Creative Arts & Design
UX/UI Designer
You make apps and websites easy, beautiful and enjoyable to use.
- Starting salary
- R15 000 – R30 000
- Job demand
- Growing fast
- Key subjects
- Visual Arts, Design
What do they do?
You make apps and websites easy, beautiful and enjoyable to use.
A day in the life
You talk to users, sketch screens, build clickable designs and test them with real people.
Skills you need
- Empathy
- Visual design
- Listening
- Problem solving
School subjects that help
- Visual Arts
- Design
- English
- Computer Applications Technology
How long does it take?
3 main steps after school, usually 3–6 years of study, plus practical experience.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2Design qualification or short course
- 3Junior designer
- 4UX designer
Ways in: University degree · University of Technology · Private college · Self-taught + portfolio. University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- University of Johannesburg
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Nelson Mandela University
- Durban University of Technology
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R15 000 – R30 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R32 000 – R55 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R60 000 – R100 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Redesign an app you find annoying, on paper
- • Try free Figma
- • Ask 5 people what confuses them online
Try this career
Redraw the screens of your favourite app to make it simpler.
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This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.