Graphic Designer / Printing Coordinator (AI-Driven)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer / Printing Coordinator (AI-Driven)

Company: EY

Location: Johannesburg, GP, South Africa

Job Type: Contract (with potential for permanent appointment)

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-08-02

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a hybrid of graphic design and print coordination, focusing on developing compelling visual content and managing its production.

• A significant emphasis is placed on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance the design process, create innovative visuals, and optimize workflows.

• The position is part of the Creative Services team within EY's Clients & Industries and Business Development function, contributing to market leadership strategy.

• The candidate will be responsible for delivering high-quality, brand-aligned design solutions for both internal and external audiences, adhering to EY's established identity and values.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title includes "Graphic Designer" and "Printing Coordinator," the AI-driven aspect and the emphasis on advanced design software like After Effects and Premiere Pro suggest a role that leans towards digital content creation and motion graphics, in addition to traditional print design. The "AI-Driven" component indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations, requiring adaptability and a willingness to explore new technologies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop a wide range of branding materials, including brochures, placemats, illustrations, infographics, presentations, and social media content, ensuring adherence to EY brand guidelines.

• Interpret project briefs and client requirements to conceptualize and produce initial design drafts, maintaining high standards for aesthetic quality and operational efficiency.

• Utilize advanced AI tools and technologies to assist in design creation, video content production (editing, motion graphics, visual effects), and the development of interactive marketing content.

• Manage the end-to-end print production process, including preparing files for various print formats (e.g., brochures, name tags, table talkers), coordinating with technicians, and maintaining an inventory of necessary print materials.

• Proactively identify and resolve print-related issues, liaising with technicians and the procurement department to ensure uninterrupted production.

• Stay current with emerging design trends, particularly in AI and digital media, and share insights with the team and clients to foster innovation.

• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, internal project leaders, and clients to exchange ideas, clarify design requirements, and achieve optimal project outcomes.

• Manage multiple assignments and deadlines concurrently, with guidance from supervisors, demonstrating strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Contribute creative input during decision-making processes and participate actively in organizational initiatives and team-building activities.

• Report to the Creative Lead or Senior Designer for guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback, fostering a dynamic, high-performing team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: traditional graphic and print design combined with cutting-edge AI integration. The role requires not only creative execution but also operational oversight of the printing process and a proactive approach to problem-solving in both design and production. The "AI-driven" aspect implies a need for individuals who can not only use AI tools but also potentially train others and optimize workflows with AI.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma in Graphic Design. Experience:

• Minimum of 2+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a preference for candidates with agency experience.

• Demonstrable experience in managing print production processes, including file preparation, material management, and vendor coordination.

• Proven ability to work with various design software and a growing proficiency in AI-powered design tools. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

• Proficiency in motion graphics and video editing software: After Effects, Premiere Pro.

• Strong command of Microsoft PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Familiarity and proficiency with AI tools for design and content creation.

• Solid understanding of typography fundamentals, layout balance, and visual design principles.

• Experience in producing a variety of print materials (brochures, placemats, name tags, etc.).

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and receive feedback.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all design and production tasks.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Adaptability and a positive attitude within a collaborative team setting. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within a professional services or corporate environment.

• Knowledge of print production techniques and best practices.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted design workflows and tools.

• Experience in developing interactive marketing content.

• Basic understanding of procurement processes for print materials.

• A portfolio showcasing a range of creative projects, including digital and print, and ideally AI-enhanced work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required software proficiency is extensive, covering the full Adobe Creative Suite and video editing tools, alongside a crucial requirement for AI tool proficiency. This suggests the role is aimed at a designer who is not only technically skilled but also forward-thinking and adaptable to new technologies impacting the creative industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong foundation in graphic design principles, including typography, layout, and branding.

• Specific examples of print collateral designed and produced, showcasing an understanding of print specifications and finishes.

• Case studies or examples of projects where AI tools were utilized to enhance the design process, create unique visuals, or optimize workflow efficiency.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in creating presentations, infographics, and social media content.

• Work samples that reflect adherence to brand guidelines and an ability to translate abstract concepts into visual assets. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of managing the print production workflow, from file preparation to final delivery, including any challenges overcome.

• Examples of how design briefs were interpreted and translated into successful visual solutions.

• Documentation of experience or learning in streamlining creative processes, particularly through the use of AI tools.

• Ability to articulate the creative ideation process, especially for AI-driven campaigns or content.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "AI-Driven" aspect of the role, candidates should be prepared to showcase how they've integrated AI into their design process. This could include examples of AI-generated imagery, AI-assisted layout adjustments, or AI-powered video editing. Demonstrating an understanding of workflow optimization through AI will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Johannesburg, South Africa, and considering the specialized AI skills, a competitive salary range would likely be between ZAR 250,000 to ZAR 400,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Johannesburg and the demand for digitally-skilled creative professionals within large organizations like EY. Benefits:

• Professional development support, offering opportunities for learning and skill enhancement.

• Access to training for new software and creative technologies, including advanced AI tools.

• Flexible working arrangements may be available, balancing on-site requirements with personal needs.

• Potential for transition into a permanent role, offering long-term career stability.

