93 Art Director jobs in South Africa

Our client, an advertising agency based in Bedfordview is looking for an Art Director to join their team.

Objective of the role

The Art Director is responsible for leading the visual direction and creative output of projects within the creative department. The primary objective is to conceptualise and execute visually compelling campaigns that meet client objectives and uphold the agency's creative standards.

Key accountabilities

• Lead the conceptualisation and execution of visual concepts for advertising campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director/Managing Director and other team members to ensure creative alignment with client briefs.
• Provide artistic direction and mentorship to the creative team.
• Ensure that the visual elements of projects align with brand guidelines and creative standards.
• Present and articulate creative concepts to clients.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and incorporate innovative design approaches.
• Manage and prioritise multiple projects simultaneously.
• Uphold and contribute to the creative vision and standards of the agency.

Required experience and knowledge

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a creative role, with at least 2 years in a leadership position.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative and conceptual thinking.
• In-depth knowledge of design principles, typography, and visual storytelling. Proficiency in industry-standard design software. 

Minimum qualification

National diploma, bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, or related field.

REQUIREMENTS

• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Stay updated on design trends and emerging technologies.    

At AKQA, we blend the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination and deliver impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA South Africa are translators. Translators of big ideas into functional content for the everyday person to see. They apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labours of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients.

As a Senior Art Director, you bring strategic insight and exceptional craft to storytelling, developing ideas that move the world. Working in close partnership with a Senior Copywriter, you create compelling and beautifully constructed work that connects with audiences and delivers results. You own the brand voice, ensuring consistency, clarity, and emotional resonance across every touchpoint.

Johannesburg-based while frequently collaborating with our global studios, you will enjoy working in a team of highly skilled people, all with strong opinions about various technologies, frameworks, and approaches to media, creativity, and communications. You will articulate your ideas to your colleagues effectively while also taking on board the ideas of others. You will thrive when faced with new challenges, view them as opportunities, and constantly look to improve client deliverables. You will work in a progressive environment that fosters a meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Conceptualize and craft compelling, strategically driven visual ideas that are clear, persuasive, and beautifully executed for various clients and audiences.
• Collaborate closely with a Senior Copywriter, ensuring that concepts are strong, well-articulated, and executed with exceptional visual storytelling and craft.
• Lead projects and clients autonomously, fully owning creative direction, execution, and design excellence.
• Design across various formats, including brand identity, campaign visuals, social content, motion, editorial layouts, experience design, and presentation materials.
• Deliver creative work with speed, consistency, accuracy, and flair, ensuring visuals are on-brand, innovative, and impactful across platforms.
• Be a proactive team player, managing multiple projects with exceptional time management, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle competing priorities.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and design best practices, continuously pushing creative boundaries and keeping work at the forefront of innovation.
• Ask the right questions, clarify objectives, and structure work effectively to align with strategic goals and creative vision.
• Lead brainstorming and workshop sessions with senior stakeholders, shaping the creative direction and fostering collaboration between disciplines.
• Own the visual narrative and storytelling in presentations, ensuring the work is engaging, persuasive, and strategically sound.
• Build consensus around creative approaches, integrating feedback while maintaining the integrity and impact of the work.
• Present confidently, clearly articulating creative rationale and vision to internal teams and clients, inspiring and influencing decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A portfolio showcasing high-quality, globally recognised work, including brand, campaign, and experience pieces with measurable business impact.
• Proven experience in design and cross-channel storytelling.
• Confident in presenting and articulating ideas both internally and to clients.
• A degree in Design, Visual Studies, or a related field is preferred.
• Proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and Keynote.
• A natural curiosity and passion for finding inspirationfromdiverse sources, with a keen interest in the future of media and technology.
• Driven to push creative boundaries and craft groundbreaking ideas that stand out.
• Craft-focused in your approach to work, presentations, and creative execution.

AKQA is committed to developing wellbeing and supporting life choices for our team. We provide an extensive range of benefits. To find out more click

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We’re looking for a Mid Art Director with a passion for retail advertising, a strong conceptual mindset, and an exceptional eye for developing bold, impactful creative work. This role is perfect for someone who's ready to push creative boundaries across digital, in-store, and beyond-the-shelf concepts.

