About Work Experience Contact Interests

UX/UI Designer & Developer · Johannesburg

Design that
works before
it looks good.

I design user experiences and build the systems behind them. From research and wireframes to live production code — I bridge the gap between design intent and technical reality.

15+
Years design
20
Distinctions
3
Live systems

Designer who codes.
Developer who designs.

Denzel Grootboom

Denzel Grootboom

UX/UI Designer & Developer

click

I started in graphic design and never stopped learning. Over 15 years I've moved from print to digital, from layouts to full-stack web systems — each step deliberate, each project adding a layer.

My BCom in IT Management gave me the systems thinking to complement the design craft. Today I work at the intersection of UX research, interface design, and front-end development — building things that are both considered and functional.

When I'm not designing, I'm roasting single-origin coffee, wrenching on my bike, or building the next product that scratches an itch I couldn't ignore.

See what I'm into →

Design

Figma Adobe XD Sketch Zeplin User Research Wireframing Prototyping Usability Testing

Development

HTML / CSS / JS Supabase Netlify PayFast TCG API

Methods

Agile Systems Analysis Stakeholder Management Data Analysis
1 Peter 5:5–6
NIV
"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

Three projects.
Each one a full system.

01

Full Stack · E-commerce

Artifacts Coffee

Conceived, designed, and built end-to-end. A specialty micro-roastery e-commerce site with PayFast payments, TCG courier integration, a custom loyalty programme (The Brew Circle), and a Supabase backend — live in two weeks.

Live UX Design HTML/CSS/JS Supabase PayFast Loyalty Programme
View site →

02

Product · Web Agency

Grdbase

A web systems agency built on the Artifacts Coffee architecture as a reusable template engine. Targets South African businesses with a competitive moat around local payment and shipping integrations no no-code platform can replicate.

Live Product Design Brand Identity SA Commerce Stack
View site →

03

Product · SaaS · Beta

Index748

SA vehicle price intelligence platform. Tracks used car and motorcycle prices across AutoTrader, WeBuyCars, Cars.co.za and Gumtree — giving buyers real deal scores based on live market data. Currently in early access.

Beta UX Design SaaS Data Product Chrome Extension
View site →

Where I've worked.
What I've built there.

May 2026 – Present

Founder & Designer

Grdbase · Self-employed · Johannesburg

Productised web systems for South African commerce. PayFast, TCG courier integration, loyalty programmes, and Supabase backends built in from day one. Three fixed tiers, transparent pricing, live in 2 weeks. Built on the Artifacts Coffee architecture as a reusable template engine — targeting SA businesses with local payment and shipping integrations no no-code platform can replicate.

Mar 2026 – Present

Founder & Roasting Technician

Artifacts Coffee Roastery · Self-employed · Johannesburg

Founded and operates a specialty micro-roastery. Responsible for sourcing, roasting, and selling single-origin beans — alongside designing and building the full e-commerce platform with PayFast payments, TCG courier integration, a custom loyalty programme (The Brew Circle), and a Supabase backend.

Feb 2025 – Apr 2025

UI Designer

Design Circle · IT Recruitment Agency, Johannesburg

Created low-fidelity wireframes and user flows in Figma aligned with business objectives. Developed high-fidelity prototypes ensuring brand consistency — resulting in a design currently under review aimed at increasing stakeholder engagement.

Feb 2014 – Present

Acting Asst. Director
Nov – Dec 2025

Graphic Designer

Gauteng Provincial Treasury · Full-time · Johannesburg

Lead end-to-end design planning and execution for high-impact provincial publications and communication material. Collaborate with Budget Management and Communications teams to ensure accuracy, brand compliance, and on-time delivery across digital, print, and stakeholder-facing outputs.

Acting Assistant Director (Nov–Dec 2025) — Provided operational continuity during a critical provincial reporting cycle. Led design execution for the MTBPS and Adjusted Estimates of Provincial Revenue and Expenditure; oversaw intern production of the Adjusted Estimates of Capital Expenditure; coordinated between Communications and Budget Management teams.

Core responsibilities: Design digital and print materials for social media, internal comms, publications and events · Enforce Corporate Brand Identity compliance · Translate stakeholder requirements into clear visual solutions · Plan and coordinate projects from concept to delivery.

Jan 2020 – Nov 2020

UI Designer · Property Management Application

Design Circle (NDA Project)

Developed wireframes and user flows in Sketch, created high-fidelity prototypes, and facilitated developer handoff via Zeplin. Evolved UI libraries with reusable components adhering to accessibility guidelines.

Jan 2010 – Feb 2014

Graphic Designer

Freelance · Multiple Clients

Delivered print and digital design solutions — PVC banners, corporate identity, packaging, editorial design for leading publications. Conducted informal user testing to refine design effectiveness.

Built on strong
foundations.

2017

UI/UX Design for Digital Media

AAA School of Advertising

2009 – 2010

Higher National Diploma: Graphic Design

Damelin · NQF Level 6

In Progress

Google UX/UI Design Certificate

Coursera · + Figma Advanced (Udemy)

Let's work on
something real.

Open to UX/UI design roles, freelance projects, and interesting product conversations. Based in Johannesburg — remote-friendly.

Outside of screens, I roast coffee, fix things on my bike, and build products that scratch an itch I couldn't ignore. Take a look at what keeps me busy when I'm not in front of a computer.

See my interests →