There are many styles of graphic design, and the profession has spread worldwide. Amongst them, African graphic designers are also producing outstanding works within advertising agencies or through independent projects. So, we have gathered a list of talented designers from Africa or influenced by the African culture that you positively need to know about.    

Olalekan Jeyifous

Nationality: Nigeria
Portfolio: Vigilism
Highlight: Africa 2081 AD

Olalekan Jeyifous is a Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based designer who uses a variety of computer softwares in his pieces. He attended Cornell University where he learned to design narratives through various visual modes of representation. Upon graduating, he worked as a designer for a communication agency while moonlighting on his own creative projects. Since 2004, Jeyifous is freelancing and participating in several projects and exhibitions. In some projects, he juxtaposes images of privileged sites and much coveted real-estate throughout Lagos with a colossal of vertical settlements that represent the marginalized and impoverished communities.

Sindiso Nyoni

Nationality: Zimbabwe
Portfolio: Riot
Highlight: The Boxer

Sindiso Nyoni is a Zimbabwean independent graphic artist born in 1984. Inspired by his surroundings, he developed a love for drawing in his youth. Nyoni moved to Johannesburg where he learned graphic design. He created a style that he called Guerill(art) to reflect on social issues in a way that advocates awareness and change. Upon graduating, he moved to Cape Town where he worked as an illustrator before relocating back to Johannesburg where he worked as a graphic designer for an advertising agency. Nyoni have participated in various local group shows and international exhibitions including New York, Mexico City, London, and Barcelona.

Aldo Pulella

Nationality: South Africa
Portfolio: Aldo
Highlight: Mammoth Falls

Aldo Pulella is a South-African digital designer who combines photography, photomontage, typography, and illustration techniques to create impressive pieces. His portfolio features beautiful images that have a great balance between graphic elements, typography, and color. Pulella works for a Johannesburg-based marketing company specialized in interactive and digital design. He experiments with multiple forms of designs to improve his skills as well as his approach to the creative process. Inspired by the natural surroundings, his eye-catching designs combine features from both the digital and real world. He also explores other form of art such as crafting and sculpture.

Jeff Manning

Nationality: United States
Portfolio: Jeff Manning
Highlight: Flowers Series

Jeff Manning is a Philadelphia-based graphic artist who was introduced to graphic design in 2009 while in high school. He graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia in 2014. He particularly works on bridging the gap between graphic design and black culture. Manning is tapping into the vibe and pulse from the music that surrounds him, specifically the neo-soul genre. Music is what really sets the tone for him to materialize his thoughts and emotions in digital artworks. He mixes organic textures, beautiful illustrations, and selected portraits like a visual deejay. Manning has his work featured in many international magazines and he has participated in several exhibitions locally.

Willian Santiago

Nationality: Brazil
Portfolio: Willian Santiago
Highlight: Kalemba

Willian Santiago is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Londrina, Brazil. His work is quite versatile, either being manual or digital, with a sensitive style and including lots of experimentations. His art style combines mixed media with cartoon-like illustrations that seem to draw inspiration from minimalist graphic design and art deco. In much of his work, Santiago uses geometric shapes and colorful imagery to illustrate a silhouette or a mood. He says that he is inspired by the work of some Brazilian illustrators such as Nestor Junior, Rafael Grampa, Matheus Lopes, and Arthur Duarte.