Senior Designer (Cape Town)

At Hippocampus, we’re creatives obsessed with the human brain — how what we see makes us feel, and how moments become memory. Guided by neuropsychology and the science of human behaviour, we design work that connects deeply, lingers longer, and resonates more powerfully. Our namesake turns thinking into being; we turn insight into brand experiences that leave a lasting imprint.

We’re looking for a Senior Designer to elevate our craft across brand, digital, and campaign work — a systems thinker with impeccable taste, who can lead projects end-to-end, mentor others, and champion ideas from spark to ship.

What you’ll do

• Lead brand and campaign design across a diverse client mix (wines & spirits, lifestyle, retail, purpose-driven).
• Own the craft: set visual direction, build robust design systems, and ensure consistent quality across touchpoints (digital, social, print, experiential).
• Turn strategy into design: translate behavioural insights and creative briefs into distinctive, memory-making visual solutions.
• Present with clarity: sell the work internally and to clients, articulating the “why” with confidence and evidence.
• Mentor and collaborate: coach mid/junior designers; partner with art directors, writers, and strategists to deliver cohesive platforms.
• Ship flawlessly: oversee production — from prototypes and mockups to final, production-ready artwork; engage suppliers where needed.
• Push the frontier: track culture, design, and tech trends (AI, motion, interaction) and bring fresh inspiration into the studio.
• Contribute to growth: support pitches, scope projects with producers, and help refine our processes and standards.

What we’re looking for

• 6–8+ years in design (agency or brand-led environment), with a portfolio that blends conceptual thinking and exquisite craft (typography, layout, colour, art direction).
• Proven experience leading projects and guiding designers; calm under pressure with strong ownership and accountability.
• Advanced in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and comfortable in Figma; bonus for motion/video (After Effects, Premiere), 3D, or prototyping tools.
• Sharp attention to detail; able to move from big-idea territories to precise production.
• Strong client-facing presence: facilitating workshops, presenting routes, and thoughtfully responding to feedback via client service.
• Commercial awareness — balancing creativity with business goals and constraints.
• Curiosity about human behaviour, culture, and creativity (a love of the brain is optional, but encouraged!).

What we offer

• A boutique environment where neuroscience meets creativity — and brave ideas are backed by insight.
• A varied slate of brands and briefs that keep the work fresh and stretching.
• A collaborative, supportive team that values curiosity, experimentation, and bold thinking.
• Real scope to grow — in influence, craft, and leadership.
• A diverse mix of clients and projects that keep the work fresh and challenging.
• A collaborative, supportive team culture that values curiosity, experimentation, and bold thinking.