Samkelo Magula

Accomplished Digital Designer with extensive experience creating digital assets, website designs, and email campaigns. Proven track record as a Senior Graphic Designer leading teams and managing projects from concept to completion at Two Mountains Burial and Financial Services. Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, CSS, and animation.

Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality designs for various platforms, including social media, e-commerce, and mobile apps. Adept at collaborating with stakeholders to meet business needs and drive digital innovation.

Career goal: To leverage design skills in a dynamic environment that values creativity and strategic thinking.

Digital Designer - Bidvest Commercial Products T/A G.Fox - Germiston, Gauteng

(2023-02)

• Participating in design discussions and giving feedback during planning and strategy meetings.
• Quickly translating ideas into sketches, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Test assets and optimize them based on their performance.
• Iterate new designs based on user feedback.
• Creating digital assets (static, video, and HTML) for a range of platforms (social, display advertising, eCommerce, websites, mobile apps, etc.).
• Creating website assets from hero design to web animations (Web Sliders, Emailers, Social)
• Creating email designs for Evelytic and coordinating the creation of emailers and newsletters in HTML.
• Designing and developing homepages, landing pages, and email concepts.
• Brainstorming and executing concepts for digital advertising.
• Research industry and current design trends to present ideas and concepts for timely digital innovation.

Senior Graphic Designer - Two Mountains Financial Services - Midrand, Gauteng

(2020-02 - 2023-02)

• I led a young team of graphic designers providing design and aesthetics for Two Mountains by creating and assembling images and graphics to produce designs for various platforms for business needs.
• Conceptualize, plan, design, and produce a wide range of specialized graphic and/or illustrative material, to include multimedia concepts, as appropriate for Two Mountains.
• Preparing mock-ups and presenting to EXCO before deciding on a final design/concept.
• Editing proofs to the client's specifications and getting signoff/approval before finalizing the artwork.
• Working in hand with internal & external stakeholders, the Marketing manager is to ascertain needs and to develop graphic directions, concepts, and specifications for assigned projects.
• Plan production schedules for the various steps in the design process; analyze and project development costs, and develop project budgets and workflow.
• Identifying, selecting, and coordinating vendors for printing and publication services, as appropriate to the project, may write and process requests for proposals for printing requisitions; identify and recommend contractors, such as typesetters, printers, illustrators, photographers, and cartographers.
• Providing technical advice and guidance, and liaison with production personnel, authors, publishers, clients, and printing representatives on design and technical graphics issues.
• Participating in production and marketing planning group sessions and meetings, on a project basis.
• Writes and edits basic copy, as appropriate, which may include material and social media copy in some instances.
• May coordinate a graphics or photographic library and maintain digital records.
• Custodian of the Two Mountains CI
• Occasionally takes photography for business needs such as burials, events, exco communications, etc...

Head Graphic Designer - 0861Banner - Alberton, Gauteng

(2017-02 - 2020-01)

• Rolling out the Style guide of print media.
• Maintaining and uploading new products on the e-commerce website.
• Pantone swatching and making sure every colour gets printed out correctly.
• Proof checking all print media and job tickets are on the RIP machine for printing.
• Do site visits before quoting a client on large-format printing.
• Designing mockups and presenting to clients.
• Reported directly to the managing director.
• Layout artwork for print in incorrect sizes.
• Reason for leaving: I got a better offer

Graphic Designer - Digiwolf - Boksburg, Gauteng

(2016-01 - 2016-12)

• Customizing catalogs for online publications
• Designing various materials for print and digital collateral, inclusive of branding material, newsletters, social media content & corporate presentations
• Ensuring projects are completed with high quality on deadlines
• Liaising with external printers for printing jobs that we outsourced
• creative artwork for Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns as well as digital marketing.
• Supported the IT Department with Web banners, Vectors, Logos, and App design layout and mock-ups

Junior Graphic Designer - Shoe Empire - Boksburg, Gauteng

(2016-01 - 2016-11)

• Designed and produced signage for shops and in-store displays.
• Created Facebook ads and all the other social media designs.
• Managed online updates for both new and current stock.
• Produced lifestyle photos to convey the desired aesthetic.
• Oversaw style guide implementation across all branches.
• Reason for Leaving: Contract Ended
• Developed innovative design concepts for various clients, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
• Developed custom illustrations for website features, significantly improving user engagement and experience.
• Prepared and shared design drafts, sketches, and layouts to communicate initial progress.
• Created graphics for signage, packaging, and digital promotions using Adobe InDesign.

Intern Graphic Designer - 27Graphix - Vereenging, Gauteng

(2013-03 - 2014-11)

• Maintaining an online presence in all social media platforms
• Designing posters, Letterheads, and business cards
• Assisting the Lead designer with vectors and Shutterstock images
• Designing menu boards
• Reason for leaving: Got a better offer
• Maintained organised and updated file systems for easy staff use.
• Contributed to project management tasks, tracking progress and coordinating with team members for timely completion.
• Provided administrative support to multiple departments, aiding in the smooth running of day-to-day operations.
• Photocopied and printed documents for office team members.
• Filed physical and digital copies of important documents to maintain accurate and consistent records.
• Maintained accurate records and databases, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for relevant parties.
• Registered information on database to preserve accurate details.
• Entered and verified computer data to create reliable records.
• Created presentations and printed important documents to prepare for staff meetings.

BTech in Graphic Design - Graphic Design - Vaal University of Technology (2017-01 - 2017-11) Vereeniging, Gauteng

National Diploma in Graphic Design - Graphic Design - Vaal University of Technology (2013-01 - 2015-12) Vereeniging, Gauteng

Certificate in Matric - General Education - East Rand School of the Arts (2007-01 - 2010-11) Benoni, Gauteng