dhk Architects

Graphic Designer

dhk Architects Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Architecture and Planning · 11-50 employees

2 d ago
graphic-designer Principal (10+ yrs) Full-time South Africa
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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

Graphic design Signage design Wayfinding Print production Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Adobe Acrobat Pro Typography Visual storytelling Information hierarchy Photography Videography Brand identity Environmental graphics Project management

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)

  • 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.

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