Senior Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Visual Designer

Company: X, bigly labs

Location: Melrose Arch (Hybrid), Johannesburg, GP, South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative - Visual Design / Brand Identity

Date Posted: 2026-06-22

Experience Level: Senior (8-12+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Designs and delivers high-quality visual communication solutions across brand, campaign, and strategic projects to strengthen brand impact within the healthcare innovation sector.

• Translates complex business challenges into impactful visual communication solutions by leveraging strategic thinking, design craft, and brand expertise across multiple channels and mediums.

• Manages and prioritizes design activities to deliver creative projects within agreed timelines, scope, and quality standards.

• Cultivates and maintains effective relationships with business units, principal design leads, writers, designers, and key stakeholders through proactive collaboration and confident presentation of creative recommendations.

• Shapes the creative direction of key initiatives by introducing innovative visual approaches, design trends, and evolving creative methodologies to elevate the quality and impact of the Creative Lab.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within an "innovation hub" focused on healthcare, suggesting a need for designers who can not only execute visually but also contribute strategically to new product development and market positioning. The emphasis on "radical customer focus" and "patient-focused experiences" implies a need for empathetic design thinking.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and deliver visually distinctive brand identities and integrated campaign assets across digital, print, retail, environmental, and experiential touchpoints.

• Develop high-quality visual communication systems that effectively translate strategic objectives into compelling narratives and engaging user experiences.

• Lead art direction for photography, illustration, and other visual assets, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and project goals.

• Collaborate closely with strategists, writers, marketers, and other business stakeholders to ensure cohesive and impactful creative output.

• Present creative concepts and articulate design rationale clearly and persuasively to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Maintain design quality and consistency across multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring a unified brand presence.

• Proactively identify and champion emerging design trends and innovative methodologies to enhance the Creative Lab's capabilities.

• Mentor and guide junior designers and creative contributors, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development.

• Manage complex design projects from initial concept through to final production, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to scope.

• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of brand systems and visual identity governance for X, bigly labs and its initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "shape the creative direction" and "introduce innovative visual approaches" indicates a senior-level expectation for thought leadership and proactive contribution beyond assigned tasks, particularly in the context of healthcare innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Visual Communication Design, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Multimedia Design, Fine Arts, Brand Design, or a related creative discipline.

• Equivalent enterprise-level portfolio experience will be considered in lieu of formal education. Experience:

• Typically 8-12+ years of experience in advertising, brand, or creative environments.

• Proven experience developing and executing visual identities, campaigns, publications, and communication systems across multiple channels.

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic and conceptual thinking into high-quality visual outcomes.

• Experience working across print, editorial, digital, environmental, and experiential design applications.

• Strong art direction capability, including directing photography, illustration, and other visual assets.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including strategists, writers, marketers, and other business stakeholders.

• Experience presenting creative concepts and defining design rationale to senior stakeholders.

• Previous mentoring or guidance of junior designers and creative contributors is advantageous.

• Demonstrated track record of developing distinctive visual identities, producing high-quality brand communication work, and creating visually compelling storytelling across multiple formats and touchpoints.

• Proven ability to elevate design quality through strong craft, typography, layout, and visual thinking.

• Experience managing complex design projects from concept through production and maintaining consistency and quality across multiple concurrent initiatives. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Expertise in visual storytelling and presentation tools.

• Strong conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.

• Deep understanding and expertise in visual communication, brand identity systems, typography, layout, and fundamental design principles.

• Ability to understand how design contributes to business objectives, brand equity, and audience engagement.

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills for building strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups.

• Experience in campaign rollout systems across digital, retail, motion, and experiential formats. Preferred Skills:

• Motion design or creative direction experience.

• Strong working understanding of brand systems and visual identity governance.

• Familiarity with production processes (print, digital, motion, retail environments).

• Experience with creative workflow management tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "award-recognised portfolio and industry distinction" alongside the extensive experience requirement highlights the need for a candidate with a proven, high-caliber track record. The inclusion of specific tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and broader categories like "visual storytelling and presentation tools" provides clear technical expectations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of visual identity systems, demonstrating conceptual depth and execution excellence.