• Exposure to high-profile projects and collaboration with a global professional services firm.

• Contribution to advancing market leadership strategies through creative design. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, estimated at 40 hours per week. While primarily on-site, there may be flexibility depending on project demands and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in Johannesburg. The AI-generated benefits list is derived from the company's general description and common offerings for professional roles in the consulting industry. The "12-Month Contract with Potential for Permanent Appointment" is a key benefit that offers job security and career advancement potential.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Consulting, Assurance, Tax, Advisory). EY operates globally, providing a wide range of services to businesses across various sectors.

Company Size: EY is a very large global organization, employing over 300,000 people worldwide. This specific role is within the Africa market, likely part of a larger regional team.

Founded: Ernst & Young was formed in 1989 through the merger of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young. Its legacy dates back much further, with predecessor firms established in the 19th century. This history signifies a stable, established, and reputable organization.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Creative Services team, part of the EY Clients & Industries and Business Development function.

• This team likely comprises other designers, content creators, and potentially marketing specialists.

• The candidate will report to a Creative Lead or Senior Designer, indicating a hierarchical structure with opportunities for mentorship and guidance.

• Collaboration is expected with internal project leaders and potentially client-facing teams. Methodology:

• The team operates with a focus on delivering brand-aligned, high-quality visual solutions that support business objectives.

• Emphasis is placed on adherence to EY brand guidelines, operational efficiency, and timeliness.

• The integration of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking methodology that embraces technological advancements to enhance creative output and streamline processes.

• A user-centric approach is encouraged, focusing on interpreting user needs and transforming concepts into impactful visuals.

Company Website: https://www.ey.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's culture emphasizes professional development, integrity, and teaming. For a creative role, this translates to a supportive environment for skill growth, a focus on quality and brand consistency, and the expectation of collaborative teamwork. The "AI-Driven" aspect aligns with EY's broader strategy of embracing technology and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an early to mid-career Graphic Designer. It offers a foundational opportunity within a corporate creative services team, with a clear reporting structure to senior designers or leads. The combination of design and print coordination, along with the AI focus, provides a unique skill set.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer / Printing Coordinator will report directly to a Creative Lead or Senior Designer. This structure provides direct mentorship and opportunities to learn advanced design techniques, project management within a corporate setting, and AI integration strategies.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts EY's market leadership strategy by creating compelling visual communications that enhance brand perception, support business development efforts, and engage internal and external stakeholders. The quality and effectiveness of the designs contribute to the overall professional image and communication effectiveness of the firm.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, motion graphics, video editing, and advanced print production techniques.

• Career Progression: Potential advancement to Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or specialized roles within Creative Services or Marketing functions. The contract-to-permanent possibility offers a pathway to long-term employment and career stability within EY.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to collaborate with various business units and understand their design needs, broadening understanding of the professional services landscape.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success, opportunities to lead smaller projects, mentor junior designers, or champion AI integration initiatives within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-Driven" component is a significant differentiator for career growth, positioning the candidate at the forefront of emerging design technologies within a large, reputable organization. This can lead to specialized career paths and increased marketability.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role within EY's Johannesburg offices. This suggests a professional corporate office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Johannesburg, GP, South Africa. This location offers access to a major business hub with potential for networking and industry engagement.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to interact with colleagues in the Creative Services team and potentially other departments.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware will be provided, including industry-standard Adobe Creative Suite and AI tools.

• The environment will likely foster a culture of continuous learning, especially concerning new design trends and AI technologies.

• The role involves direct client interaction (internal and external), requiring a professional and client-ready demeanor. Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While on-site, EY often promotes a balance between work and personal life, which may allow for some flexibility in daily schedules, subject to business needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for collaborative team dynamics and direct oversight, which is common for roles involving print production and client-facing communication. However, EY's stated value of flexibility implies that some level of work-life balance is supported.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely review applications and resumes for basic qualifications and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Technical/Creative Assessment: Candidates may be asked to complete a design test or present a portfolio showcasing their skills in graphic design, print production, and AI tool usage. This is crucial for evaluating creative capabilities and technical proficiency.

• Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews are probable, including discussions with the hiring manager (Creative Lead/Senior Designer) and potentially other team members or stakeholders. These interviews will assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, cultural fit, and understanding of EY's brand and values.

• Final Round: A potential final interview with a more senior leader to discuss career aspirations, long-term fit, and finalize terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required: graphic design (print and digital), print production coordination, and AI integration.

• Showcase AI Impact: Clearly articulate how AI tools were used in specific projects. Highlight the problem solved, the AI tool employed, and the resulting improvement in efficiency or creative output.

• Demonstrate Process: For each project, explain your role, the brief, your design process, the software/tools used, and the final outcome. For print projects, detail the production challenges and solutions.

• Brand Adherence: Include examples of work that demonstrates an understanding of brand guidelines, like EY's, and how you adapted your designs accordingly.

• Presentation Matters: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Be prepared to walk through your portfolio confidently, explaining your rationale and contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a practical design task that might involve creating a piece of marketing collateral (e.g., a brochure, social media graphic, or presentation slide) based on a given brief, possibly requiring AI tool utilization.

