zippia ai icon

Automatically Apply For Jobs With Zippi

Upload your resume to get started.

Artist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Paige Williams,
Paige Williams
Artist Example Skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical artist skills. We ranked the top skills for artists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.4% of artist resumes contained maya as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an artist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 artist skills for your resume and career

1. Maya

Maya, also known as Autodesk Maya, is a software and a graphics application used to create 3D models, effects, and assets intended for use in such 3D products as video games, films, architectural plans and models, and other, often interactive, pieces of media. Maya has, since the late 90s, become a standard and one of the core tools in the film and video game industries, has become a part of the primary learning curriculum in schools devoted to these crafts, and has been used in many famous movies, such as Lord of the Rings.

Here's how artists use maya:
  • Conceptualized and developed terrain models using Maya and partnered with director and animators to correspond and produce effective shots.
  • Created entire world zones including prop creation, UV mapping, and scene lighting using both 3D Studio Max and Maya.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how artists use adobe photoshop:
  • Scanned pictures and retouched when necessary using Adobe PhotoShop.
  • Cover art created through Adobe PhotoShop.

3. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how artists use customer service:
  • Placed orders Food preparation Stocked inventory Customer service Cleaned/Sanitized/Washed
  • Demonstrated proficiency in assisting all departments including reading blueprints, customer service, administrative work, and helping with emergency orders.

4. Graphic Design

Graphic design is the art of making visual content to communicate messages. Designers apply different page layout methods and visual hierarchy by using letters and pictures to meet the need of end-users. Most companies use graphic design to sell their product or services and to convey complicated information by using infographics.

Here's how artists use graphic design:
  • Created graphic design images, kinetic typography animations and instructional videos to promote a font generator website/application called TYPOGRAFFIT.
  • Researched and illustrated art work depicting and in relation to important editorial illustrators and graphic designers.

5. Photography

Here's how artists use photography:
  • Outlined requirements for and implemented in-house photography studio for successful creation of product photography.
  • Manufactured Polyurethane-Molded Products and Stage Props For Photography Industry / Hand-painted Backgrounds for Studios

6. VFX

Visual effects or, as it is known more often, VFX is a term used to describe the special imagery as well as the process of creating and applying said effects onto a visual piece of media, such as a photograph, a video, or a film. VFX is used in filmmaking to replace activities, actions, settings, objects, and animals that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous or otherwise difficult to work with, create, or use.

Here's how artists use vfx:
  • Created depth maps for stereo conversion projects as directed by the VFX Producer and/or VFX Supervisor.
  • Worked with and supported VFX Supervisor to develop look and techniques.

Choose from 10+ customizable artist resume templates

Build a professional artist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your artist resume.

7. Sketch

Here's how artists use sketch:
  • Received packages and signed vendors in and out Artist(Freelance) Present I sketch portrait drawings upon request.
  • Worked in Licensing Design creating greeting cards and other products from concept sketch to final art.
Select Skills To Add To Your Resume

8. ZBrush

Here's how artists use zbrush:
  • Collaborate with level designers to brainstorm ideas and create white box art using a combination of 3ds Max and zBrush.
  • Selected to show a Zbrush digital sculpture portrait in the CSE Art Purchase Program exhibit at Miami University.

9. Concept Art

Here's how artists use concept art:
  • Created game ready characters -Collaborated with concept artists to create character designs -Helped coordinate meetings with team members
  • Generated concept artwork to further character and environment development and for use in promotional materials.

10. Adobe Illustrator

Here's how artists use adobe illustrator:
  • Trained to back up marketing lead artist with chalk and printed signage using FilemakerPro/Adobe Illustrator/InDesign for all departments
  • Collaborated with structural engineers on packaging composition using Adobe Illustrator.

11. Art Assets

Here's how artists use art assets:
  • Participated in collaboration with Art Director to maintain clients values while creating admirable character art assets.
  • Created art assets and animations for online videos and info graphics of various art styles.

12. UV

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation emitted by the sun and other human-made sources such as tanning beds. UV radiation falls under three primary categories: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC).