• Include case studies of integrated campaigns across multiple channels (digital, print, retail, etc.), highlighting strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

• Present examples of strong art direction, including photography and illustration direction.

• Feature projects that demonstrate sophisticated typography, layout, and overall design craft.

• Provide evidence of managing complex design projects from concept to completion, including timelines and stakeholder management.

• Include examples of how design contributed to specific business objectives or brand equity.

• Showcase work that reflects an understanding of patient-focused experiences within the healthcare context. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate clear articulation of the design process for selected projects, from brief interpretation to final delivery.

• Illustrate how strategic thinking was translated into visual concepts and design solutions.

• Explain the rationale behind design decisions and how they align with business objectives.

• Detail collaboration with cross-functional teams and how feedback was integrated.

• Showcase the management of project timelines, scope, and quality control measures.

• Provide insights into how brand consistency and governance were maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on strategic impact, the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures but a curated narrative of problem-solving, strategic thinking, and measurable outcomes. Demonstrating an understanding of the healthcare industry is a significant plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated salary range for a Senior Visual Designer in Johannesburg, South Africa, with 8-12+ years of experience, typically falls between ZAR 750,000 to ZAR 1,100,000 per annum. This range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for senior creative roles in major South African metropolitan areas, considering the company's focus on innovation and the seniority of the position. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical aid and potentially dental and vision coverage.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., provident fund or pension fund contribution).

• Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.

• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between remote and in-office work.

• Access to cutting-edge technology and design tools.

• Employee wellness programs.

• Potential for participation in innovative healthcare projects. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, estimated at 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be offered due to the hybrid work arrangement, with core hours likely required for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the hybrid work arrangement and the nature of creative work, some flexibility in daily hours might be expected, provided project deadlines and collaborative needs are met. The company's focus on innovation might also translate into opportunities for creative exploration beyond standard project work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Retail Innovation. X, bigly labs operates as an innovation hub for Dis-Chem, a major pharmacy and healthcare provider in South Africa. This positions them at the intersection of healthcare services, retail, and technology.

Company Size: X, bigly labs is an innovation hub, suggesting a dynamic, potentially smaller, agile team within the larger Dis-Chem organization. Dis-Chem itself is a large retail and healthcare group.

Founded: X, bigly labs is positioned as a high-performance innovation hub, implying a relatively recent establishment focused on modernizing healthcare through digital solutions. Dis-Chem was founded in 1997.

Team Structure:

• The "Creative Lab" is likely a central creative function within X, bigly labs, responsible for visual identity and campaign design.

• This role reports into a Creative Lead or Head of Design, with potential collaboration across strategy, product, marketing, and data science teams.

• The structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation in healthcare. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to design, leveraging insights to inform creative decisions and customer experiences.

• Radical customer focus, with an emphasis on patient-centric design and improving healthcare access.

• Agile and iterative development processes for digital solutions.

• Focus on building "breakthroughs" and "reimagining healthcare" through technology.

Company Website: https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/xbiglylabs/jobs/4904867101 (Note: This is the job board URL, the actual company website might be different or integrated within Dis-Chem's site).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "reimagine what healthcare can be" and "lower costs, unlock new possibilities, and improve access" indicates a culture that values innovation, social impact, and forward-thinking solutions. The "radical customer focus" suggests a strong emphasis on user empathy and experience design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Visual Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. It signifies a significant contribution to the creative output and strategic direction of the Creative Lab.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Visual Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Design within the X, bigly labs innovation hub. They will collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including strategists, writers, marketers, and potentially product managers and data analysts.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "revenue operations" role, this visual design position has a significant impact on the perception and adoption of X, bigly labs' digital healthcare solutions. Strong visual design enhances user experience, builds brand trust, communicates value effectively, and ultimately influences customer engagement and the success of innovative healthcare initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion design, UX/UI design for healthcare applications, or brand strategy for digital products.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Creative Lead or Art Director role, managing projects and mentoring a team of designers.

• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in the strategic planning and conceptualization phases of new healthcare solutions.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep experience in the rapidly evolving healthcare technology and innovation sector.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Developing a strong understanding of product development, marketing, and data analysis within a healthcare context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth opportunities" are framed within a creative and innovation context, focusing on advancing design skills and strategic contribution rather than traditional operational metrics. The role's impact is measured by the effectiveness and adoption of the visual communications it produces.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with a primary office location in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. This suggests a modern, professional workspace designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Melrose Arch is a well-known mixed-use development in Johannesburg, offering a vibrant and accessible business hub. This location likely provides convenient access and a professional setting for team meetings and collaborative sessions.

Workspace Context:

• The Melrose Arch office likely provides a well-equipped space for design work, potentially including collaborative zones, meeting rooms, and individual workstations.

• Access to advanced design software and hardware is expected.

• The hybrid model implies a need for effective remote collaboration tools and practices, alongside in-person interaction.

• The environment is described as fostering "radical customer focus" and innovation, suggesting a dynamic and forward-thinking atmosphere. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected.

• The hybrid arrangement allows for a blend of remote and in-office work, offering flexibility. Core collaboration days in the office are likely, with specific schedules to be determined.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Melrose Arch (Hybrid)" designation clearly indicates a requirement for some in-office presence, balancing the benefits of remote work with the collaborative needs of a design team. This suggests an expectation for structured hybrid working arrangements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and design aesthetic.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design rationale, and their approach to problem-solving. Expect questions about their experience with visual identity, campaign design, art direction, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A design challenge or case study may be presented, requiring candidates to demonstrate their conceptual thinking, visual execution, and ability to translate strategic briefs into design solutions within a given timeframe.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (e.g., writers, strategists) and key stakeholders to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the X, bigly labs environment.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with company vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities in visual identity, campaign design, and art direction. Prioritize work relevant to healthcare, innovation, or complex brand systems.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic challenges, your creative process, design rationale, and the outcomes or impact achieved. Use visual aids effectively.

• Showcase Craftsmanship: Highlight your mastery of typography, layout, color, and visual hierarchy. Ensure all presented work is polished and error-free.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams and presented to senior stakeholders. Explain how you've incorporated feedback.

• Highlight Innovation: If possible, include projects that showcase innovative approaches or a forward-thinking design perspective.

• Tailor to Healthcare: If you have healthcare-related design experience, make it prominent. If not, explain how your skills are transferable to this industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to articulate your design process from brief to execution.

• Practice translating abstract concepts or business objectives into visual ideas.

• Understand how to balance brand consistency with creative innovation.

• Consider how design can impact user engagement and business outcomes in the healthcare sector.

• Be ready to defend your design choices and explain your rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "radical customer focus" and "healthcare innovation" means candidates should be prepared to discuss how their design work impacts users and contributes to business goals within this specific sector. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but strategic thinking and problem-solving ability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Advanced proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These are foundational for visual design, branding, and campaign collateral creation.

• Visual Storytelling & Presentation Tools: Proficiency in tools like Keynote, PowerPoint, or similar platforms for creating compelling presentations of creative concepts and design rationale to stakeholders.

• Prototyping/Design Tools (Beneficial): While not explicitly listed, familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD could be advantageous, especially if the role involves digital product design adjacent to campaigns.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how visual assets perform (e.g., through A/B testing on digital platforms) would be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not applicable to this role. Other Relevant Technologies:

• Brand Systems & Governance Tools: Understanding how to work within or contribute to established brand guidelines.

• Production Processes: Familiarity with the technical requirements and workflows for print, digital, motion, and retail environments.

• Creative Workflow Management Tools: Experience with project management software used in creative agencies or internal creative departments (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira, Monday.com) is beneficial for managing design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is advanced proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite. The mention of "Campaign rollout systems across digital, retail, motion, and experiential formats" implies an understanding of how designs are implemented across various media, requiring knowledge of their specific technical and production requirements.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Breakthroughs: A drive to push boundaries, ask challenging questions ("How do we use data and today’s technology to build breakthroughs to better health?"), and develop novel solutions.

• Radical Customer Focus: Deep empathy and understanding of the customer (patient) experience, aiming to create truly patient-focused solutions.

