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UX/UI Designer

Designing the look, feel and flow of apps and websites so users find them easy and enjoyable to use.

Stream
FSc Pre-Engineering or ICS or FA / Humanities
First salary
PKR 45,000 – 80,000 a month
Field
Design
Facts checked
26 Sept 2026

About

A UX/UI Designer decides how a digital product – whether a mobile app, website or software – looks and works. They research what users need, sketch wireframes, create visual designs in tools like Figma or Adobe XD, and test prototypes to make sure everything is clear and satisfying. In Pakistan, this role is growing fast as more companies go digital. It blends creative thinking with problem-solving and requires empathy for the person using the product. Designers work closely with developers and product managers to bring ideas to life.

A day in the life

  1. 1Morning stand‑up with the product team to review progress.
  2. 2Sketching wireframes for a new feature on a whiteboard.
  3. 3Creating high‑fidelity mockups in Figma for client approval.
  4. 4Running a usability test with real users and noting feedback.
  5. 5Handing off design specs and assets to the development team.
  6. 6Reviewing analytics to see how a recent design change performed.

Is this for you

You'll likely enjoy it if

  • You enjoy solving problems visually.
  • You are curious about how people use technology.
  • You like collaborating with developers and product managers.
  • You can take feedback on your designs without taking it personally.
  • You pay attention to small details.
  • You want a career where you keep learning new tools and trends.

The hard parts, honestly

  • Your design may be rejected or changed by stakeholders many times.
  • You have to balance what users want with what the business can afford.
  • Keeping up with rapidly changing design tools and trends.
  • Explaining your design decisions to non‑designers can be frustrating at first.

Stream to choose

FSc Pre-EngineeringICSFA / HumanitiesI.Com also works

Subjects that matter most: Computer Science, Mathematics, Art & Drawing, English, Pakistan Studies, Economics (for business sense)

You can enter UX/UI design from many backgrounds. FSc Pre‑Engineering or ICS gives you a strong tech base; FA with Art subjects builds visual skills. After Matric or O Level, take Computer Science and Art if possible.

Salary in Pakistan

  1. Fresh graduate (0–2 years)

    PKR 45,000 – 80,000/ month

    Entry‑level roles at startups or small agencies. UI UX Designer Salary in Pakistan | PakSalary.io · checked 26 Sept 2026

  2. Mid‑level (3–5 years)

    PKR 80,000 – 1.2 lakh/ month

    Most designers with 3–5 years earn in this band (PayScale median ~73k/month but includes juniors). Average UX/UI Designer Salary in Pakistan · checked 26 Sept 2026

  3. Senior (6+ years)

    PKR 1.2 lakh – 2 lakh/ month

    Lead roles in large tech firms or product‑first companies. Average UX/UI Designer Salary in Pakistan · checked 26 Sept 2026

All figures in PKR per month, from the sources shown.

Where to study

Public universities1

  • National College of Arts (NCA)

    Lahore · B.Des in Communication Design (4 years)

    nca.edu.pk

Private universities4

  • Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture

    Karachi · B.Des in Visual Communication & Design (4 years)

    indusvalley.edu.pk

  • Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

    Lahore · BSc in Computer Science (4 years) with HCI electives

    lums.edu.pk

  • Beaconhouse National University (BNU)

    Lahore · BFA in Visual Arts (4 years) with digital design tracks

    bnu.edu.pk

  • University of Central Punjab (UCP)

    Lahore · BS Software Engineering (4 years) – includes UI/UX courses

    ucp.edu.pk

Future outlook

UX/UI design is a fast‑growing field in Pakistan as companies invest in digital products. Startups, e‑commerce, fintech and telecoms all need designers. Remote work for international clients is also increasing, offering higher pay. The HEC does not yet regulate it as a separate degree, but many universities are adding design programmes. Bootcamps and online courses are common entry points.

Growing fast

  • Fintech and digital banking apps (e.g., NayaPay, Sadapay)
  • E‑commerce platforms expanding their user experience
  • Government digital services (e.g., Punjab Information Technology Board)
  • Telecom companies revamping their mobile apps
  • Freelance and remote work for international clients
  • Design systems and accessibility consulting

Working abroad

Pakistani UX/UI designers often work remotely for US, UK and Middle East companies through platforms like Upwork, Toptal or direct contracts. Some move to Dubai or Canada after gaining 3–5 years of experience. The skills are transferable worldwide.

Your roadmap

Class 9–10: Build the Matric/O Level base and start designing — UX/UI entry begins with marks, sketches and Figma, not entry tests.

Milestones

  1. Class 9, start of year

    Choose electives wisely

    Pick Computer Science and Art & Drawing if your school offers them — these feed the future ICS/FA route and your design base.

