Mid Graphic Designer (Motion Graphics)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Mid Graphic Designer (Motion Graphics)

Company: SMD Technologies

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Graphic Design / Motion Graphics

Date Posted: 2025-06-13T12:36:45

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead graphic design projects encompassing both static and motion design deliverables, ensuring visual consistency and brand adherence across diverse media.
• Develop and execute short-form animated content for digital platforms, in-store displays, and client presentations, translating static visual concepts into dynamic motion graphics.
• Conceptualize, design, and finalize packaging, point-of-sale (POS) materials, flyers, posters, and catalogues that effectively capture consumer attention and communicate brand messaging.
• Collaborate closely with desktop publishing (DTP) and production teams to facilitate a seamless handover of design files for print production, ensuring technical specifications are met.
• Contribute to the evolution and application of brand identities, creatively interpreting and consistently applying brand guidelines across various formats and product lines.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually compelling graphics for both digital and print applications, demonstrating a strong understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and composition principles to create impactful visual communication.
• Create engaging short-form animated content, including explainer videos, social media clips, and animated graphics for in-store displays and shelf mocks, utilizing motion design principles to enhance brand storytelling and product presentation.
• Develop innovative packaging designs, promotional flyers, eye-catching posters, and comprehensive product catalogues that align with brand aesthetics and effectively market consumer goods.
• Generate design concepts from initial brainstorming phases through to final production-ready artwork, managing the design lifecycle and ensuring creative vision is maintained throughout.
• Work in tandem with DTP and production specialists to prepare files for print, ensuring accurate color profiles, bleed settings, resolution, and other technical requirements are met for high-quality output.
• Actively participate in the refinement and application of brand identities, translating brand guidelines into practical design solutions for both static and motion assets across a diverse product portfolio.
• Stay informed about current trends in packaging design, retail environments, graphic design, and motion graphics to bring fresh and relevant perspectives to design projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A relevant qualification in Graphic Design, Motion Design, Visual Communication, or a related creative field is required, providing a foundational understanding of design principles, software proficiency, and creative processes.

Experience: 3-5 years of demonstrated professional experience in a creative design role is essential. This experience should be supported by a brilliant portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design and animation projects, highlighting successful application of design principles and technical skills in real-world scenarios.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including expert command of After Effects for motion graphics, Illustrator for vector graphics, Photoshop for image manipulation, and InDesign for layout and publishing.
• Demonstrated ability to create compelling motion graphics and animations for various digital and display platforms, understanding animation principles, timing, and visual storytelling through movement.
• Proven graphic design skills with a keen eye for layout, composition, typography, and color, capable of producing high-quality static designs for print and digital media.
• Experience in designing packaging, point-of-sale materials, flyers, and campaign roll-outs, demonstrating an understanding of print production processes and retail design considerations.
• Ability to develop creative concepts from initial brief to final execution, effectively translating marketing objectives and brand strategy into visual solutions.
• Confidence in presenting design work and articulating creative decisions and rationale clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, including clients and internal teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D design software or rendering, adding a significant layer of capability for product visualization, motion graphics enhancements, or spatial design elements.
• A strong understanding of design principles specific to web and digital presentation formats, including responsive design considerations and digital asset optimization.
• Experience working within brand guidelines and contributing to the evolution or maintenance of brand identities across different product lines or campaigns.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include a brilliant and well-organized portfolio website or PDF that showcases a diverse range of both static graphic design projects and motion graphics work.
• Feature case studies that clearly articulate your design process, from initial concept and research through ideation, iteration, and final execution for both print and motion projects.
• Present high-quality visuals of your design work, including examples of packaging, POS materials, flyers, posters, and digital assets, demonstrating attention to detail and technical proficiency.
• For motion graphics, provide clear links to video hosting platforms (like Vimeo or YouTube) or embed videos directly, showcasing your animation skills, timing, and storytelling abilities.

Process Documentation:

• Document your design process for selected projects, explaining your approach to understanding project briefs, conducting research (market, competitor, trend), and defining design objectives.
• Detail your ideation and iteration methods, including sketches, wireframes (if applicable), mood boards, and multiple design options explored before arriving at the final solution.
• Explain your validation and testing approaches, such as how you gathered feedback on designs, conducted usability testing (if relevant), or ensured designs met technical specifications for print or digital output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Mid Graphic Designer (Motion Graphics) in Johannesburg, South Africa with 3-5 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is R300,000 - R480,000 ZAR. This estimate is based on research of similar roles in the Gauteng region, considering the cost of living and typical compensation for mid-level design professionals with specialized skills in motion graphics within the consumer goods or related industries. Actual compensation may vary based on exact experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Enjoy "Snack Days" providing a variety of refreshments to fuel creativity and collaboration within the studio environment.
• Participate in a weekly staff lunch, fostering team bonding and providing a relaxed atmosphere for informal interactions.
• Access an Employee Wellness Programme designed to support the physical and mental well-being of employees, offering resources and initiatives to promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Opportunities to grow and improve knowledge through potential training, workshops, or access to learning resources relevant to design and motion graphics trends.
• Real projects offering tangible experience and opportunities to demonstrate design impact and professional growth.

