Graphic Designer
dhk Architects · Cape Town, South Africa ·
- Category
- Design
- Experience
- 8+ years
Create bold design concepts across brand, communications, print, and environmental design for an architecture firm, from concept through to production. Core technologies include Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, and PowerPoint.
Create bold, intelligent design concepts across
brand, communications, print and environmental design applications, from
concept through to final production.
We’re looking for an experienced, versatile Graphic
Designer who combines strong creative judgement with exceptional technical
precision and a passion for creating clear, engaging and beautifully crafted
graphic design and architectural branding solutions. This is a hands-on role
for an experienced designer who is equally comfortable developing a wayfinding
system, artworking a publication, refining a presentation, preparing files for
production or capturing life in the studio and on site, in stills and video.
You’ll work across a varied portfolio of brand,
architectural and communications projects, collaborating with project teams,
marcomms colleagues and suppliers. You’ll be trusted to take ownership of your
work, manage competing priorities and transform complex information into clear,
distinctive and beautifully resolved design.
The role focuses on design development and
execution. You’ll work within a well-established brand direction, while
bringing your own insight, craft and problem-solving ability to elevate every
brief.
What you’ll do
- Design
and deliver signage, wayfinding and environmental graphics, from
concept development through schedules, specifications, production artwork,
installation and snagging.
- Create
high-quality print and brand collateral, in line with established
brand identity protocols, including publications, brochures, reports,
posters, invitations, project sheets and presentation material.
- Translate
architectural, technical and business information into accessible visual
communication for proposals, bids, tender submissions and presentations that make complex information clear, compelling, accessible and easy to
navigate.
- Create diagrams, maps, infographics, illustrations and other
project-specific graphics.
- Working
with brand and communications colleagues, prepare and adapt digital
assets for websites, social media, campaigns and internal
communications in response to approved briefs.
- Well-developed
skill in photography is an advantage, to capture projects, people,
events and studio activity. Contribute basic videography or
editing capability where appropriate and within your skill set.
- Prepare
precise, technically correct finished artwork for print, production
and fabrication, identifying inconsistencies, production risks and
opportunities to improve the clarity or usability of design work.
- Liaise
with printers, fabricators, installers and other suppliers on the technical
delivery of design assets. Review proofs, samples and completed work
to ensure that every output matches the approved design and specification.
- Maintain
organised artwork, image and project libraries with disciplined file
naming, archiving and version control.
Requirements
What you’ll bring
Experience and technical capability
- 8–10
years’ professional graphic design experience
· Sufficient
experience to work confidently across multiple projects, formats and deadlines
without compromising accuracy or quality. You’ll bring approved briefs and
communication approaches to life through strong visual thinking, meticulous
execution and dependable delivery.
· Strong
conceptual and visual design ability, with a demonstrated understanding of
typography, composition, information hierarchy and visual storytelling. This
should be coupled with your excellent knowledge of colour, image preparation
and print production.
- Experience
in architecture, property, infrastructure, professional services or the
broader built environment would be highly valuable.
- A
relevant tertiary qualification in graphic design, visual communication or
a related discipline.
- An
impressive portfolio demonstrating experience in some or all of these
areas:
- Signage
and wayfinding (preferable)
- Environmental
and large-format graphics (preferable)
- Print
design and publications (preferable)
- Brand
application
- Presentations,
proposals or bid documents
- Technically
finished, production-ready artwork
- Advanced
proficiency in:
- Adobe
InDesign
- Adobe
Illustrator
- Adobe
Photoshop
- Adobe
Acrobat Pro
- Professional
competence in PowerPoint and familiarity with Microsoft 365
- A
proven understanding of materials, fabrication, scale, legibility and
installation requirements
- Competent
photography skills, including composition, basic lighting, image selection
and editing
- Videography,
video-editing or motion-graphics capability would be an advantage
How you work
You’re an experienced and versatile designer
who combines creative ambition with meticulous execution.
You’re personable, mature, adaptable and calm
under pressure
You take ownership, manage competing priorities
and deliver technically precise work without losing sight of the bigger idea.
You collaborate confidently, welcoming
constructive feedback without ego.
You use initiative and proactive thinking to
find practical solutions that balance design quality with usability, deadlines
and budget.
Above all, you’re organised, curious, dependable
and reliable, giving colleagues and clients the confidence that you’ll follow
through and get the details right.
You’ll thrive in this role if you…
- Enjoy
seeing your designs move from an idea to a precisely produced, real-world
outcome.
- Care
as much about the final 5% of craft and quality control as you do about
the initial concept.
- Can
work independently while recognising when to collaborate, ask questions or
escalate a decision.
- Are
energised by variety and comfortable shifting between spatial, print and
digital formats.
- Want
to contribute to a high-quality, collaborative design and communications
environment, with a global leader in urbanism and sustainable design.
To apply
Please submit:
- Your
CV
- A
PDF portfolio or online portfolio link
- Examples
of signage or wayfinding work
- Examples
of print design and technically finished artwork
- Photography
examples
- Video
or motion work, if available
Applications without a relevant portfolio will
not be considered.