27 Display Design jobs in South Africa

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.

• Currently studying or recently completed a qualification in Graphic Design or a related creative field.
• A strong creative portfolio demonstrating design skills and conceptual thinking.
• Basic proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Excellent attention to detail and a passion for visual communication.
• Willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to take feedback constructively and work collaboratively in a team setting.

• Visual Content Creation: Assist in designing content for both print and digital media, including marketing materials, branded content, and corporate assets.
• Design Support: Work under the guidance of senior designers to develop layouts and creative solutions that align with client and internal briefs.
• Artwork Preparation: Help prepare final artwork for print, ensuring technical accuracy and alignment with production specifications.
• Team Collaboration: Partner with marketing and production departments to ensure smooth project workflows and brand alignment.
• Idea Generation: Contribute to brainstorming sessions by offering fresh creative ideas and innovative design approaches.
• Brand Integrity: Assist in maintaining visual consistency across all communications in line with established brand guidelines.
• Learning and Development: Engage in training, mentorship, and real-time feedback to develop practical skills in a professional setting.
• Time Management: Support multiple ongoing projects, meeting deadlines and maintaining a high standard of quality in all tasks.

Customer Care Solutions (Pty) Ltd, a leading automotive marketing solutions provider, is looking for a Junior – Mid Graphic Design HTML Email Designer to join our creative team.

• Design and build responsive HTML email campaigns
• Customise and maintain existing templates
• Ensure campaigns are optimised across devices and platforms
• Create supporting banners for web and social media

• Graphic Design Skills are Required (Not Negotiable)
• Strong portfolio showcasing designed & coded emails
• Solid HTML5 & CSS3 knowledge
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver) proficiency (Not Negotiable)
• Understanding of responsive design & email rendering

• Detail-obsessed and pixel-perfect
• Deadline-driven and organised
• A proactive team player (who can also work independently)
• Passionate about high-quality design that drives results
• Positive, with a great sense of humour

Think you’re the right fit? Send your CV & portfolio to

• Entry level

• Full-time

• Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

• Telecommunications

Are you an open and creative thinker with a passion for design? Are you looking to take your career to the next level in a fast-growing, forward-thinking creative agency brimming with opportunity?

Stylistic is a global creative force delivering outstanding work for clients worldwide. We are a high-energy, kind, and proactive company that values quality, creativity, and long-term relationships. We specialise in brand development, creative multimedia, e-commerce and content management websites. Our local studio in Brooklyn, Pretoria, is on the lookout for an exceptional graphic designer and WordPress ninja to join our growing global team of experts (who are also very nice people).

In this role, you'll be working closely with our experienced design team, bringing fresh ideas to the table, gaining hands-on experience and valuable insights. This is a great opportunity for a passionate and creative individual looking to grow their design career in a fast-paced, supportive, and inspiring environment.

Short-listed candidates will undergo a screening and skills assessment to ensure they think, walk and vibe like us. To apply, please send your CV and your portfolio showcasing your best work.

Requirements:

• Be available to work full time from our Brooklyn office
• Degree in graphic design
• 4 years work experience (agency experience preferential)
• A CV and strong portfolio showcasing your design projects and creative abilities
• Proficiency in the latest version of adobe creative cloud programmes
• Mac-savvy
• Well-versed in Microsoft Office programs 
• Strong design, typography, and layout skills
• The ability to follow brand guidelines and deliver on a brief
• Experienced in designing and building WordPress websites
• Strong communication skills - speaks and writes English with confidence and clarity
• Manage time well and work quickly
• Enthusiastic, passionate about good design with a great eye for detail
• Adapt and learn quickly in a dynamic and evolving design landscape
• Reliable, with a commitment to producing quality work
• Enthusiastic attitude to life and a good sense of humour is a prerequisite
• Collaborate with designers, copywriters, and creative directors to develop impactful campaigns

Next Generation is a dynamic and innovative retail brand seeking a talented VM manager. The perfect candidate is creative and passionate about retail.

1. Must be willing to travel across South Africa often (VM manager is out of Johannesburg every second week)
2. Must be creative
3. Must have a strong understanding of visual merchandising principles and techniques
4. Must have strong communication skills
5. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
6. Must be proficient in Adobe Suite
7. Must have experience in a VM role