Zamani Xolo

I am a multi-disciplinary senior designer/art director based in Johannesburg, South Africa with vast experience in branding, digital and traditional graphic design and over a decade of experience. I have worked for design studios and advertising agency(as a designer & art director) and multiple media & publishing companies (as designer & layout sub for Newspapers and Magazines), including a number of collaboration with artists, arts and culture institutions; on projects ranging from websites, social media, magazines to coffee table books. In my work I strive to find the perfect balance between aesthetics and utility, and a focus on problem solving.

I have a knack for craft and technical implementation. In keeping up with the latest shift in business and the industry I am currently pursuing an MIT Applied AI & Data Science Professional Certificate Program, to utilize GenAI, Machine Learning and Data in conjunction with my web design knowledge and aptitude for technical problem-solving to be ready for design and business problems of the future.

Senior Art Director - Bubblegum Club - Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

(2021-09 - 2023-09)

• Idea generation, art direction and campaigns design for clients including Spotify, MultiChoice, Wikipedia, and a multiple in-house projects like Bubblegum Club's online magazine
• Creating presentation decks
• Technical Management of Digital Campaigns working with suppliers and external collaborators, eg. Printers, Developers, Talent etc.

Art Director - THE ODD NUMBER - Johannesburg Sandton

(2014-10 - 2017-10)

• Idea generation, art direction and campaigns design for clients such as BBC, Brand South Africa, Heineken SA, FNB and more
• Creating presentation decks collaborating team members, and external creative collaborators like Directors, Photographers, Retouchers and Talent

Layout Sub-editor - Times Media Group - Johannesburg

(2007-11 - 2011-06)

• Collecting stories from reporters and news-wires, working with photographers and features editors in selecting images that best suit the stories
• Worked on the following titles: Wanted Magazine (BusinessDay), SundayTimes Magazine, SundayWorld and Sowetan newspapers

Graphic Designer - Wordsetc - Johannesburg

(2007-12 - 2010-02)

• Producing a quarterly printed literary quarterly journal; from the art direction of each issue, design and layout, to printing and delivery of the final product
• Creating promotional materials for exhibiting, book fairs, book launches throughout the literary calendar