Senior Graphic Designer – South Africa

Remuneration:negotiable basic salary Location:Johannesburg, MorningsideEducation level:DegreeJob level:SeniorType:PermanentReference:#BaseDesigner10Company:Base Five Media AgencyJob descriptionWe’re looking for a Senior Graphic Designer who’s more than just an implementer. Someone who understands that design is storytelling, strategy, and craft combined.

In this role, you’ll:

Take briefs from concept to execution across digital, print, OOH, and motion.Create work that’s bold, fresh, and rooted in culture.Collaborate with strategists, creatives, and media minds to make ideas come alive.Contribute to pitches, brainstorms, and campaigns that demand both creativity and craft.Deliver work that not only looks good but makes an impact.What will help you succeed here
At Base Five, we move fast, dream big, and hold each other to high standards. To thrive here, you’ll need to:
Stay curious – always ask “what if?” and “why not?”Collaborate with fire – great ideas grow when sharedBe resilient – deadlines get tough, but we rise tougherThink culturally – design is more than visuals, it’s about impactOwn your growth – we grow people into leaders, not just roles
Core responsibilities:

1.   Creative development and design execution

Translate client briefs into visually compelling concepts across digital, social, print, OOH, and video.Produce conceptual layouts, design mock-ups, and finished artwork.Maintain brand consistency across campaigns while introducing fresh creative approaches.Design with an awareness of target audiences, cultural relevance, and campaign objectives.
2.   Integrated media campaigns
Create artwork for digital campaigns (social content, banners, GIFs, emailers, web assets).Design for print and OOH (billboards, street pole ads, mall media, transit, flyers, magazines).Support broadcast/AV campaigns through motion graphics, video cut-downs, and title treatments.Contribute to new business pitches with strong conceptual visuals and polished mock-ups.
3.   Technical design and production
Prepare print-ready artwork with precise attention to bleeds, resolution, colour profiles, and format specifications.Ensure all creative complies with platform/media specifications (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, DOOH, web banners, etc.).Liaise with external suppliers (printers, OOH companies, digital ad servers) to ensure final output quality.Keep up to date with new formats, ad specs, and creative technologies.
 4.   Collaboration and workflow
Work closely with copywriters, strategists, and client service to develop integrated campaign ideas.Manage multiple briefs simultaneously, prioritising effectively under pressure.Participate in creative brainstorms and present ideas confidently.Mentor junior designers, ensuring high standards of execution and adherence to best practice.Requirements Design and creativity
Strong eye for visual storytelling, layout, typography, and colorAdobe creative suite expertise: Photoshop (retouching, compositing), Illustrator (branding, vector design), InDesign (layout and publications), After Effects (motion graphics, animation), Premiere Pro (video editing)Familiarity with Figma, XD, or Sketch for digital and UI mock-upsExperience preparing print-ready artwork (bleeds, resolution, color profiles)Understanding of OOH design principles and challengesKnowledge of digital platform specs and formats (Meta, TikTok, YouTube, DOOH, Google Ads)Bonus skills in 3D design, illustration, or photographySoftware proficiency
Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite:Photoshop (retouching, compositing)Illustrator (vector graphics, branding, iconography)InDesign (layouts, editorial design, publications)After Effects (motion graphics, animation)Premiere Pro (video editing)Knowledge of Figma / Sketch / XD (for UI/UX and digital mock-ups).Familiarity with HTML5 banners and interactive design (advantage).Agency knowledge
Understanding of advertising principles and how design supports campaign strategy.Knowledge of OOH design challenges (viewing distances, hierarchy, impact).Awareness of digital media constraints (file sizes, formats, platform-specific guidelines).Familiarity with pitch processes, client presentations, and tight turnaround times.
Experience and qualifications
5–7+ years’ experience as a graphic designer in a creative/media/advertising agency.Degree or diploma in graphic design, visual communication, or related field.Portfolio of workProven experience in:Integrated campaigns (digital, print, OOH, social).Managing projects from concept through to final execution.Collaborating with multidisciplinary agency teams.Experience with multiple brands/sectors (FMCG, automotive, retail, lifestyle, tech, etc.) highly advantageous.Knowledge of brand development and CI design is a plus.Additional skills (3D design, photography, illustration) are a bonus.