26 Design Concepts jobs in South Africa

Job title : Retail Design & Visual Merchandising Manager

Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg Deadline : August 22, 2025

The Opportunity

L'Oréal South Africa is seeking a dynamic, creative, and results-driven Retail Design and Visual Merchandising Manager to elevate our brand presence and consumer experience across all points of sale. This role is pivotal in translating our brand vision and marketing strategies into captivating in-store realities, ensuring our products are showcased beautifully and effectively to drive sales and enhance brand equity within the diverse South African market.

• Develop and execute comprehensive Retail Design & Visual Merchandising strategies that align with global brand guidelines and local market specificities for all L'Oréal Luxe brands, including Lancôme, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, Kiehl's, and Maison Margiela.
• Plan and manage the Retail Design and Visual Merchandising calendar, coordinating with marketing, sales, supply chain teams, retail partners, and suppliers to ensure timely execution of campaigns and new product launches.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify trends and best practices in visual merchandising, continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance consumer engagement.

• Conceptualize, design, and implement captivating retail displays, window presentations, in-store fixtures, and promotional areas that reflect each brand's unique identity and appeal to the target consumer.
• Oversee the production and installation of all visual merchandising materials, ensuring high quality, consistency, and adherence to brand standards.
• Work closely with external vendors, contractors, and agencies for the development and execution of visual merchandising elements.
• Provide clear visual merchandising guidelines and directives to retail partners and sales teams, ensuring consistent implementation across all stores.

• Lead the Retail Design and Visual Merchandising team, fostering a culture of creativity, excellence, and collaboration.
• Conduct regular training sessions for retail staff and sales teams on visual merchandising principles, product placement, and display maintenance.

• Manage the visual merchandising budget effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and cost-efficiency.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of visual merchandising initiatives through sales data, foot traffic analysis, and qualitative feedback, providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.
• Prepare regular reports on visual merchandising performance, market trends, and competitive activities.

• Serve as the primary liaison between global/regional visual merchandising teams and the local South African market, ensuring effective communication and adaptation of global assets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, trade marketing, product development, and supply chain teams to ensure integrated and impactful campaigns.

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Retail Management, Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in visual merchandising, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial role, preferably within the beauty, fashion, or luxury retail sectors.
• Proven experience working with a diverse portfolio of brands and adapting strategies to different retail environments (e.g., department stores, mass market, specialty boutiques).
• Strong portfolio showcasing successful visual merchandising projects and creative design capabilities.

• Exceptional creativity and a strong eye for aesthetics, detail, and brand presentation.
• In-depth knowledge of retail environments, consumer behavior, and visual merchandising best practices.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and presentation tools.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Results-oriented with a strategic mindset and a keen understanding of how visual merchandising impacts sales and brand perception.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other South African official languages is a plus.
• Willingness to travel frequently within South Africa and neighboring countries to visit stores and supervise installations.

Deadline : 21st August, 2025

Note: The job is active and accepting applications.

StyleSociety has an exciting opportunity for a young creative to join our team as a Creative Design Assistant .

You would assist with content creation and delivery of digital and fashion projects. Your typical day would be spent working alongside our Fashion Director, at the StyleSociety HQ’s, styling, sourcing, mood boarding, brainstorming, planning and implementing marketing strategies for social and events. Be prepared for some office administration and personal assistant duties as well.

This position would suit a tenacious, good communicator with a can-do attitude. We are not too keen on the princess types! This is not a work from home opportunity. This is a full-time position and you will be required to work from our offices based in the Cape Winelands.

Your duties would include the following:

1. Assist in developing proposals and fashion stories for our brands.
2. Researching unique ideas for styling, social and events.
3. Sourcing and researching for props and supplies.
4. Taking photos.
5. Recording videos.
6. Editing photos and videos.

Requirements:

• Organised.
• Creative.
• Detail-oriented.
• Eye for Design.
• Visually analytical.
• Experience with natural light photography, editing and creating video content.
• Proficient in Photoshop and Lightroom.
• Copywriting.
• Styling, Art or Design experience an advantage.

The working hours are 9.30 am to 4.30 pm – Mondays to Fridays.

IF YOU MEET ALL THESE REQUIREMENTS, WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

In your application, please include:

• Cover letter with your updated résumé.
• Headshot photo.
• LinkedIn URL.
• Your ideal work schedule.

• Introduce yourself, and tell us a little about what you love and why you’re applying for this position.
• Why do you want to work at StyleSociety?
• Please remember to send a short resume and links supporting your creative experience and strengths.
• We would love to see links to all your socials – especially Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.
• Tell us about your past creative positions and what you will bring to the brand?