Working Hours: Standard working hours are 08:00 - 17:00 on weekdays. While a standard schedule is provided, the nature of creative work may occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines or attend events, though generally adhering to the specified hours.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Consumer Goods, specializing in developing and distributing a wide range of consumer brands across various categories, including consumer electronics, audio tech, luggage, and more. This industry context implies a fast-paced environment focused on product marketing, packaging, and retail presentation.

Company Size: SMD Technologies has between 201-500 employees globally, with headquarters in Johannesburg. This size suggests a well-established company with structured teams, potentially offering opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and access to resources, while still maintaining a potentially close-knit design team environment.

Founded: Founded in 2005, SMD Technologies has over 15 years of experience in the consumer goods market, indicating a stable and growing organization with established processes and a history of developing successful brands.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Head of Studio & Traffic, suggesting a structured design team with clear leadership and project management processes.
• Collaboration with DTP and production teams is explicitly mentioned, indicating a close working relationship between design, pre-press, and manufacturing/fulfillment.
• The mention of a "young and vibey office space" and "heaps of staff spoils" suggests a potentially energetic and employee-focused culture within the company.

Methodology:

• The need to develop concepts "from scratch" and see them through to "print-ready perfection" implies a design process that includes ideation, design development, and technical preparation for production.
• The requirement to "apply brand guidelines creatively and consistently" suggests a methodology that balances creative exploration with adherence to established brand systems.
• Staying "up to date with packaging, retail and design trends" indicates a focus on market awareness and incorporating contemporary design approaches.

Company Website: http://www.smdtechnologies.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Mid-Level Graphic Designer role with a specialization in Motion Graphics. At this level, designers are expected to work with greater autonomy, take the lead on projects, and contribute significantly to the creative output, moving beyond entry-level support roles.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to the Head of Studio & Traffic indicates a position within the core creative leadership structure, allowing for direct guidance and feedback on design work while also potentially providing exposure to project management and studio operations.

Design Impact: The role has a direct impact on the visual identity and marketing effectiveness of SMD Technologies' diverse portfolio of consumer brands. The designs created, both static and motion, will directly influence how products are perceived in the market, on shelves, and across digital platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement within the design team, possibly towards Senior Graphic Designer, Lead Motion Designer, or even roles within creative leadership depending on performance and skill development.
• Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as packaging design, motion graphics techniques, or brand development through exposure to a wide range of projects and brands.
• Potential for increased responsibility in project management, client interaction, or mentoring junior designers as experience grows.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The description mentions a "young and vibey office space" located at 2 Lascelles Road, Meadowbrook, Edenvale. This suggests a dynamic and potentially informal creative studio environment designed to foster collaboration and creativity. Being an on-site role, daily interaction with the design team and other departments is expected.

Office Location(s): The primary location is 2 Lascelles Road, Meadowbrook, Edenvale, Johannesburg. While SMD Technologies has other global offices, this role is specifically based at the Johannesburg headquarters, which is the central hub for the design team reporting to the Head of Studio.

Design Workspace Context:

• The mention of "heaps of staff spoils" and "the best coffee in SA" suggests a focus on creating a comfortable and enjoyable workspace that supports creative work and employee well-being.
• Proximity to the DTP and production teams is implied by the collaborative responsibilities, suggesting a workspace that facilitates easy communication and handover for print projects.
• The "young and vibey" atmosphere might indicate an open-plan layout or dedicated creative spaces designed for brainstorming and collaboration among designers.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 08:00 - 17:00 on weekdays. This full-time, on-site schedule provides a consistent structure for collaboration and project work within the studio environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• The initial step likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio by the hiring team, focusing on the breadth and quality of your static and motion design work and relevant experience.
• Shortlisted candidates may undergo an introductory interview, potentially with HR or the Head of Studio, to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role. Be prepared to speak about your design philosophy and career goals.
• A subsequent interview round will likely involve a deeper dive into your portfolio, where you will be asked to present and discuss specific case studies, explaining your design process, challenges faced, and outcomes.
• A design challenge or technical test may be part of the process to assess your practical skills in both graphic design and motion graphics software (Adobe Creative Suite).
• Final interviews may involve meeting with other members of the design team or cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., marketing, product) to assess cultural fit and collaboration potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of both graphic design (especially packaging and print materials) and motion graphics work. Clearly label and categorize projects.
• For case studies, focus on explaining the problem you were solving, your design process (research, ideation, iteration), your role in the project, and the impact of your design.
• When presenting motion graphics, provide context for the animation (purpose, target audience) and highlight your technical skills in After Effects and other relevant software.
• Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight projects relevant to consumer goods, branding, and retail environments if possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is assigned, carefully read the brief and clarify any ambiguities. Allocate time effectively to address both the static and motion aspects of the challenge, if included.
• Be prepared to explain your design decisions and rationale during a presentation of your solution. Demonstrate your understanding of the target audience, brand, and technical constraints.
• Practice articulating your design process under timed conditions, focusing on efficiency and clarity in your workflow and decision-making.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Packaging Design, POS Design, Flyer Design, Poster Design, Catalogue Design, Brand Identity, Animation, Layout, Composition, Typography, Color Theory, Visual Communication, Print Design, Digital Design, Case Study, Portfolio, Creative Process, Concept Development, Production Handover, Trend Awareness, Consumer Goods, Retail Design, Branding, DTP, Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Visual Storytelling, 3D Design (Bonus), Web Design (Understanding), Presentation Formats.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: Essential for creating and editing motion graphics and animations, requiring proficiency in keyframing, effects, rendering, and working with various file formats.
• Adobe Illustrator: Used for creating vector graphics, illustrations, logos, and complex layouts, crucial for scalable designs in packaging and print.
• Adobe Photoshop: Utilized for image editing, manipulation, and creating raster graphics for digital and print use, including mockups and visual effects.
• Adobe InDesign: Employed for layout design of catalogues, flyers, posters, and other multi-page documents, requiring skills in text formatting, image placement, and pre-press preparation.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration is key, likely involving standard communication tools (e.g., email, potentially Slack or Microsoft Teams) for interaction with the Head of Studio, DTP, and production teams.
• Handoff to DTP and production will require preparing files with correct specifications (bleeds, color profiles, layers) using features within Adobe Creative Suite applications.
• Documentation of brand guidelines and design assets may involve shared drives or potentially a digital asset management system, though not explicitly stated.