Our studio manages a diverse portfolio of retail brands that are striving to be more competitive in the market. We operate in a culture of respect, hard work, and collaboration, where bold ideas and fresh thinking are encouraged.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and develop standout creative concepts for retail campaigns across multiple channels, including digital, in-store, social media, and experiential marketing.
• Execute high-quality designs and layouts that elevate retail brands and drive engagement.
• Collaborate closely with copywriters, strategists, and senior creatives to produce compelling advertising that meets both creative and commercial objectives.
• Balance speed and quality, understanding the fast turnaround nature of retail while delivering work that is both strategically sound and creatively exciting.
• Bring innovative ideas to the table—this is a space to grow, experiment, and challenge the category.
• Leverage AI and generative AI tools to enhance creativity and workflow efficiency.
• Take ownership of projects, guiding juniors when needed while remaining hands-on with design execution.
• Be a self-starter who continuously seeks out learning opportunities and new ways to push creative boundaries.
• Collaborate with a talented team in a supportive and high-energy studio environment.

What we’re looking for:

• Creative with a strategic mindset - someone who understands the why behind the work and can translate it into compelling creative.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.).
• Strong visual and conceptual thinker with a keen eye for design, typography, and branding.
• Team player who’s eager to lead, inspire, and bring fresh ideas to our creative output.
• Proactive self-starter with a hunger for learning and adapting to industry trends.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of AI and generative AI in creative work is a plus.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.

If you’re looking for a place to sharpen your skills, step up as a creative leader, and help reshape retail advertising, we’d love to hear from you!

Job Summary:

As a Junior Art Director, you are responsible for crafting innovative ideas and impactful designs, using visual styles to bring life to bold creative ideas, conceptual development and crafted storytelling across channels.

Experience Required:

• 1-3 years’ experience as an Art Director in the Advertising industry.
• An in-depth understanding of the key departments, processes and structures within an Advertising Agency.
• Good knowledge of media landscape (traditional - TTL, ATL & BTL & digital)
• Good knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud: specifically, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator.
• Bonus would be a working knowledge of other platforms that help an art director bring ideas to life: Premiere Pro, After Effects, Dimension, Mid journey etc.
• Experienced in working with internal team and senior clients across multiple stakeholders.

Qualification Required:

• Art Direction tertiary qualification
• Graphic design tertiary qualification

Technical/Functional Competencies:

• Develop and produce creative concepts, campaigns, and functional key visuals that meet the client’s communications objectives and drive business results in response to creative briefs.
• Excellent Presentation skills.
• Work well under pressure.
• Have a drive to compete at the highest industry levels not only for yourself but for your own portfolio of work.
• Be able to mine true insights and apply them to any given brief.

We’re looking for a Senior Art Director with a passion for retail advertising, a strong conceptual mindset, and an exceptional eye for developing bold, impactful creative work. This role is perfect for someone who's ready to push creative boundaries across digital, in-store, and beyond-the-shelf concepts.

Our studio manages a diverse portfolio of retail brands that are striving to be more competitive in the market. We operate in a culture of respect, hard work, and collaboration, where bold ideas and fresh thinking are encouraged.

What you’ll do:

• Collaborate with the copywriting team to conceptualize advertising strategies according to the client brief.
• Research and understand clients marketing initiatives, strategic positioning, and target audience.
• Attend and participate in stand-up / brainstorming sessions.
• Produce sketches and storyboards to visualise ideas.
• Art Direction for all forms of communication including but not limited to: TVC (ability to conceptualize TV campaigns), print, digital, social media etc.
• Ensure the level of creative work is high before presenting work to Creative Directors, Group Heads etc.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure deadlines are met.
• Assist with mentoring and training junior creatives.
• Keep abreast with adverting trends within industry best practice.

What we’re looking for:

• Tertiary qualification in Art Direction.
• Strong proficiency in the Adobe creative suite.
• Strong experience as an Art Director in an advertising agency.
• Digital & TTL experience is essential.
• Experience with brand design and brand identity
• Experience working on WorkBook is an advantage.
• Strong presentation, multitasking and time management skills

If you’re looking for a place to sharpen your skills, step up as a creative leader, and help reshape retail advertising, we’d love to hear from you!

We are looking for a passionate Art Director with Advertising agency retail client experience, someone with a strong portfolio that showcases the skill set to capture promotional excitement and breakthrough designs for a national retail client.The successful applicant will be tasked to carry visual and conceptual skills from initial brief to final artwork.Our ideal candidate must have a keen eye for little and big details, work extremely well under pressure with quick deadlines, high work volume and demanding pitches.

We want someone who is resourceful, a self-starter and a conceptual thinker.

