I've had a few books now for a while, namely 'The Principles of Beautiful Web Design', 'Logo Design' and another two others 'The Web Design Ideas Book'. I've been on and off Photoshop, on and off with practicing HTML/CSS and more for the last ~~ 3 years.

 

I've been umemployed for months now, but not seemed to be doing much with my time. I'm fed up of not doing nothing, so decided to get back into this and really give it a good go. Looking for a part-time job as well, maybe even full-time, but seriously want to get into this as either a part-time or full-time occupation.

 

So, my question to you guys is, what gave you that drive to keep at it? I mean, I know I won't be getting paid work any time soon, so it's not too financially motivating at the moment, but is there still gaps in the web market for a teenage (well, 19) lad that wants to get into the industry? Or is it already too clustered with aspired-but failing- teenage lads who have nothing better to do with their time (kinda like me? )

 

Anyways, let me know guys. What gave you that kick-start to think **** this, I'm gonna become a freelance or employed web designer. How did you motivate yourself to work at it every day, knowing that you suck at the moment but are slightly improving? Should I set up a timetable on what times I'll be working at it/studying and what times I have free, or what? Let me know your tactics, guys!

 

Oh, and is it necessary to go to college? I seem to only find foundation degrees and such when looking for courses. Is it still the same if I teach it myself on my own time, etc?

My main issue is freedom. I simply cannot be tied down to one job, one place, all week. I take a break when I want, work when I want, have a day off when I want!

 

I took a break from this a few years ago to go back doing my 'trade', Fencing. Was nice for a while, being out in the Sun all day BUT it soon became the same old situation, I had to work when I was told, restricted to working hours and so on.

 

My love for the industry, the income it can bring, and the freedom of the job is what keeps me motivated!!

 

Oh, and of course, the fact I can drink beer, eat doughnuts and listen to Springsteen all day if I wanted to as well

I've had a few books now for a while, namely 'The Principles of Beautiful Web Design', 'Logo Design' and another two others 'The Web Design Ideas Book'. I've been on and off Photoshop, on and off with practicing HTML/CSS and more for the last ~~ 3 years.

 

I've been umemployed for months now, but not seemed to be doing much with my time. I'm fed up of not doing nothing, so decided to get back into this and really give it a good go. Looking for a part-time job as well, maybe even full-time, but seriously want to get into this as either a part-time or full-time occupation.

 

So, my question to you guys is, what gave you that drive to keep at it? I mean, I know I won't be getting paid work any time soon, so it's not too financially motivating at the moment, but is there still gaps in the web market for a teenage (well, 19) lad that wants to get into the industry? Or is it already too clustered with aspired-but failing- teenage lads who have nothing better to do with their time (kinda like me? )

 

Anyways, let me know guys. What gave you that kick-start to think **** this, I'm gonna become a freelance or employed web designer. How did you motivate yourself to work at it every day, knowing that you suck at the moment but are slightly improving? Should I set up a timetable on what times I'll be working at it/studying and what times I have free, or what? Let me know your tactics, guys!

 

Oh, and is it necessary to go to college? I seem to only find foundation degrees and such when looking for courses. Is it still the same if I teach it myself on my own time, etc?

 

Read this thread ; http://www.webdesignerforum.co.uk/topic/58437-are-too-many-people-trying-to-get-a-career-in-web-designdevelopment/

 

My opinion in short ; If you aren't doing it for non-monetary reasons, don't bother. It's a creative field, you need to be constantly improving and striving for better. If you aren't you are doing your clients a disservice and I may even go as far to say you are defrauding them. They hire you to be an expert, a talent, a professional. If you don't try to be the best you can you shouldn't get to give yourself those labels.

I am not doing this for money, no. I'm doing it since I've basically liked/been on the web for years, and I do believe it's something I can get into and yes, I am going to strive to be better and improve. It's not the money that's the motivation, it's the trade. I went to college and did generic A-Levels (business, sociology & psychology), but without carrying those on at university they get me next to nothing.. With the economy as it is, there is little chance to get any job at all. I really don't care if I'm working/doing this for free at the minute, it's just a hobby that I hope one day can turn into a profession. I know it's not an easy field and that competition is tough, but what exactly is being said in that topic? There is no room for others in this field or there is no room for slackers, because trust me I'm at the point where I want to put full energy/effort into this, I just need some tips on how to get started, etc etc.. Thanks mate!

get started by building your own portfolio website and add the sites you work on to it, i was lucky enough to get a web developer job without a portfolio but you will need to be able to show people you can do it and a portfolio is the best way.

 

I did IT A-levels which included web module building a website using tables and iFrames and even when i went to uni doing computer science we were doing the same thing its not until i sat down and started to read up to date books that i realised it was all wrong and out of date so you will defiantly need the drive to study and keep updated to keep on top of things - even now i subscribe to loads of RSS feeds and read the posts / tutorials daily - not just to keep up to date or to make sure i still have a job but because i find it really interesting.

 

My time at uni was not wasted however as i use the skills learnt during my programming modules daily to help solve problems and to code.

I take a break when I want, work when I want, have a day off when I want!

 

Oh, and of course, the fact I can drink beer, eat doughnuts and listen to Springsteen all day if I wanted to as well

 

Me too.