Adept at utilizing cutting-edge AI tools such as Pencil Pro and Adobe Firefly to generate innovative content with efficiency. My expertise extends to crafting precise prompts that steer AI tools towards producing the exact visual outcomes required. Self-motivated and proactive, I am a detail-oriented team player with a strong sense of ambition. My initiative-taking prowess stands out as one of my most significant attributes, alongside my unwavering dependability. With a rich background that spans DTP, Graphic Design, and Sales, I have honed my skills through hands-on experience in both the printing and clothing manufacturing industries, catering to a wide array of local and international brands. I am eager to contribute to your team.
Hi, I’m
MANDLAKAZI MTHANA
CREATIVE ARTWORKER (EMEA)
Cape Town
Summary
Overview
12
years of professional experience
2
Languages
Work History
OLIVER Agency
Creative Artworker - EMEA
01.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Collaborated closely with a creative team to design and adapt visual content that meet client briefs and maintained high standards from inception to completion, encompassing digital, print, and social media platforms.
- Influenced client decisions and project direction with innovative creative input and design solutions.
- Ensured the consistency and quality of design deliverables, strictly adhering to brand guidelines and project specifications in a dynamic, deadline-oriented environment.
- Acted as a brand guardian, applying in-depth knowledge of brand guidelines to all creative outputs.
- Communicated effectively with internal stakeholders, presenting projects and integrating feedback to refine and iterate on design concepts.
- Stayed abreast of industry trends, brand movements, and advancements in AI, along with research on branding, automation, and marketing to inform design strategies.
- Demonstrated proactivity and robust project management skills, effectively handling multiple projects of varying sizes with seamless execution.
- Delivered polished final artwork and design toolkits for both digital and print materials, ensuring readiness for production and distribution.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Hirt and Carter Pty Ltd
Desktop Publishing Designer
01.2017 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Pre-press Image and colour management of linked artwork material.
- Managed tight deadlines successfully by prioritizing tasks effectively and utilizing efficient time management strategies.
- Designed eye-catching graphics for print and digital platforms, leading to improved user engagement and click-through rates.
- Layout Design according to each store visual campaign requirements.
- Packaging design (create new dies and customised cut outs) for stores' new campaign visual display units and merchandise storage units.
- Enhance visual communication.
- Design and Pre-flighting of PDFs.
- Escalation and troubleshooting of all desktop publishing related problems.
- Good eye for typography and layout.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by delivering high-quality desktop publishing designs on time and within budget constraints.
- Presented design concepts to clients confidently, resulting in higher approval rates and fewer revisions needed on projects.
- Updated pre-existing materials with fresh designs, giving clients a modernized look without sacrificing brand consistency.
- Maintained a strong attention to detail while managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring consistent quality across all deliverables.
Farbe Designs Pty Ltd
Head of Vinyl Printing Department
01.2015 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Established and led a new vinyl cutting department, training and mentoring new employees, resulting in a 70% increase in team efficiency.
- Created and adjusted artwork for vinyl printing, ensuring high-quality standards and timely project completion, which contributed to a 85% improvement in client satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented processes for the vinyl printing department, enhancing overall productivity and reducing errors by 98%.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Farbe Designs Pty Ltd
Graphic Designer
01.2015 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Pantone book colour matching and color separations.
- Follow client's briefs and brand identity.
- Developed creative design for print materials, brochures, banners, and signs.
- Conceptualized creative designs for print materials, banners, and signs.
- Employed design fundamentals when selecting typography, composition, layout, and color in design work.
- Build and maintain relationships with printing suppliers.
- Artwork Presentations (CADS) for client sign off.
- Artwork placement on clothing panels.
- Creating brand layout presentations in correspondence with brand CI guides and brand identity.
- Conceptualized unique logo designs for startups, establishing strong visual identities that resonated with target markets.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with suppliers.
- Liaise with printers and embroiderers.
Farbe Designs Pty Ltd
Client Consultant
01.2015 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Respond to client enquiries.
- Draft quotations.
- Process client purchase orders and invoices.
- Product presentations.
- Build and maintain relationships between existing and new clients.
- Process client orders.
- Follow-up on client orders while in production.
- Liaise with printers, sublimation houses and embroiders for branding and signage.
- Liaise with courier companies for booking of domestic and international shipments.
- Liaise with Headwear suppliers.
- Liaise with accessories suppliers for other items we do not manufacture in-house.
Farbe Designs (Pty) Ltd
Machinist and Sorter
01.2014 - 01.2015
Job overview
- Garment construction (sewing).
- Quality Control.
- Check clothing panels in and out for production and printing.
- Worked with team members to improve production processes and procedures.
- Enhanced production efficiency by setting up, adjusting, and operating various machines according to specifications.
Education
UX Design InstituteDublin, Ireland
Professional Diploma from User Experience Design
02-2026
University Overview
Customer Research, Benchmarking, Usability Testing, Affinity diagrams, Journey Maps, Persona Creation, Flow diagram for desktops.
- Study Abroad: User Experience Design - UX Design institute, Dublin, Ireland (online learning)
UCTCape Town, South Africa
Graphic Design Certificate from Graphic Design
06-2017
University Overview
Adobe Illustrator, Digital Images, Visual Communication, Typography, Layout and Composition, Idea Generation and Research, Designing for Print, Creating designs for the Web (HTML).
- Professional Development Studies: Graphic Design, 2017
Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion DesignStellenbosch, South Africa
National Diploma from Fashion Design
12-2013
University Overview
Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion DesignStellenbosch, South Africa
Higher National Certificate from Clothing Production
12-2011
University Overview
Fashion Design
Molly Blackburn Senior Secondary School
High School Diploma
01.2010
University Overview
Skills
Adobe InDesign
COURSES
COURSES
- Pencil Pro: Silver Pathway - Brandtech Group - Mar 2025
- Pencil Pro: Bronze Pathway - Brandtech Group - Jan 2025
- Oliver Gen AI Pathway: Bronze - Insiders Academy - May 2025
- Oliver Gen AI Pathway: Silver - Insiders Academy - May 2025
- Oliver Gen AI Pathway: Gold - Insiders Academy - May 2025
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Work Preference
Work Location
RemoteImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureFlexible work hoursPaid sick leaveCareer advancementHealthcare benefitsTimeline
Creative Artworker - EMEA
OLIVER Agency
01.2024 - Current
Desktop Publishing Designer
Hirt and Carter Pty Ltd
01.2017 - 01.2023
Head of Vinyl Printing Department
Farbe Designs Pty Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2017
Graphic Designer
Farbe Designs Pty Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2017
Client Consultant
Farbe Designs Pty Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2017
Machinist and Sorter
Farbe Designs (Pty) Ltd
01.2014 - 01.2015
Molly Blackburn Senior Secondary School
High School Diploma
UX Design Institute
Professional Diploma from User Experience Design
UCT
Graphic Design Certificate from Graphic Design
Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design
National Diploma from Fashion Design
Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design
Higher National Certificate from Clothing Production
Similar Profiles
Puneet VyasPuneet Vyas
People Administrator at OLIVER AgencyPeople Administrator at OLIVER Agency
Dan GiustiDan Giusti
Group Account Director at OLIVER AgencyGroup Account Director at OLIVER Agency
Kevin KarlKevin Karl
Solutions Design Consultant at OLIVER AgencySolutions Design Consultant at OLIVER Agency
Wiedaad SamaaiWiedaad Samaai
Product Consultant at SamsungProduct Consultant at Samsung
Masonwabe SokoyiMasonwabe Sokoyi
Coordinator Financial Sector Coalition Campaign at NACoordinator Financial Sector Coalition Campaign at NA