How to Write a Standout Letter of Recommendation for a Graphic Designer

When a graphic designer is applying for a new job or program, a well-written letter of recommendation can help give them an edge over other applicants. As their employer, colleague, professor, or other personal connection, your letter of recommendation allows you to advocate for the designer’s talent, skills, and fit for the role.

Crafting a compelling letter takes thought and care. You want to highlight the designer’s strongest qualifications while also keeping the letter honest and sincere. Follow these tips to write an outstanding letter of recommendation for a graphic designer.

1. Specify Who You Are and Your Relationship

Start the letter by stating who you are and explaining your relationship to the graphic designer Mention specifics like

• Your name, job title, and company
• How you know the designer (colleague, employee, student, etc.)
• How long you’ve known/worked with the designer

This establishes your credibility upfront. As the reader learns more about the designer from your letter, they’ll know it comes from an informed source.

2. Note the Purpose of the Letter

After your opening introduction, specify the reason you’re writing the letter. You might say:

• This letter is recommending Amy Smith for the Graphic Designer role at XYZ Company.
• I am writing in support of Chris Thompson’s application to the Master of Fine Arts program at University of ___.
• I am happy to write this letter recommending Hannah Jordan, who is applying for a graphic design internship at 123 Designs Studio.

Giving context around the letter and role or program the designer is pursuing is helpful for the reader

3. Open With a Positive Statement

Before diving into details, briefly open your letter with 1-2 sentences praising the designer. You might say something like:

• Chris is an exceptionally creative and dedicated graphic designer.
• It has been a pleasure to have Hannah as a student in our graphic design program.
• Amy has been an invaluable member of our marketing team over the last four years.

This makes an immediate strong impression which you can then back up throughout the letter.

4. Describe Their Relevant Skills and Qualities

This section is the meat of your letter – share specific examples that showcase the designer’s talents, abilities, work ethic, and personality. Talk about strengths that directly relate to the role or program they are pursuing. Some details you may mention include:

• Technical skills – proficiency with design software, coding languages, photography, animation, etc. Mention specific programs they know.

• Design expertise – color theory skills, typography knowledge, page layout capabilities, etc.

• Style – the ability to produce works in both print and digital mediums, their brand design aesthetic, use of particular artistic techniques, etc.

• Work samples – describe 1-2 of their best portfolio pieces, their role in those projects, and what specifically impressed you about their work.

• Work ethic – detail their productivity, time management, ability to work independently and collaborate on teams, meeting tight deadlines, etc.

• Creativity – note imagination and ingenuity they bring to projects, problem-solving skills, innovation, and talent for out-of-the-box thinking.

• Communication abilities – discuss verbal or written skills, presentation abilities, ability to persuade clients, clearly explain concepts, etc.

• Leadership – their initiative, motivating team members, leading projects effectively, ability to delegate or direct groups, etc.

• Passion – their excitement and engagement with design work, eagerness to take on challenges, level of care and persistence they bring to projects.

5. Note Any Growth You’ve Observed

Mentioning the designer’s professional or skill growth during your time together adds another dimension to your letter. You might say:

• When Jo first started here, she was quite shy presenting work to clients. It’s been remarkable to see her blossom into a confident, persuasive presenter who can actively guide clients toward making the best design decisions.

• Tony lacked confidence in his illustration skills initially. But he has pushed himself to improve tremendously in this area over the past two years. I was blown away by the full-page editorial illustrations he completed for our last magazine issue.

• Marcus has shown so much growth in his knowledge of branding and marketing principles during this program. His case study portfolio really reflected mastery of strategic design considerations we aim to teach our students.

6. Paint a Full Picture With Personal Stories

Your letter will come to life if you tell brief anecdotes that give personal examples of the designer’s talents and character. Think of small stories that convey their work ethic, creativity, strengths under pressure, problem-solving, or other assets.

For instance, you might describe a time when the designer:

• Handled an unexpected last-minute client change with professionalism and poise
• Came up with an innovative solution others hadn’t thought of to solve a design challenge
• Put in extra hours or effort without being asked to meet a tight launch deadline
• Created a design so effective it led to measurable business results for a client
• Assisted colleagues and led a team project to success despite project obstacles

These snapshots help the letter feel well-rounded and persuasive by offering specific evidence of the designer’s abilities.

7. Express Your Wholehearted Endorsement

Wrap up your letter with a strong statement of recommendation. You want the reader to sense your sincere enthusiasm and confidence in the designer without reservations.

A few examples of concluding endorsement sentences:

• I highly recommend Joanna for this position without reservation. She has exactly the combination of design expertise and strong strategic thinking skills your Creative Director role demands.

• Samuel will bring invaluable design skills and experience to your team. It is my pleasure to give him my strongest endorsement.

• I believe Christina would have a tremendous impact on your department. She is an ideal candidate, and I enthusiastically endorse her application.

8. Offer to Provide More Information

As you close your letter, extend an invitation for the reader to contact you with any additional questions they may have.

You might include a sentence like:

• Please feel free to contact me at 123-456-7890 or [email protected] if you would like me to expand on any part of this letter. I would be happy to further discuss just how ideal of a candidate Steve is for your graphic designer role.

Don’t forget to include your contact information below your signature so they can easily reach out.

9. Proofread Thoroughly

Before sending your letter, be sure to carefully proofread it line by line. Check for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors that could undermine your reference.

Also double check that you replaced any placeholder names or companies with the appropriate real ones. Reviewing your letter with fresh eyes the next day is recommended to catch anything you might have missed.

10. Format the Letter Professionally

Pay attention to formatting your letter in a professional, visually appealing way. Key elements include:

• Your contact info in the header
• The date
• Company address and recipient info
• A clear letterhead if writing on behalf of a company
• Paragraphs broken up for easy reading
• Proper line spacing between paragraphs
• A handwritten signature (for print letters)

In Closing

Writing a persuasive letter of recommendation is a big responsibility. For designers you know well, it’s a chance to help them succeed and have their skills genuinely showcased. By personalizing your letter content with specific examples and stories, you can create an honest, compelling document that sets them apart.

Approach the letter thoughtfully, and feel free to also direct the designer to provide any materials that may help inform your writing. With care and effort, you can produce a glowing recommendation letter that gives their career aspirations a valuable boost.