How to Hire Design and Video Talent in Kenya

Clarify the creative work you need

Graphic design, brand design, social creative, video editing and motion graphics require different strengths. Describe the formats, channels, output volume, source material and level of creative ownership. State whether the professional will follow an established system or help shape one.

A clear brief should include audience, purpose, required deliverables, technical specifications, brand constraints, deadline and approval owner. This gives candidates a realistic picture of the work and makes portfolio review more relevant.

Review portfolios with context

Ask which parts of each project the candidate created. A polished campaign may involve a strategist, art director, animator, editor and copywriter. Explore the brief, constraints, iterations and final handover—not only the finished image or video.

Look for work related to your need while allowing for transferable judgement. A strong designer may not have worked in your exact industry but should be able to explain hierarchy, audience and decisions.

Assess software and production workflow

Confirm proficiency in the tools and file formats your workflow requires. For video, discuss editing, audio, captions, colour, motion graphics, export formats and management of large source files where relevant. For design, cover reusable assets, typography, image handling and preparation for digital or print output.

Software names alone do not reveal production discipline. Ask how files are organised, versions are controlled and work is prepared so another professional can continue it.

Plan for the delivery format

A social asset, presentation, printed document and product interface each has different production constraints. Video work may need several aspect ratios, captions, audio treatment and platform-specific exports. List required formats and accessibility needs in the brief so estimates and assessments reflect the real workload.

Ask how the candidate checks output before delivery. Useful answers may cover spelling, safe areas, image quality, audio levels, caption accuracy, linked assets or export settings, depending on the discipline.

Evaluate response to a creative brief

A small fictional task can test interpretation and communication. Provide a concise brief and ask for a concept, storyboard, rough layout or edit plan. Evaluate whether the candidate understands the audience, asks useful questions and can explain creative choices.

Keep assessments proportionate and do not use unpaid candidate work as a finished commercial asset. Where substantial production is required, agree a paid trial project with clear ownership terms.

Plan revisions and feedback

Define the review process, decision maker and expected number of revision rounds. Consolidated feedback is easier to act on than conflicting comments from several stakeholders. Ask candidates how they respond when feedback is subjective or changes the original brief.

Assess collaboration and creative judgement

Designers and editors often work with marketers, writers, product teams and subject specialists. Explore how the candidate requests missing information, presents options and explains a recommendation without treating preference as fact. Strong collaboration includes knowing when a question needs a decision from the employer.

For recurring production, discuss templates and systems that improve consistency without making every output identical. For brand development, clarify research, concept approval and how final guidelines will be used by others.

Design and video interview questions

• Choose one portfolio project and explain the brief, your contribution and the main revision.
• How do you check that creative work supports its audience and purpose?
• What information do you need before estimating a video-editing project?
• How do you organise source files and final deliverables for handover?
• Describe a time stakeholder feedback conflicted. How did you move the work forward?
• Which parts of this role would require new tools or learning for you?

Agree rights and handover

Before work starts, clarify use of licensed fonts, music, stock assets, templates and third-party material. Agree ownership and permitted use in terms appropriate to the engagement. At completion, specify the editable source files, exports, linked assets and documentation to be handed over.

Onboard the professional with approved brand material, genuine examples and a named reviewer. A small first assignment can reveal gaps in the brief and file workflow before a larger campaign begins.

The guide to hiring digital marketing professionals in Kenya may help when creative work sits inside a campaign. For recruitment structure, see remote interviewing and the main remote hiring guide.