If you are all of the above and then some, have great communication skills, exceptional lay-out skills; know a thing or two about Art Directionin an Agency environment and plays well with othersResponsibilities : Working in a team under the leadership of a Group Head and Creative Director to conceptualize and execute campaigns based on both client and internal briefs.Present work imaginatively and confidently to clients and senior creatives.Be skilled in design and conceptualization.Maintain exceptionally high standards for execution and attention to detail.Collaborate and communicate well with the team and other departments.Have an eternally positive disposition especially when the going gets roughLeadership and mentorship qualities are a plusRequirementsQualificationsRelevant tertiary qualificationExperienceAt least 2-4 years' experience as an art director in a large / integrated Advertising AgencyAt least 2-4 years' previous experience in a high-volume environmentDesired SkillsDemonstrated experience with social media design across various social media platformsStrong skills in design software such as InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator non-negotiableExperience in digital and experiential advertising advantageousStrong interpersonal skills; a team player, persuasive negotiator, positive and innovative thinkerMaintain high standards for execution and attention to detailHighly motivated and a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agency's creative goals and the client's business objectives

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Since we believe in creative work that disrupts, we are looking for a candidate who is going to embrace modern marketing principles and is a self-starter. This is an individual who is not afraid to challenge the norm and embodies our philosophy of divine discontent (Never stop chasing brilliance attitude).

A Through-The-Line Art Director must have 8+ years experience.

Here's what you'll bring to the table - to complement the above:

• Highly conceptual individual
• Demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking
• Track record of leading the conceptualization and execution of campaigns
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of new and existing digital platforms
• Must show an understanding of various programmes (Editing, recording etc.)
• Must have at least 1 international gold and 1 local gold medal
• Must show examples of problem solving
• Demonstrate a working understanding of CRM and CVM principles
• Give an example of proactivity that led to better work, processes etc.

Here's what you'll be doing to lead Agency and Client growth .

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

As a senior creative, you will help lead our passionate, multi-talented studio, guiding more junior members to deliver, and encourage exceptional integrated concepts that exceed client briefs and expectations.

A Senior TTL Art Director is an important contact point in our agency, so they can expect to be craft-led, strategically driven, media agnostic, agile and consistently conceptual, with a desire to transform brands by creating exceptional, intuitive, and human-centred products and experiences.

The successful candidate will be tuned into all aspects of South African popular culture and the platforms and media it plays in, as well as have a strong point of view on what it takes to win in this space, with the experience to back it up. Immaculate art direction ability is paramount.

Responsibilities - what you'll do every day

• Be part of the strategic process and interrogate the brief
• Scope, plan & manage the creative process on projects
• Manage & mentor the creative team
• Work with other disciplines (Strategists, Developers, Media, Accounts, etc.) to ensure cohesive team integration, and alignment with broader business objectives
• Be a champion for innovative media solutions on every brief
• Play an active role in campaign planning
• Participate in pitches for new business
• Define the visual language of overall campaigns
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Generate ideas and sell them into clients and other team members
• Mockup creative ideas
• Consistently produce creative elements against a deliverables list
• Lead the craft of an idea
• Compile presentations for clients & new ways to present
• Attend client briefings & present to clients
• Attend film and photoshoots
• Gain an understanding of media specs
• Source inspirational material and references to push creativity

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Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

At AKQA, we blend the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination and deliver impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA South Africa are translators. Translators of big ideas into functional content for the everyday person to see. They apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labours of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients.

As a Senior Art Director, you bring strategic insight and exceptional craft to storytelling, developing ideas that move the world. Working in close partnership with a Senior Copywriter, you create compelling and beautifully constructed work that connects with audiences and delivers results. You own the brand voice, ensuring consistency, clarity, and emotional resonance across every touchpoint.

Johannesburg-based while frequently collaborating with our global studios, you will enjoy working in a team of highly skilled people, all with strong opinions about various technologies, frameworks, and approaches to media, creativity, and communications. You will articulate your ideas to your colleagues effectively while also taking on board the ideas of others. You will thrive when faced with new challenges, view them as opportunities, and constantly look to improve client deliverables. You will work in a progressive environment that fosters a meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

