Figma Exercise: How to design a resume
Start with this Figma file template.
As overviewed in the Hierarchy lesson, Gestalt principles, or the principles of grouping, are a psychological understanding of how we as humans interpret visual information and the elements that affect those perceptions.
Our minds identify patterns in what we see and experience. Psychologists group these perceptions into five categories: Proximity, Similarity, Continuity, Closure, and Connectedness. Since the original definition and categorization of Gestalt principles, there have been additional categories identified.
Through those principles, you can start structuring information on a page. You'll be creating the content of your CV — also known as a résumé — based on your work and education history.
Get all of your information written down before you attempt to find the right typeface, or structure the layout of your page. Content comes first because communicating the information of your CV is vital.
Once you have your information written, you can begin prioritizing and grouping it based on importance. Consider the Gestalt principles of Similarity and Proximity. If you have three previous jobs and two prior educational experiences, you'll create two separate groups visually by pairing the similar statements together: one group of job experiences and one group of educational experiences.
After organizing your CV in a layout that establishes a hierarchy and visual structure, experiment with typography to create an additional focus on elements of importance.
Note, the frame dimensions are set to A4 paper size. If you are in Canada or the United States you will want to switch your frame size.
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Are you writing your first CV? No worries!
A CV is a summary of your existing and previous professional skills and experiences. It is used to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills for a job opportunity. Consider it an advertisement for yourself by showing what you've accomplished in the past.
Make sure to include your name, email address, phone number, a link to your portfolio, education history, work experience, and relevant skills for the specific role and company you are applying. For now, don't create a logo or identity for yourself; you can show personality through typeface choices.
Do some research on the company, role, and team you are applying to, and tailor your CV to it. Put the most relevant work experience toward the top and give it prominence in your hierarchy. Each job entry should have some description of what work your accomplished and what your responsibilities entailed. Indicate a date range and company for each role.
Unless you have a few decades of work experience, limit your CV to one page.
When you have finished, ask a friend to review it for you.