• Print Scenario: You might be asked to describe how you would handle a specific print production issue or manage a complex print job.

• AI Integration Questions: Expect questions about your experience with AI design tools, your thoughts on the future of AI in design, and how you would integrate AI into EY's creative workflows.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare responses for questions about teamwork, problem-solving, handling feedback, and managing multiple projects, using the STAR method.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates must not only showcase creative talent but also demonstrate practical print production skills and, crucially, their ability to leverage AI in their design workflow. Articulating the "why" and "how" behind AI usage will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign (essential for print and digital collateral).

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro (critical for dynamic content creation).

• Presentation Software: Microsoft PowerPoint (for creating professional business presentations).

• AI Design Tools: Proficiency in various AI-powered design platforms is a key requirement. This could include generative AI art tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E), AI-powered editing assistants, or AI features integrated into existing design software.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not primary, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics may be beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards or reporting tools might be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems is unlikely to be a direct requirement, but understanding how marketing collateral might be used within CRM-driven campaigns could be advantageous.

• Automation tools might be relevant in terms of streamlining print ordering or project management workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the Adobe Creative Suite, coupled with After Effects and Premiere Pro, points towards a role that values sophisticated digital content creation. The explicit mention of "AI tools" indicates a need for familiarity with emerging technologies that are transforming the design landscape.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Integrity: Upholding EY's brand guidelines and ensuring all visual outputs are consistent, professional, and aligned with the firm's identity.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, to push creative boundaries and find more efficient ways of working.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the Creative Services team and cross-functionally with other departments to achieve shared goals.

• Quality & Efficiency: Delivering high-quality design work on time and within budget, demonstrating a commitment to operational excellence.

• Continuous Learning: A proactive approach to learning new design techniques, software, and industry trends, especially in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Collaboration Style:

• The team operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, requiring a flexible and adaptable approach.

• Expect a culture that encourages open communication, feedback exchange, and mutual support among team members.

• Collaboration extends to internal project leaders and potentially clients, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• The AI-focused aspect suggests a culture of experimentation and knowledge sharing regarding new tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values of integrity, teaming, and excellence are directly reflected in the team's expected operational values. The addition of "Innovation" and "Continuous Learning" is particularly relevant given the AI focus of this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Traditional and AI Design: Effectively integrating AI-generated elements with established brand guidelines and ensuring a cohesive final product.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Keeping pace with the constant advancements in AI design tools and understanding their practical applications for EY.

• Managing Print Production Logistics: Ensuring timely and high-quality print output, often requiring proactive problem-solving and coordination with multiple parties.

• Interpreting Diverse Briefs: Translating varied and sometimes ambiguous client requests into clear, impactful visual solutions.

• Time Management: Juggling multiple design projects, print coordination tasks, and learning new technologies simultaneously.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Opportunities to become an expert in AI-powered design workflows, potentially leading to internal training or consulting roles.

• Advanced Creative Software Training: Access to training for mastering After Effects, Premiere Pro, and other advanced design tools.

• Print Production Expertise: Developing in-depth knowledge of various printing techniques, materials, and best practices.

• Cross-Functional Project Exposure: Gaining experience working on diverse projects across EY's service lines, enhancing business acumen.

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from senior designers and creative leads on technical skills, career development, and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in becoming proficient with AI tools within a professional services context, which is a highly sought-after skill. This role offers a chance to shape how AI is adopted in creative operations for a major global firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a brochure from brief to final print. How would you incorporate AI into this process?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various design outputs, especially when using new tools like AI?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to solve a complex design or print production challenge. What was your approach and the outcome?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends, particularly in AI technology, and how do you evaluate new tools for potential use?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about EY and this specific role combining graphic design, print coordination, and AI?"

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your designs, especially from senior team members or clients?"

• "Describe a time you worked effectively as part of a team to deliver a project under pressure."

• "How do you see AI impacting the future of graphic design and corporate communications?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., print, digital, AI-enhanced) or by the problem solved. Start with your strongest, most relevant pieces.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your role, the tools and techniques used (highlighting AI where applicable), your creative process, and the results/impact.

• AI Integration Clarity: Clearly explain how AI was used and what value it added. Avoid simply listing AI tools; demonstrate their application and benefit.

• Print Production Detail: For print projects, be ready to discuss file preparation, color management, paper choices, binding methods, and any logistical challenges you managed.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a given timeframe, focusing on the most impactful examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of creative talent, technical proficiency, operational understanding of print, and a forward-thinking approach to AI. Demonstrating how you can apply these skills specifically within EY's context will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the EY Careers portal using the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most relevant design projects, specifically highlighting those that demonstrate graphic design, print production coordination, and particularly your experience with AI tools. Prepare to discuss the process and outcomes of each.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Premiere Pro, PowerPoint, and any AI design tools. Quantify achievements where possible, especially related to efficiency gains or successful print projects.

• Prepare for Technical/Creative Assessment: Be ready to complete a design task or present your portfolio. Practice articulating your design choices and AI integration strategies.

• Research EY's Brand: Familiarize yourself with EY's brand guidelines and their global presence to understand the context of the role and how your design work will contribute to their market strategy.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.