Role Requirements

• Conceptualize and craft compelling, strategically driven visual ideas that are clear, persuasive, and beautifully executed for various clients and audiences.
• Collaborate closely with a Senior Copywriter, ensuring that concepts are strong, well-articulated, and executed with exceptional visual storytelling and craft.
• Lead projects and clients autonomously, fully owning creative direction, execution, and design excellence.
• Design across various formats, including brand identity, campaign visuals, social content, motion, editorial layouts, experience design, and presentation materials.
• Deliver creative work with speed, consistency, accuracy, and flair, ensuring visuals are on-brand, innovative, and impactful across platforms.
• Be a proactive team player, managing multiple projects with exceptional time management, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle competing priorities.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and design best practices, continuously pushing creative boundaries and keeping work at the forefront of innovation.
• Ask the right questions, clarify objectives, and structure work effectively to align with strategic goals and creative vision.
• Lead brainstorming and workshop sessions with senior stakeholders, shaping the creative direction and fostering collaboration between disciplines.
• Own the visual narrative and storytelling in presentations, ensuring the work is engaging, persuasive, and strategically sound.
• Build consensus around creative approaches, integrating feedback while maintaining the integrity and impact of the work.
• Present confidently, clearly articulating creative rationale and vision to internal teams and clients, inspiring and influencing decision-making.
  
  

• A portfolio showcasing high-quality, globally recognised work, including brand, campaign, and experience pieces with measurable business impact.
• Proven experience in design and cross-channel storytelling.
• Confident in presenting and articulating ideas both internally and to clients.
• A degree in Design, Visual Studies, or a related field is preferred.
• Proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and Keynote.
• A natural curiosity and passion for finding inspiration from diverse sources, with a keen interest in the future of media and technology.
• Driven to push creative boundaries and craft groundbreaking ideas that stand out.
• Craft-focused in your approach to work, presentations, and creative execution.
  
  

• Seniority level Director

• Employment type Full-time

• Job function Art/Creative, Design, and Marketing
• Industries Design Services

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At AKQA, we blend the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination and deliver impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA South Africa are translators. Translators of big ideas into functional content for the everyday person to see. They apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labours of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients.

As a Senior Art Director, you bring strategic insight and exceptional craft to storytelling, developing ideas that move the world. Working in close partnership with a Senior Copywriter, you create compelling and beautifully constructed work that connects with audiences and delivers results. You own the brand voice, ensuring consistency, clarity, and emotional resonance across every touchpoint.

Johannesburg-based while frequently collaborating with our global studios, you will enjoy working in a team of highly skilled people, all with strong opinions about various technologies, frameworks, and approaches to media, creativity, and communications. You will articulate your ideas to your colleagues effectively while also taking on board the ideas of others. You will thrive when faced with new challenges, view them as opportunities, and constantly look to improve client deliverables. You will work in a progressive environment that fosters a meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Conceptualize and craft compelling, strategically driven visual ideas that are clear, persuasive, and beautifully executed for various clients and audiences.


• Collaborate closely with a Senior Copywriter, ensuring that concepts are strong, well-articulated, and executed with exceptional visual storytelling and craft.


• Lead projects and clients autonomously, fully owning creative direction, execution, and design excellence.


• Design across various formats, including brand identity, campaign visuals, social content, motion, editorial layouts, experience design, and presentation materials.


• Deliver creative work with speed, consistency, accuracy, and flair, ensuring visuals are on-brand, innovative, and impactful across platforms.


• Be a proactive team player, managing multiple projects with exceptional time management, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle competing priorities.


• Stay ahead of industry trends and design best practices, continuously pushing creative boundaries and keeping work at the forefront of innovation.


• Ask the right questions, clarify objectives, and structure work effectively to align with strategic goals and creative vision.


• Lead brainstorming and workshop sessions with senior stakeholders, shaping the creative direction and fostering collaboration between disciplines.


• Own the visual narrative and storytelling in presentations, ensuring the work is engaging, persuasive, and strategically sound.


• Build consensus around creative approaches, integrating feedback while maintaining the integrity and impact of the work.


• Present confidently, clearly articulating creative rationale and vision to internal teams and clients, inspiring and influencing decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A portfolio showcasing high-quality, globally recognised work, including brand, campaign, and experience pieces with measurable business impact.


• Proven experience in design and cross-channel storytelling.


• Confident in presenting and articulating ideas both internally and to clients.


• A degree in Design, Visual Studies, or a related field is preferred.


• Proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and Keynote.


• A natural curiosity and passion for finding inspirationfromdiverse sources, with a keen interest in the future of media and technology.


• Driven to push creative boundaries and craft groundbreaking ideas that stand out.


• Craft-focused in your approach to work, presentations, and creative execution.

AKQA is committed to developing wellbeing and supporting life choices for our team. We provide an extensive range of benefits. To find out more click here.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.