Research & Testing:

• Research tools might include online resources for trend analysis (packaging, retail, design), competitor analysis, and gathering inspiration.
• Testing for print designs involves working with production teams to review proofs and samples.
• For motion graphics, testing involves reviewing animations on target platforms and gathering feedback on visual appeal and clarity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• A core value is likely the creation of visually compelling and effective designs that drive consumer attention and product sales within the competitive consumer goods market.
• Emphasis on creativity and innovation ("craft a killer visual identity," "bring a little motion magic") combined with practicality and attention to detail ("print-ready perfection," "flawless handover").
• Valuing trend awareness and continuous learning to stay relevant in the fast-evolving design and retail landscape.
• A focus on teamwork and collaboration, working closely with internal teams (DTP, production) to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative and communicative, working closely with the Head of Studio for guidance and feedback.
• Integrated collaboration with DTP and production teams, requiring clear communication about design specifications and technical requirements for print.
• Potential for cross-functional interaction with marketing or brand teams to understand project briefs and contribute to visual strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative innovation with the need to adhere to established brand guidelines across a diverse portfolio of brands and product lines.
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously with varying deadlines and technical requirements for both print and motion outputs.
• Staying ahead of rapidly changing design trends in packaging, retail, and motion graphics to keep brand visuals fresh and competitive.
• Ensuring seamless collaboration and technical accuracy when handing off designs to DTP and production teams for mass manufacturing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to significantly enhance skills in both static graphic design and motion graphics through hands-on experience with real-world consumer brands.
• Potential for learning advanced techniques in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly After Effects, and exploring complementary skills like 3D design if interested.
• Exposure to the full lifecycle of product design and marketing, from concept to retail, providing a comprehensive understanding of the consumer goods industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your design process for a specific packaging or motion graphics project from your portfolio, explaining your initial understanding of the brief, research, ideation, and execution steps.
• Discuss how you approach working within existing brand guidelines while still bringing creative and innovative ideas to projects.
• Explain your experience collaborating with DTP or production teams and how you ensure designs are technically ready for print or digital output.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research SMD Technologies' brands (Volkano, Rocka, Eiger, etc.) and be prepared to discuss your thoughts on the design aesthetic and how your skills align with their brand identities.
• Ask questions about the design team structure, how feedback is given and received, and the typical workflow for a design project from concept to completion.
• Inquire about the company culture, opportunities for professional development, and how the design team stays current with industry trends.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-4 key projects for a detailed walkthrough, ensuring they showcase both your graphic design (especially packaging/print) and motion graphics capabilities.
• For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the final outcome or impact.
• When presenting motion graphics, explain your creative choices, the software used, and how the animation effectively communicates the intended message.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link.
• Customize your design portfolio to specifically highlight projects that demonstrate your skills in both static graphic design (particularly packaging, POS, print) and motion graphics, including case studies that detail your design process.
• Optimize your resume to include relevant design-specific keywords, emphasizing your experience with Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), packaging design, motion graphics, and collaboration with production teams.
• Prepare for the interview by practicing presenting your portfolio case studies, articulating your design process, and preparing to discuss your technical skills and experience with design challenges.
• Research SMD Technologies and their various consumer brands to understand their market position and design aesthetic, preparing questions about the design team, culture, and workflow.