IMPORTANT:
Candidates who have competing interests or loyalties and are involved in any conflicting fashion, style, online businesses will not be considered for this vacancy.

You can send applications directly to:
Kumari Govender

Please Note: Applications for this position are now CLOSED. We will contact all shortlisted candidates to arrange interviews. Due to the volume of applications received – only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us, please consider your application unsuccessful.

StyleSociety has an exciting opportunity for a young creative to join our team as a Creative Design Assistant .

You would assist with content creation and delivery of digital and fashion projects. Your typical day would be spent working alongside our Fashion Director, at the StyleSociety HQ’s, styling, sourcing, mood boarding, brainstorming, planning and implementing marketing strategies for social and events. Be prepared for some office administration and personal assistant duties as well.

This position would suit a tenacious, good communicator with a can-do attitude. We are not too keen on the princess types! This is not a work from home opportunity. This is a full-time position and you will be required to work from our offices based in the Cape Winelands.

Your duties would include the following:

1. Assist in developing proposals and fashion stories for our brands.
2. Researching unique ideas for styling, social and events.
3. Sourcing and researching for props and supplies.
4. Taking photos.
5. Recording videos.
6. Editing photos and videos.

Requirements:

• Organised.
• Creative.
• Detail-oriented.
• Eye for Design.
• Visually analytical.
• Experience with natural light photography, editing and creating video content.
• Proficient in Photoshop and Lightroom.
• Copywriting.
• Styling, Art or Design experience an advantage.

The working hours are 9.30 am to 4.30 pm – Mondays to Fridays.

IF YOU MEET ALL THESE REQUIREMENTS, WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

In your application, please include:

• Cover letter with your updated résumé.
• Headshot photo.
• LinkedIn URL.
• Your ideal work schedule.

• Introduce yourself, and tell us a little about what you love and why you’re applying for this position.
• Why do you want to work at StyleSociety?
• Please remember to send a short resume and links supporting your creative experience and strengths.
• We would love to see links to all your socials – especially Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.
• Tell us about your past creative positions and what you will bring to the brand?

IMPORTANT:
Candidates who have competing interests or loyalties and are involved in any conflicting fashion, style, online businesses will not be considered for this vacancy.

You can send applications directly to:
Kumari Govender

Please Note: Applications for this position are now CLOSED. We will contact all shortlisted candidates to arrange interviews. Due to the volume of applications received – only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us, please consider your application unsuccessful.

The provided job description contains comprehensive details about the role, responsibilities, and qualifications. However, its formatting can be improved for better readability and engagement, and some redundancies or overly detailed lists could be streamlined. I will retain all essential information, improve the structure with appropriate HTML tags, and remove unnecessary repetitions to enhance clarity and focus.

As the Senior Design Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in guiding the creative output of the agency. You'll ensure all work meets the highest visual standards and is tightly aligned to client brand guidelines. More than that, you’ll help evolve and expand those brand systems – keeping them fresh, scalable, and ahead of the curve.

From overseeing design QA, to updating visual identity (VI) toolkits, to training partner agencies on proper usage, you’ll be a guardian of brand integrity. You’ll also help integrate AI tools into the creative workflow and keep us sharp on both emerging design trends and category best practices, especially in the fast-evolving fintech space.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the consistent and accurate application of visual identity across all client deliverables
• Regularly update and maintain client VI toolkits and guidelines to reflect brand evolution
• Train partner agencies and internal teams on how to apply visual identity systems effectively
• Introduce and integrate AI tools to improve workflow efficiency and creative output
• Stay on top of industry design trends and innovations; bring fresh inspiration to the team
• Monitor visual trends and communication styles in the finance and fintech sectors to ensure we’re competitive and distinctive
li>Collaborate with strategy, creative, and account teams to ensure design decisions align with brand goals
• Lead internal design QA processes to ensure accuracy and excellence
• Mentor and inspire junior designers, encouraging best-in-class design craft and attention to detail

• 8+ years of experience in a creative or design leadership role, preferably in an agency environment
• Deep understanding of brand systems and visual identity development
• Strong conceptual thinker with impeccable attention to detail
• Confident communicator and trainer—able to present and articulate design rationale clearly
li>Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma; familiarity with AI design tools (e.g. Midjourney, Firefly, ChatGPT, etc.) a big plus
• Curious, proactive, and always looking to push creative boundaries
• Experience working with clients in financial or fintech categories is a strong advantage

Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after the application deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful.

January 12, 2025

Sawubona, my people! Let me tell you something straight. Are you stuck in Durban traffic on West Street, thinking, “Yoh, I can’t deal with this commute anymore”? If so, you’re in the right place. I’m about to share some powerful insights on how to teach yourself graphic design. You will be capable of working from home. Trust me, it’s going to change your life quicker than a taxi squeezing into a gap in peak-hour traffic.

