For University of Johannesburg (UJ) alumna Tyesha Billet, earning her BA Honours degree in Communication (Graphic) Design from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) helped her discover her authentic voice. While the destination is a major milestone, for Tyesha, the true value lies in the transformation that happened along the way.
Earning an honours degree requires immense dedication, yet Tyesha’s graduation day didn’t go quite as planned. Despite missing her own moment under the lights, she found a deeper sense of fulfillment in celebration of family.
“Unfortunately, I missed my honours graduation due to a timing issue on my part. At first, it was disappointing because it was such a significant milestone. But in a way, the moment still found me. Watching my sister walk across the stage filled me with so much pride and joy, it reminded me that the achievement itself still stands, whether I was on that stage or not. That moment, seeing her, was more than enough for me” she says.
For Tyesha, the degree is far more than a piece of paper; it is a testament to perseverance. Reflecting on what the qualification means to her, she shares:
“This qualification means so much to me. I cannot even begin to tell you how much the Lord has pulled through for my sister and me on many occasions in our studies. My qualification represents a season of my life where I had to grow through uncertainty, push through rejection, and keep going even when things didn’t fall into place the way I hoped. There were late nights, moments of self-doubt, and times where I had to create my own opportunities, especially through freelancing, just to keep moving forward. But through all of that, I learned to trust my voice and vision as a designer and believe that my perspective matters too! It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come, not only in my skills, but in the confidence and purpose the Lord has for me.”
Tyesha describes her time as a student at UJ as a deeply shaping experience that forced her to step out of her comfort zone and prepare for the realities of the creative industry.
“My journey at UJ was deeply transformative. It wasn’t always easy; there were moments of uncertainty, rejection, and having to figure things out on my own, especially when I struggled to find opportunities and had to lean into freelancing to build my experience. But those moments shaped me in ways I didn’t expect,” Tyesha reflects.
“Through everything, from working on real projects to mentoring and tutoring others, I learned to step into spaces with confidence and intention, even when I didn’t feel fully ready. I discovered my voice not just as a designer, but as someone who wants to create with meaning and purpose. UJ gave me the tools, but more importantly, it pushed me to think critically, to create authentically, and to trust in my own design journey. It helped me grow into someone who is not only prepared for the industry, but also grounded in who I am and what I want my work to stand for.”
Tyesha is already making waves with her innovative work. Her group project, Latch, was designed to address real-world challenges faced by mothers in South Africa. Now as an official alumna, she looks forward to leveraging UJ’s innovation ecosystem, specifically the UniPod (University Innovation Pod) and incubation resources, to transition the winning design into a commercially available reality.
As she navigates the transition from student to industry professional, Tyesha is keeping her eyes on long-term creative fulfillment while actively building her portfolio.
“My plans are to keep growing as a designer, both creatively and personally. I want to keep learning, refining my skills, and pushing myself beyond what I’m comfortable with, especially in spaces where I can tell meaningful, honest stories through my work and collaborate with other creatives who value their craft as much as I do! While still job searching, I plan to continue building my freelance journey while stepping into new opportunities that challenge me and help me grow. More than anything, I’m focused on becoming a designer who creates with intention.”
Having successfully navigated the high pressures of FADA, Tyesha leaves behind a powerful blueprint for the incoming first-year students just beginning their journey at UJ. Her advice to the new members of the Orange Army:
“Be curious and stay open to anything that comes your way; it will carry you further than you think. I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have everything figured out in the beginning. There were times I doubted myself or felt behind, but experimenting, failing, and trying again is honestly where I grew the most. Don’t silence your voice just because you’re still finding it. I had to learn to trust my ideas, even when they felt uncertain, and that made all the difference.”
“Also, take care of yourself along the way. The pressure can get overwhelming, and I’ve had moments where I had to pause, ask for help, and lean on others. Build those relationships and network – as a designer they matter more than you realise. Design is also about who you become in the process!”