Here's how artists use uv:
  • Designed, Modeled, UV Mapped, and textured six levels from start to finish for Tony Hawk Motion.
  • Created UV mapping for the 3d model assets that were assigned to me.

13. User Interface

The user interface (UI) is the area or point where a person communicates with or transfers information to an electric computer or application. The user interface enables applications to offer precise product details to their intended customer without causing any misunderstanding. Customers want modern technology to behave in a certain manner for their convenience, so it is advised to create a user interface that is simple to use, precise, and predictable so that customers are fully pleased with its services. It can make a significant difference in converting visitors into customers.

Here's how artists use user interface:
  • Managed creative process from brainstorming to implementation with content editors and programming on user interface/user experience issues.
  • Designed engaging user interfaces to reinforce sound instructional design principles.

14. Adobe Creative Suite

Here's how artists use adobe creative suite:
  • Used video creation and editing software such as Final Cut Studio, AdobePhotoshop and Adobe Creative Suite 5.
  • Set up client supplied artwork for slot machine games using the Adobe Creative Suite and company specific software.

15. Facebook

Here's how artists use facebook:
  • Utilized social media platforms including Facebook to connect with college community.
  • Advertised globally Facebook at Vulcan Sculpture Studio 55
top-skills

What skills help Artists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Artist resumes?

P

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

The skills that stand out on artist resumes are skills that distinguish them from other applicants. Potential employers are looking for individuals whose resumes provide evidence of exploration, risk-taking, and the ability to adapt. These traits are evidenced through experiences with internships, study abroad, and other real-world experiences such as client-based projects, exhibitions, performances, and readings in public spaces. Art school is experiential. Students aren’t just observing but doing while they are in school. The ability to learn and adapt to new technology is also important. Art students don’t just learn but utilize technological skills with purpose in their own creative work.

What soft skills should all Artists possess?

P

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

The World Economic Forum has identified the four most important skills that ALL students graduating from college in the 21st century will need to be successful. These are the same skills that artists, designers, and creative writers explore through 21st Century Art Education at the Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC): Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. 21st Century creatives will need to understand how to explore solutions to complex problems, think outside of the box, work with others, and effectively articulate their ideas. At the Art Academy of Cincinnati, our students in first-year experience engage in courses whose focus is communication, collaboration, ideation, research, and discovery from day one.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Artists?

P

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

Students entering the creative workplace need the visual, verbal, and written vocabulary to articulate their ideas and provide meaningful and constructive criticism. Students at the AAC learn criticism methods and engage in writing across the curriculum in every studio and academic course. A rigorous capstone experience requires that students write a ten-to-twelve-page thesis that thoroughly explains what they make (subject), how they make it (form), and why it matters (content). They then are required to present their ideas in a public forum.

Learning the latest technological advances and adapting as technology evolves is important for every student entering the workforce.

What Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

D

Dr. Randall BradleyDr. Randall Bradley LinkedIn Profile

Director and Professor, Baylor School of Music

This is a good question. I’m not sure there is a region that is better; however, the places in which the coronavirus has had the least impact are starting to open up and search for leadership first. Secondly, I think one of the most open places for worship leaders to find positions will continue to be in smaller towns. There are many smaller town churches that desire well-trained music and worship leaders; however, most younger people are not particularly interested in settling in places that are further from major metropolitan areas. We are seeing similar challenges among medical professionals, educators, etc. Yet, with the recent interest in smaller rural communities as safe places to escape a pandemic, this trend could shift.

List of artist skills to add to your resume

Artist Skills

The most important skills for an artist resume and required skills for an artist to have include:

  • Maya
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Customer Service
  • Graphic Design
  • Photography
  • VFX
  • Sketch
  • ZBrush
  • Concept Art
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Art Assets
  • UV
  • User Interface
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Facebook
  • Product Knowledge
  • Fine Arts
  • CG
  • Instagram
  • Mac
  • Sculpture
  • Post Processing
  • Twitter
  • Digital Art
  • HTML
  • Color Correction
  • Food Safety
  • NYC
  • Art Shows
  • Customer Orders
  • YouTube
  • Prep Food
  • Art Projects
  • Clips
  • Logo Design
  • T-Shirts
  • Makeup Application
  • Xbox
  • Art Pieces

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs