s style as an artist.
Active language
This cover letter uses strong action-oriented language that portrays the candidate as an active and energetic worker and artist.
Neat style
An illustrator deals with visuals for a living! Your cover letter must be visually strong to show potential employers your judgment and eye for organization.

Cover letter template for an illustrator

Copy, paste and edit this cover letter template to help get your letter started.

Nancy Rogers
Des Moines, IA 50310
555-555-5555
example@example.com

Mar. 10, 2025

Gary Alexander
Recruiter
Pakt
24 State Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50310

Dear Mr. Alexander,

I am writing to express my interest in the Illustrator position at Pakt. With over 14 years of experience in the illustration industry, I have honed my ability to create captivating and visually stunning artwork that engages and delights audiences. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique artistic vision and professional skills to your esteemed company.

In my latest role, I successfully led the redesign of our flagship magazine, resulting in a 25% increase in subscriber retention and a 30% boost in online engagement. My ability to seamlessly blend traditional and digital illustration techniques allowed me to create compelling visuals that resonated with a diverse audience. Additionally, I spearheaded a cross-departmental initiative to streamline the illustration process, reducing production time by 20% and cutting costs by 15%.

In addition to my professional experience, I bring a strong foundation in fine arts and a passion for continuous learning. I recently completed a specialized course in advanced digital illustration techniques, further enhancing my ability to produce innovative and high-quality artwork. My commitment to staying current with industry trends and technological advancements ensures that I can contribute fresh and relevant ideas to your team.

I am particularly drawn to Pakt because of your reputation for fostering creativity and innovation. Your commitment to producing environmentally conscious products aligns with my personal values and inspires me to be part of a company that makes a positive impact. I am confident that my artistic skills, combined with my dedication to excellence and sustainability, make me a perfect fit for your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills and passion can contribute to the continued success of Pakt. Please find my resume attached for your review. I am available at your earliest convenience for an interview.

Portfolio upon request.

Sincerely,

Nancy Rogers

Format your illustrator cover letter

As an illustrator, we don’t have to tell you that the visual impact of your cover letter is important. The way your information is formatted and structured has a big effect on how it’s perceived. Showcase your visual style by making smart and simple formatting choices.

Here are some tips to help you format your illustrator cover letter:

Font style and size: Use more basic professional fonts like Arial or Calibri. For the best readability, your font size should be between 10-12 points.
Spacing: For a clean and inviting appearance that’s simple to read, maintain consistent spacing throughout your cover letter, ideally with line spacing between 1.15 and 1.5.
Margins and alignment: Align your text to the left and use 1-inch margins to ensure your content is well-organized and easy to follow.

Choose an illustrator cover letter template

Create your cover letter

The first impression you make on potential employers is often through your cover letter, so you should pick a template that is both professional and fitting for an illustrator. We recommend a design that is simple yet allows room for your creativity to shine. Save the complicated designs for your illustration portfolio, but don’t be afraid to include a pop of color to capture the hiring manager’s eye.

Explore our selection of cover letter templates designed to showcase your artistic skills and eye for detail. Choose one that harmonizes with your resume template to convey thoroughness and polish.

How to write a cover letter for an illustrator

Many candidates shy away from writing a cover letter, but trust us — the extra effort is absolutely worth it. Your cover letter presents an invaluable opportunity to take the broad information on your resume and hone in on the specific skills and projects that you’re most interested in showing off for the role in question.

By following a few key steps, you can write a cover letter that shows how well you fit the role you’re applying to.

Step 1

Review the illustrator job description

A great starting point is to customize your cover letter for the specific position. Personalizing your letter shows your enthusiasm. You want employers to know that you’re genuinely interested in the role and excited to put in the effort to show them how suitable you are to take on the specific challenges of the position.

A custom cover letter also helps you pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to filter candidates. These systems filter candidates out by looking for keywords that represent the needs of the role. If your letter is full of appropriate keywords then it’s bound to pass through and stand out.

Step 2

Include your contact information in the header

It’s crucial to make it easy for the hiring team to contact you. Your cover letter’s header should include:

Your name.
City and state.
Phone number.
Email address.
A link to an illustration portfolio if you have one.

Pro tip

A professional needs a professional email address. If your current one is too personal or informal, make a new one using your name or initials.

Step 3

Address the hiring manager by name

Your cover letter should address the hiring manager who will be reading it. This makes the letter feel personalized and detailed.

If you can’t find a specific name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is an acceptable alternative.

