> 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_LastnameF.aidimensions: 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• introduction to grid design - pica: standard rule of measure in desktop publishing equal to 1/6" - read Grid Design on page 6

> procedure:PLANNING• step one: complete the Résumé Planner - type exactly how you want it to appear in your final résumé - research résumé builder websites for how to exactly type the information in each section most common issue is Education and how each degree should appear (get it right!)• 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?

procedure continued on page 2

> creative résuméIDEATION • 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 (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• step five: decide on document format - will you use vertical (portrait) or landscape (horizontal)?

procedure continued on page 3

> creative résuméTHUMBNAIL SKETCHES• step one: open and print Résumé Thumbnails.pdf• step two: analyze your content detailed in your Resume Planner - remember: content dictates design! what section is most important in highlighting you as a candidate? how big should each section be? what shape should each section be? where should each section go?• step three: sketch two different layout arrangements - can be vertical or horizontal (or one of each) - create boxes for each section and label each box will be perfect rectangles (no 'stair stepping') - remember to leave one grid space between all boxes you must maintain consistent internal spacing• step four: approve with instructor

MOCK-UP• step one: open and print Résumé Mock-up.pdf • step two: transpose boxes from approved thumbnail layout - draw boxes lightly• step three: add graphics and text - each box area should be filled with the information contained within - draw letters of name in the font you selected all other text can be your handwriting - label all colors and treatments (transparency, gradation, styles, etc.)• step four: erase any box boundaries that will not appear in final design - only boxes that will be used as background color screen should remain • step five: approve with instructor

CREATE• step one: set up Illustrator file - set up document turn on grid by going to View: Show Grid snap to grid by going to View: Snap to Grid change grid to picas go to Edit: Preferences and set "Gridline Every" to 1 in and set Subdivisions to 6• step two: create design grid - establish framing margin using guides top margin is 2 or 3 grids, bottom margin is 2-4 grids, left and right margins are identical 2 grids - create your boxes as they appear on your approved sketch maintain consistent internal spacing of 1 grid use a separate layer so you can easily hide and show as needed during production• step three: create composition - fill boxed content areas if not using a color screen: information should fill the area to create an imaginary box if using a color screen: information will fill area one grid square in from all box edges - maintain consistency in text hierarchy (each should maintain identical size, alignment, color, etc.) - text must be kept to whole or half sizes - do not cross the framing margin or internal margins - repeatedly review Requirements during construction to avoid problems that involve major edits

> 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 a pica grid (1/6") with all elements snapping perfectly to grid guides if not using a color screen: information fills the area to create an imaginary box if using a color screen: information fills area one grid square in from all box edges- the framing margin is thick enough so that information elements do not crowd the edge of the document top margin is 2 or 3 grids bottom margin is 2-4 grids left and right margins are identical 2 grids- internal spacing between sections is one grid the name may be a different internal spacing

Text:- font selections- reflect the overall mood of the composition name- can be any category (deco, sans serif, etc.) section headers- can be smaller version of name font or larger version of information body copy font information- must be highly legible body copy font- text hierarchy name- largest text (size depends on font and composition); visually dominant through size, color and graphic enhancement section headers- distinctly smaller than name but distinctly larger than body copy (size depends on name) information- size 10-11 body copy font- typesetting text of the same hierarchy is identical in size, alignment, color, etc. exceptions may be made in infograph with approval 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 tipsinformation

• 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• refer to professional résumé builder website to see how text should be• look at 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

MISC

EDUCATION INTERESTS

> 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 gridIn 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 gridIn this approach, information elements use a combination of open boxes and screens.

> screened grid example:> open grid example:

> creative résumé example

> creative résumé example

> creative résumé examples

> creative résumé examples