33 Design jobs in Durban

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.

• Maintain The Really Great Teacher Company's corporate identity, ensuring consistency across all materials internally and externally.
• Evolve the company's brand to remain relevant, visually compelling, and relatable to changing market trends.
• Create style guides and templates that can effectively be implemented where required.
• Develop visual concepts that support and deliver on marketing strategies.
  
  
  

• Work closely with Digital Marketing & Communications Manager to support marketing objectives.
• Monthly content planning for effective project management.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Conceptualize creative campaigns and input on marketing campaigns and strategies.
• Communicate effectively with international team members across different time zones.
  
  
  

• Create engaging content that supports departmental objectives.
• Creative concept ideation to create captivating imagery that delivers on campaign messaging and objectives.
• Design requirements include all graphics for all marketing outputs, externally and internally where needed. This can include a range of different multimedia graphics, such as static designs, video content creation, GIF's, infographics, reports, proposals, etc.
• Create visually appealing email marketing templates and graphics.
• Design and update website graphics, banners, and visual elements.
• Develop digital ads for various platforms with optimal dimensions.
  
  
  

• Develop concepts and storyboards for video content.
• Create motion graphics and animations for digital platforms.
• Edit and enhance video content for various platforms and purposes.
  
  
  

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field
• 3-5+ years of professional graphic design experience
• Portfolio demonstrating strong visual design skills across multiple media types
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects)
• Experience designing for digital platforms and social media
• Video editing and motion graphics skills
• Strong typography skills and attention to detail
• Excellent knowledge of design principles, visual hierarchy, and composition
• Experience working with brand guidelines and maintaining brand consistency
  
  
  

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Motion graphics and video editing (After Effects, Premiere Pro)
• Presentation design (PowerPoint, Keynote)
• Familiarity with AI tools to support role requirements
• Familiarity with digital marketing platforms
• Email template design
• UX/UI design best practices
  
  
  

• Creativity and curiosity
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to receive and effectively execute on creative briefs
• Ability to process and incorporate constructive feedback timeously
• Self-motivated with excellent time management skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects
• Adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines
• Collaborative mindset and team player attitude
• Cultural sensitivity and global perspective
  
  
  

• Own, high-performing computer capable of seamlessly running Adobe Suite programs and rendering high-definition video.
• Uncapped internet connection with limited network interruption.
• Back-up power solution.
  
  
  

• Producing high quality content that results in effective visual communication
• Meeting project deadlines to execute on monthly content calendar
• Adherence to brand guidelines across all materials
  
  
  

• Grow skillset and exposure as projects and products diversify.
• Professional development in emerging technologies and trends.
• Cross-functional experience in marketing strategy, brand development and creative design.

Location: Durban, South Africa

Job Description:

Hire Resolve's client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Design Engineer with a focus on water projects to join their team in Durban. The ideal candidate will have a civil engineering degree with a specialization in water and sanitation engineering and experience in designing water systems and infrastructure.

1. Conduct feasibility studies and site investigations
2. Prepare design plans and technical specifications
3. Develop cost estimates and project timelines
4. Construction contract documentation compilation and procurement processes
5. Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and other engineering professionals
6. Monitor construction progress and provide technical guidance
7. Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations
8. Review and approve engineering drawings and documentation
9. Prepare and deliver project presentations

1. BEng, BSc or BTech degree in Civil Engineering or a related field
2. Professional registration with the ECSA or eligible to register
3. About 5 to 10 years of experience in the consulting engineering space specifically in water and sanitation fields
4. Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Model Maker/Pipe maker, Revit, ArcGIS, Global Mapper or similar software
5. Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards including SANS1200 and GCC2015
6. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
7. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities

Salary: negotiable. Our client is offering a highly competitive salary for this role based on experience.

Contact Hire Resolve for your next career-changing move.

To apply for this role, contact Alyssa Marson, Tameaka Futcher, Chandre Cordier, Wernardt Snyman, Elma Pelser or Henker Harmse at Hire Resolve or on LinkedIn. You can also visit the Hire Resolve website: hireresolve.us or email us your CV:

We will contact you telephonically in 3 days should you be suitable for this vacancy. If you are not suitable, we will put your CV on file and contact you regarding any future vacancies that arise.

Welcome to my professional logo design portfolio! Here, you’ll find a collection of my work. It showcases my ability to create compelling and effective logos. These logos help businesses of all sizes achieve their branding goals. I am passionate about using design to communicate brand messages clearly. I strive to create logos that are visually appealing and strategically sound.

I believe that great design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about understanding the client’s needs and goals and then using design to help them achieve those goals. I firmly believe in the power of simplicity. I always strive to create designs that are easy to understand. They should also be visually appealing. I also believe that design should be functional. I always make sure that my logos are easy to read. They are easy to reproduce.

My design process typically involves the following steps:

• Client consultation: I meet with the client to discuss their needs and goals for the logo.
• Research and concept development: I research the client’s target audience. I explore their industry. Then, I develop a few early concepts for the logo.
• Design and layout: I create the final design for the logo, including the layout, typography, and imagery.
• Presentation and revisions: I introduce the final logo design to the client and make any necessary revisions.
• File preparation and delivery: I prepare the final logo files for the client in a variety of formats. These include formats for both print and web.

I offer a wide range of design services, including:

• Branding and identity: I can help you develop a strong brand identity for your business. This includes your logo, colour palette, and typography.
• Print design: I can design a variety of print materials, including business cards, letterheads, and brochures.
• Social media graphics: I can create eye-catching graphics for your social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I am quite knowledgeable in the fundamentals of graphic design. I know how to use a variety of design software applications. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator , and InDesign are among them. I can communicate well. I collaborate well with clients to ensure that their goals are fulfilled.

To view more samples of my work, please visit my design portfolio. I have no doubt that my ability to produce excellent, useful designs will impress you.

My pricing is based on the complexity, scope, and time investment required for each project. I offer both hourly rates and project-based flat rates, depending on the specific needs. We can discuss this in more detail during our consultation.

Join a leading Southern African manufacturer as Head of Tooling & Design , where you’ll take the reins of a strategic department central to product quality, innovation, and operational excellence. This senior leadership role oversees the full spectrum of tooling and design - developing, maintaining, and optimising tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures for high-volume production environments.

Looking for a dynamic leader with deep technical knowledge, CAD/CAM expertise, and a sharp eye for innovation and efficiency.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Qualified Tool, Jig & Die Maker with 10+ years of experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role
• Advanced proficiency in CAD/CAM systems (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX)
• Expertise in die-making, mold design, CNC machining, and optimal materials selection
• Proven leadership in high-volume environments - automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, or heavy engineering preferred
• Strong project management skills and the ability to navigate cross-functional collaboration
• Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) certification is an added advantage

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute tooling and design strategies aligned with business goals
• Lead a team in designing, testing, and validating high-precision tools, dies, and molds
• Oversee tooling maintenance, repair, and optimization to ensure peak performance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Production, R&D, Quality) to support new product launches and process improvements
• Manage budgets, cost-saving initiatives, and supplier relationships for tooling procurement
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (ISO, Lean, Six Sigma) and safety regulations