Step 4

Introduce yourself in the first paragraph

Start your cover letter with an introduction that’s both short and touches on your most important details. Quickly highlight your most relevant experience and achievements, but save the specifics for the later body paragraphs of your cover letter.

Example opening paragraph for an illustrator with no experience:

I am thrilled to apply for the illustrator position at [company], as seen in [source]. With a strong foundation in visual storytelling and technical art skills, I am eager to bring my creativity and fresh ideas to enhance your team’s projects.

Example opening paragraph for an experienced illustrator:

I am excited to express my interest in the illustrator role at [company]. With over [number] years of experience in creating compelling visuals and a proven track record of successful projects, I am well-prepared to contribute effectively to your team’s creative endeavors.

Pro tip

Your introduction shouldn’t be longer than a few sentences. If there’s a specific detail you want to highlight, do so briefly.

Step 5

Explain why you’re the best candidate for the role

The body paragraphs of your illustrator cover letter are the perfect place to elaborate on why your artistic skills and experience make you the ideal candidate for the role.

Focus on:

Detailing relevant experience: Share examples of projects where you’ve successfully translated concepts into compelling visual representations. Include specific instances where your artwork led to increased engagement or enhanced the storytelling of a project. Highlight your ability to work across various media and your dedication to artistic excellence.
Highlighting your skill set: Illustration demands a unique blend of hard and soft skills, including proficiency in digital drawing tools, a strong sense of composition and an eye for color and detail. Discuss how you’ve put those skills to work on previous projects.
Addressing unique qualifications or experiences: If you have specialized training, such as a degree in fine arts, or unique experiences, like collaborating with major brands or publishers, these can be useful assets to mention in your body paragraphs.

Example body paragraphs for an illustrator cover letter:

During my time at [company], I spearheaded the redesign of their children’s book series, which not only enhanced visual appeal but also increased reader engagement by 30%. My commitment to using adaptive digital illustration techniques helped in crafting images that were both age-appropriate and captivating.

In another role at [company], I collaborated with a team of graphic designers and marketers to create a promotional campaign that was visually cohesive across all platforms. My leadership in ensuring the artistic integrity and timely execution of the visuals was instrumental in the campaign’s success, receiving accolades from both the client and the target audience.

Step 6

Write your cover letter closing

Conclude your illustrator cover letter with a closing paragraph that:

Expresses your excitement about the position.
Demonstrates your readiness to take on the creative challenges of the role.
Invites further discussion in an interview.
Thanks the reader for considering your application.

Example closing paragraph for an illustrator cover letter:

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my creative vision and detailed illustrative skills to [company], contributing to your team’s success. I am confident in my ability to enhance your projects with high-quality visuals and fresh ideas. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my background, skills and passion for art align with your company’s needs. Thank you for considering my application.

Step 7

Sign off appropriately

End your cover letter with a professional signoff, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

Add a matching resume

Create your resume

Before sending your cover letter, make sure it aligns with your resume. If you need to update or create your resume, this is the perfect time to get started. Build a professional resume that outlines your artistic journey and skills, setting the stage for your cover letter. For guidance, examine some resume examples from professionals in creative fields.

If you need help writing a resume, our AI Resume Builder has your back. This tool provides professional content suggestions, formatting help and stylish templates that neatly match your cover letter. With these tools at your disposal, your resume can be finished quickly and easily.

Key takeaways

Explore illustrator cover letter examples

Start by reviewing some illustrator cover letter examples to get inspired. Seeing how other creative professionals craft their cover letters can spark ideas and guide you in developing your own.
Highlight essential skills for an illustrator

Focus on the core skills necessary for an illustrator, such as strong drawing abilities, proficiency in digital art tools and a knack for visual storytelling. These are important to producing captivating and effective illustrations.
Choose an appropriate illustrator cover letter template

Select a cover letter template that reflects your artistic style. If you’re unsure where to begin, a clean, well-organized template is always a safe bet, allowing your artwork and experience to stand out.
Keep your introductory paragraph concise

Begin your letter by capturing the reader’s attention immediately. Introduce yourself and express your passion for illustration, along with your excitement about the specific job opportunity.
Compose detailed body paragraphs

In the body of your cover letter, provide specific examples of your illustration projects. Refer to the job listing for keywords to help you decide which artistic skills and experiences to highlight.
Ensure appropriate formatting

Your cover letter should showcase your attention to detail. Use professional fonts, maintain consistent margins and spacing, and proofread so that errors and typos don’t present any distractions.

Resources to help prepare for your interview

Last Updated: July 10, 2024

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.