Five years ago, I was that bloke sitting in a cubicle in Westville. I wore a tie that felt like a noose and dreamed about something better. Now? I run Warten Weg from my pad in Pinetown. I rock shorts and slops. I make more money than I ever did in corporate. Hectic, right?

But here’s the thing. Teaching yourself graphic design to work from home involves more than just watching a few YouTube tutorials. It’s not simply calling it a day. Nah, fam. It’s a proper journey, and I’m going to show you exactly how to make it happen.

How to Teach Yourself Graphic Design So You Can Work From Home

First things first, you need to understand the fundamentals. It’s like building a braai—you can’t just throw meat on the fire and hope for the best. You need to know what you’re doing.

• Colour Theory: Learn about colour combinations that slap harder than amapiano at a Sunday session.
• Typography: Understanding fonts is like knowing your wines—it seems fancy, but anyone can learn it.
• Layout Principles: This is your secret weapon, like knowing where to find parking at the Pavilion.

Pro Tip: You can teach yourself graphic design without spending a cent initially. Start with Canva and GIMP before dropping stacks on Adobe Creative Suite .

Now, here’s where most people get stuck when trying to teach themselves graphic design. They jump straight into trying to design logos for big brands when they can barely centre an image. Shame, man. Don’t be that person.

Start small:

• Make social media posts for your side hustle
• Create posters for your cousin’s car wash.

Listen, mshana, you need a portfolio that’s going to make potential clients say, “yasis!” Here’s how to build a design portfolio with no experience:

• Start with personal projects (they don’t need to know it was for your aunt’s birthday).
• Create mock projects for brands you love
• Document your design process (clients eat this stuff up).
• Make it look professional (even if you’re working from your bedroom in KwaDabeka).

Bru, in 2025, if you’re not online, you don’t exist. Here’s what you need:

• LinkedIn profile (yes, even though it’s boring)
• Instagram portfolio (this is where the magic happens)

Remember, design isn’t just about making things look pretty—it’s about solving problems.

Let me save you some money here. You don’t need everything at once:

• A decent laptop (doesn’t have to be a MacBook; relax)
• Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (student discount if you can get it)
• A good internet connection (fibre is your friend.)

• Second screen
• Coffee machine (trust me on this one)

Now we’re talking business! Here’s how to start making actual money:

• Start Local: Your first client will be that guy selling kotas down the road who needs a menu design.
• Use Your Network: Tell EVERYONE what you do now.
• Join Design Communities: Facebook groups, Reddit (r/graphic_design is your friend)
• Upwork and Fiverr : Yes, the rates are low at first, but it’s a start

• Trying to charge Hillcrest prices with Westville skills
• Not backing up your work (shame; I lost all my files once during load shedding)
• Taking on too many projects at once
• Not getting deposits from clients (got burnt bad on this one)

The best time to start was yesterday; the second best time is now.

Let me be honest with you—learning how to teach yourself graphic design so you can work from home isn’t easy. You’re going to spend many nights staring at your screen, wondering if you’re cut out for this. You’ll have moments where you feel like a proper chop.

But here’s the thing—every professional designer started somewhere. Even those charging R50k for a logo once searched online at 2 AM. They looked up “how to build a graphic design portfolio without clients. “.

Here’s where you can learn more:

• YouTube channels (Yes, including the overseas ones—just ignore when they say “y’all.”)
• Design books (actual books, not just Pinterest boards)
• Local design meetups (networking is everything, my friend)

This is what I want you to understand from this guide. It teaches you how to teach yourself graphic design to work from home. It’s this: it’s possible. I did it, starting from scratch, right here in KZN. No fancy overseas degree, no rich uncle funding my journey—just determination and a lot of late nights.

Remember, design isn’t just about making things look pretty—it’s about solving problems. And trust me, there are plenty of problems out there waiting for someone like you to solve them.

So, what are you waiting for? The best time to start was yesterday; the second best time is now. And when you’re successful, don’t forget about the oke who gave you these tips. Maybe buy me a vanilla cupcake at the next design meetup?

With dedicated daily practice and structured learning, most people can develop professional-level graphic design skills within 6-12 months.

You can start with free tools like Canva, GIMP, or Inkscape before investing in Adobe Creative Suite.

Yes, many successful designers are self-taught. They earn good incomes through freelancing. Some work remotely, while others run their own design businesses.

Lindani L. Thango is the founder of Warten Weg, a KwaZulu-Natal-based design studio specialising in branding and digital design. When he’s not designing or writing blog posts, you can find him braaiing with clients. That’s how we do business in South Africa. Otherwise, he is stuck in traffic on the N2.