Brand Design Lead – Arabic Branding, Illustration & Packaging

About the role

Joud, an emerging café and lifestyle brand from Abu Dhabi, is seeking a Brand Design Lead to shape its visual identity across Arabic and English. The role goes beyond basic graphic design, requiring a strong artistic eye, deep Arabic design expertise, and the ability to create culturally resonant, premium visual experiences.

Key responsibilities

• Define and lead the visual direction for brand identity, campaigns, packaging, menus, retail products, social media, signage, and in‑store touchpoints.
• Develop Arabic‑first and bilingual design systems, treating Arabic as a primary design language.
• Create original illustrations, icons, patterns, borders, labels, stamps, and custom graphic assets.
• Design packaging concepts for coffee bags, bakery items, cups, stickers, boxes, merchandise, and limited‑edition drops.
• Produce campaign visuals for product launches, store openings, seasonal events (Ramadan, Eid, National Day), and collaborations.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, photography, videography, product, operations, suppliers, printers, and external agencies.
• Review and refine creative work to ensure consistency, quality, and strong visual taste.

Required profile

• Proven experience in Arabic‑focused brand design with a portfolio that demonstrates premium, memorable, and original work.
• Deep understanding of regional cultural references, vintage print, heritage motifs, calligraphy, and modern lifestyle branding.
• Ability to translate UAE/GCC cultural cues into contemporary, commercially viable designs.

Required skills

• Arabic typography and layout expertise.
• English typography proficiency.
• Illustration, pattern design, and packaging design.
• Strong visual storytelling across digital, print, and physical applications.