• Data & Design Integration: A belief in leveraging data alongside design expertise to inform decisions and shape experiences.

• Impact & Ownership: A culture that values making a tangible difference, owning outcomes, and driving progress in healthcare.

• Agility & Urgency: A dynamic approach to problem-solving, characterized by care, urgency, and the ability to scale solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working collaboratively with strategists, writers, marketers, data scientists, and business stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Proactive Communication: Open and clear communication of design rationale, creative concepts, and project status.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: An environment where feedback is shared and received constructively to elevate creative output.

• Shared Ownership of Outcomes: Teams work together to achieve organizational objectives and drive the success of healthcare innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values emphasize a proactive, impact-driven, and customer-centric approach. This Senior Visual Designer will be expected to embody these values, contributing to a culture that embraces innovation and challenges the status quo in healthcare.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Healthcare Needs: Effectively visualizing and communicating intricate healthcare concepts and solutions to diverse audiences.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining established brand integrity while pushing creative boundaries for new initiatives.

• Navigating Stakeholder Expectations: Managing diverse perspectives and requirements from various business units and senior leadership.

• Rapidly Evolving Healthcare Landscape: Adapting design strategies to keep pace with technological advancements and changing healthcare regulations.

• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the effectiveness of visual communications in a sector where outcomes can be complex and long-term.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Healthcare Innovation: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for the healthcare technology sector.

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Exploring and applying cutting-edge design trends and techniques relevant to digital and experiential design.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Developing skills in influencing strategic direction and leading creative initiatives.

• Mentorship and Skill Sharing: Opportunities to learn from and mentor peers within a specialized Creative Lab environment.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential for attendance at design and healthcare innovation events to stay abreast of industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the specific context of healthcare innovation, requiring a designer who can think strategically and adapt to a complex, regulated industry. Growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise within this niche and developing leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex business challenge into a compelling visual identity or campaign. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, process, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple channels and diverse projects while also innovating?" (Prepare examples of balancing governance with creativity.)

• "Walk us through your approach to art directing photography or illustration for a campaign. How do you brief and guide external creatives?" (Demonstrate leadership and clear communication.)

• "How do you measure the success of your visual design work, especially in a sector like healthcare where impact can be multifaceted?" (Think beyond aesthetics to business objectives and user engagement.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about X, bigly labs' mission to reimagine healthcare?" (Research their mission and values thoroughly.)

• "How do you see your design expertise contributing to 'radical customer focus' and 'patient-focused experiences'?" (Connect your skills to their core principles.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment and how you build strong relationships with non-design stakeholders." (Highlight communication and teamwork.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends, and how do you decide which to incorporate into your work?" (Showcase continuous learning and strategic application.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of your experience and philosophy. Then, present 3-4 key projects in detail, focusing on storytelling: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, well-designed, and visually support your narrative without being overwhelming. Use high-resolution imagery.

• Articulate Rationale: For each design decision (color, typography, layout, imagery), be prepared to explain why you made it, linking it back to the brief, strategy, or user needs.

• Engage Stakeholders: Be ready to answer questions about your process, challenges, and how you'd approach future projects for X, bigly labs. Show enthusiasm for their mission.

• Highlight Seniority: Emphasize your leadership, mentoring experience, and strategic contribution in your project examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design skills but also demonstrate a deep understanding of X, bigly labs' mission, their focus on healthcare innovation, and their customer-centric approach. The interview will likely assess strategic thinking and collaborative potential as much as visual craft.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating expertise in visual identity, campaign design, art direction, and strategic thinking, ideally with examples relevant to technology, innovation, or healthcare. Ensure clear case study narratives.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 8-12+ years of relevant experience, advanced skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, and achievements in areas like brand development, campaign execution, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and project outcomes. Prepare to discuss your approach to art direction, stakeholder management, and how your work contributes to business objectives. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research X, bigly labs, its mission, and its relationship with Dis-Chem. Understand their focus on healthcare innovation, customer-centricity, and data-driven design. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs.

⚠️ 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.