Graphic Designer
dhk Architects Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Architecture and Planning · 11-50 employees
About the role
The role involves creating and executing design concepts for brand, communications, print, and environmental applications from initial concept to final production. You will collaborate with project teams to translate complex information into clear, visually compelling design solutions across various media.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates must have 8–10 years of professional graphic design experience with a strong portfolio in signage, wayfinding, and print design. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a relevant tertiary qualification in graphic design or visual communication are required.
Full description
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)
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.
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