  2. End of Class 9

    Complete first Figma project

    Redesign three screens of a Pakistani app you use (a food delivery or banking app) and save them as your portfolio piece No. 1.

  3. Spring, Class 10

    Sit board exams well

    Target A/A+ in Computer Science, Maths and English specifically; these matter most for ICS and design-university applications.

  4. After Matric results

    Decide your FSc route

    Choose between ICS (Computer Science, Maths, Physics/Stats), FA (Art subjects), FSc Pre-Engineering, or A Level with Computer Science and Art. For UX/UI, ICS or FA (Arts) are the most direct routes.

What to focus on

  • Score high in Computer ScienceClass 9–10, throughout

    ICS and BS Software Design paths weigh Computer Science heavily. At Matric level, focus on understanding how software and computers work, not just rote learning definitions — this becomes the logic base for UX/UI work later.

  • Keep Art & Drawing aliveClass 9 onward

    UX/UI is a visual craft. If your school offers Art & Drawing as an elective, take it. If not, keep a sketchbook: draw app screens you use daily, copy icons, practise layouts. NCA and Indus Valley portfolios start here.

  • Strong English and Maths marksClass 9–10

    English matters because UX designers write clear interface text and explain decisions. Maths sharpens the logic needed for ICS/Pre-Engineering later. Both count in your Matric/O Level aggregate that colleges and design universities will look at.

  • Know which marks count laterClass 10 board exams, spring

    No entry test yet, but your Matric/O Level marks appear later on college admission forms and in some university aggregates (e.g. NUST NET gives weightage to Matric marks). Aim for A/A+ grades so doors stay open in every stream.

Tests and deadlines

  • Board exams (Matric or O Level)Spring of Class 10

    Your first big exam. FBISE, Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan or AKU-EB boards hold Matric exams in spring; O Level sessions vary by exam board. These marks follow you to college admission and some university aggregates, so treat them seriously.

Skills to build

  • Figma basicsStart now, 30 minutes daily

    Figma is the industry-standard free tool for UI design. Learn frames, shapes, text and auto layout. Recreate the screen of an app you use every day.

  • Sketching and visual fundamentalsStart now

    Learn layout, spacing, colour and hierarchy. Free access: YouTube channels like The Futur and Figma's own YouTube tutorials, plus Drawspace for drawing basics.

  • Empathy and user observationOngoing habit

    UX starts with noticing how people struggle with apps. Practise watching a family member use an app and noting where they get confused — this is the seed of user research.

  • Basic English writingDaily, 15 minutes

    Designers write button labels and explanations. Free access: Duolingo English practice and BBC Learning English for clear, simple writing.

Competitions

  • National and International OlympiadsCheck school notice boards early in the year

    Ask your school about STEM/Informatics olympiad rounds open to Class 9–10 students (e.g. National Science Talent Contest pathway rounds via STEM Careers Pakistan). Informatics/computer contests build the tech thinking behind UX/UI.

  • School art and poster competitionsThroughout the year

    Enter every art, poster and yearbook design contest your school or a local library runs. Winning entries go straight into the design portfolio you will need for NCA or Indus Valley later.

People to know

Most first jobs and internships come through people. Start early, and keep it simple.

  • Join design communities online

    Join free communities like the Figma Community, local Pakistani design groups on Facebook/LinkedIn, and Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) if a nearby university chapter accepts school students for events.

  • Follow Pakistani designers on LinkedIn

    Create a LinkedIn profile in Class 10, follow UX/UI designers at Pakistani companies (Careem, Foodpanda, bank apps), and comment thoughtfully on their posts. By FSc you will recognise names and opportunities.

  • Find a mentor at school

    Ask your Computer Science or Art teacher to review your Figma work monthly. One adult who takes your design interest seriously is worth more than any online course at this stage.

What it costs

Government school Matric is nearly free (a few thousand PKR per year in exam/registration fees). Private schools range roughly PKR 3,000–15,000 per month; O Level schools PKR 15,000–40,000 per month. Board exam fees a few thousand PKR.

Scholarships

  • PEEF (Punjab Educational Endowment Fund)Check peef.org.pk after results

    Need- and merit-based scholarships for Punjab students from Matric onward. Apply after good Class 9/10 results if family income qualifies.

  • Sindh Endowment / KPK & Balochistan equivalentsAfter Class 10 results

    Provincial endowment funds offer need-based stipends for school and college students; ask your school office or check the provincial endowment board website.

  • School fee concessionsAnytime

    Most private schools and O Level campuses offer sibling discounts and need-based fee waivers — ask the administration directly; many go unused.

Learn more

People to follow

Books

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