Hi everyone,

This is Marc a new member.I'm pretty new to web design, I've only been at it for less than 12 months, but find it very interesting and enjoyable. I'm now at a stage where I'm seriously considering a change of career and wondering if this might be an avenue to look down by investing in some training. But before I do I just want to start looking into the market place, how competitive it is etc. I know trainers like Computeach will tell you all is wonderful out there (I've been around long enough to take that for what it is!) Would prefer to hear an unbiased opinion if anyone can help. Have always worked for myself, so would prefer to keep it that way. So, one question really, is it out there!!

I done the CIW home learning course and found it good for the basics but in all honesty I learned alot more from online tutorials and online forums where you can get an answer to a question alot quicker.

 

The course was only really good for me because it helped me get into the industry as the company I previously worked for took me on, but again once I got into a working environment within a team of designers and developers I learned more than what the course could ever teach me.

 

Personally I would say learn from online tutorials, within the forum, and then design and build an online portfolio, most employers will prefer to see your skills in use than a certificate from a home learning course.

 

I hope this helps.

Thanks for that Wayne

 

I've heard from many sources that teaching yourself online is the way to go. What you've written is pretty much what I expected (experience prevails) in an employed role. I'm fishing more to see if there's business out there for a self employed designer.

 

Thanks for your help!

There is work out there and it depends on many factors if you can get the work. E.g how good you are, how well you market your self, good contacts etc.

Hey Marc

 

I am an E Business student and I am very interested in website design, I have been researching into E Commerce for when I finish my final year and have come across this website.

http://www.plugandplaydesign.co.uk/southampton/

They actually specify in quite a lot in E Commerce such as delivery matrix's value orders etc, however they do design work on websites, they were really helpful for me so just give them a go.

 

Hope this helps

 

Ben

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I often see websites advertised from £50!! Never looked further but where do these companies catch the punter, in the management of the site? just very worrying starting prices!

Hehe, I used to do this, but only for friends. If you're charging £50 for a website, you won't get a lot of decent work because anyone worth their salt will think there's a reason for it.

 

Just consider the advertising budget of some of these companies. £50 is like giving pennies to children.

 

Is there work out there? YES! But you need to be a whole lot more than just a good coder. That's where your people skills really come into play. Just tell everyone you meet about what you're doing and I bet 50% of them will know someone who wants a website.

 

Do brilliant work, be an outstanding gentleman at ALL times (take lots of deep breaths, often), and most of all, be HONEST about what you can and can't do. That's my 10p worth