A design studio or in-house team reads your cover letter to decide which portfolio projects to open first. The most useful thing the letter can do is point them there: name two projects, say what the brief was, what you did and why it fits their work. Adjectives about your style add little, because the portfolio already shows it.
The letter below is fictional. Replace every [bracketed] project, client and detail with your own, and only reference work you are allowed to show.
Graphic designer cover letter (fictional)
Dear [Name or Design Team],
I am applying for the [Junior / Graphic Designer] role at [Company]. Two projects in my portfolio are close to the work in your posting: [Project 1] and [Project 2]. [Portfolio link]
[Project 1] was a [brand identity / campaign / packaging] brief for [client type]. I [what you did], and the key decision was [decision and why].
[Project 2] shows [skill the posting asks for, e.g. layout for print and digital]. I produced [deliverables] in [Figma / Illustrator / InDesign] to [deadline or constraint].
I am available from [date] and happy to walk through either project. Thank you for your time.
Kind regards, [Your Name] · [Portfolio link] · [Email]
Make the portfolio link work first time
- Put the link in the first paragraph and again in your signature.
- Check it opens without a login and on a phone.
- Lead the portfolio with the projects the letter mentions.
- Label team projects with your part in them.
Should a designer's cover letter be designed?
A clean, matching design is fine; it should not compete with the portfolio. Readability matters more than style.
Do designers need a cover letter?
Often yes, especially for studios and agencies. It is where you connect your portfolio to their work.
Build a portfolio website from a portfolio template, see the artist CV example, and write the letter in the cover letter builder.