Hi all,

I haven't been here in ages, sorry if this is my first post - its been a while since I hung around forums. I am in a bit of a pickle :s

 

I love everything web design and always have but after uni i went into a php role after theming forums etc (which I did for many years), the role lasted 3 months and then I left, went back home to my parents house as I couldn't do a fully functional PHP role, I had taken the role straight out of uni so I could get myself on the employment ladder, at the role I met a designer who went to work for a company in Nottingham, UK and he reccomended me so I went for a interview as a front-end developer and I got it, I tried to do some PHP for the company while I was there as they were a small company (this landed me in hot water, although I managed to complete the project, it took longer than expected), since the beginning I have been looking for design roles but I am unable to drive, I was in a fortunate place were my parents could help me out financially but with the recession and me having job after job, whether that being contracts or fulltime jobs I have only had the possibility of having a few fulltime design roles which I loved, although I kept freelancing always I have never been happy in coding roles, coding other peoples designs.

 

So 2 yrs ago when a job ended I decided I would go to Spain where I had been on holiday with my parents ages ago, their design quality isn't as good as the UK's so I thought I will go there and get a design job, then come back to the UK but I couldn't get one there because they use a lot of templates. I started off freelancing doing design and liked it but the company ended up closing so had to get a job, I wanted to do design again but they already had 2 designers where I worked so I had to take yet again another programming role, and it came to a end when the company fell on hard times so I returned to the UK for a front-end dev role with a great company but my passion for design was burning inside me and I was beginning to hate myself for doing a job I didn't enjoy (I had past experience of depression), I left the company when I found a design job back in spain so I decided to go but the boss was so hard to work for that is affected my epilepsy (only mild) and so I left (i offered to continue with the projects at home for him) to which he agreed and we agreed a freelance amount, after completing the project he didn't pay me, so I was left with nothing - I was fortunate to have freelance work of my own so I stayed in Spain with some friends and freelanced, I have had to come back to the UK as my dad was ill and I had used up all my savings unfortunately, but I still can't get a design role, when I look I can't get to them as I can't drive (I have tried asking companies for freelance) but nothing or they don't want that.

 

My question is will I ever be able to follow my dream of doing design again so I can have a normal life, girlfriend etc. I find myself competing on price, against templates and if i find a job in my area bosses want a person to do 4 peoples tasks which would affect my seizures.

 

For all those who want to see my work, look here: http://www.bbdimension.com/designs/ I tried looking for junior roles but no luck I am 31yrs old and I am having to live back with my parents which I feel awful for doing.

 

Please help, my cv looks awful: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sjee6hcfdz5sm38/GrahamABarnesCVfinal%20-%20york%20CV2.doc

Graham

the link that you provided is your website? or its the company for whom u have worked?

 

if its not your website .. i would consider putting up your own website with your best work samples..

a portfolio website always helps.. whether u work as freelancer or looking for jobs..

 

have u tried to look for work in some freelancing sites? i know they wont pay great but at least to keep u moving?

 

have u tried to team up with a fellow developer friend? and do projects together?

the link that you provided is your website? or its the company for whom u have worked?

 

if its not your website .. i would consider putting up your own website with your best work samples..

a portfolio website always helps.. whether u work as freelancer or looking for jobs..

 

have u tried to look for work in some freelancing sites? i know they wont pay great but at least to keep u moving?

 

have u tried to team up with a fellow developer friend? and do projects together?

 

Hi Sash_007,

Yeah its my website. I tried teaming up with developer friends, emailing companies randomly but this doesn't get much work, and yeah I have tried with the freelance sites, there I am always competing against people in pakistan, india etc and can no way compete with their prices.

 

I would be interested to see what you think of my work (I think everyone can improve), although the post was more of a post should I be getting out of a industry like this?

 

Thanks again.

Graham

Sometimes you just have to take what you can get workwise to keep a regular income coming in to pay the bills (have been there, done that!). Web designers are 10 a penny at the moment and there aren't enough jobs to go around, the recession/economic climate doesn't help either.

 

My advice would be to grab as much work as you can, doing anything that your skillset permits, even if your fallback is shelf stacking at Tescos to tide you over. In the meantime keep enhancing and refining your design skills, and keep applying for any design jobs that come up. It's also worth looking for non-design jobs if that can get you working at a design related company, once you haver that magical "foot in the door" you stand a better chance of getting any design role that becomes available within the same company.

Hi Sash_007,

Yeah its my website. I tried teaming up with developer friends, emailing companies randomly but this doesn't get much work, and yeah I have tried with the freelance sites, there I am always competing against people in pakistan, india etc and can no way compete with their prices.

 

I would be interested to see what you think of my work (I think everyone can improve), although the post was more of a post should I be getting out of a industry like this?

 

Thanks again.

Graham

the designs looks professional enough..do u do just the design part ?

 

 

http://www.bbdimension.com/faq-and-prices/

 

i see here u offer all kinds of service? how do u manage tht?

I could not help but notice you consider your not driving to be a big obstacle, If your not driving by choice then yes it's an obstacle; However, I suspect that your medically stopped from driving and if that's the case then companies can get help with your traveling expenses through 'Equal Opportunities' which basically means a set of employment laws say employers have to get you an equal chance of getting the job despite your disability and potential employers can get supported financially for doing so. You would need to use public transport to commute which is both tiring and expensive, your employers can help with the cost and in some cases even help with a shorter working day to compensate for the extra traveling time too.

 

My advise, take what you can get even if as BlueDreamer said "it's shelf stacking at tesco", don't give potential employers a reason to turn you down by saying you can't drive and thus can't commute, simply don't include driving licence in your CV. Once you get your foot in the door take all the info with you about what help your employer can get to help them employ you and don't leave them needing to ask you any questions about where, how, or when they can get that help. As long as you are prepared to put in the effort and research the help potential employers can get, (benefits agency, DWP, access to work, Inland Revenue are some good sources of info for you to start with.) and make a strong argument for them to want you for what you can do and for your disability affecting nothing.

 

As an employer I myself have found that those in your position tend to push themselves to hard, set unrealistic goals, over stress themselves, and generally put themselves in a personal position that is liable to lead to depression even when there is no history of it. So look at your targets, look at yourself, are you taking on to much? Are you always to tired when your not at work to enjoy it? I know that you will have been told to ask yourself those questions by your doctor if they support you with your depression, but I can personally assure you that they work! I use those and a few others to help me run 3 businesses.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I was never brought up to find out what I can get, but will be looking into it. I was offered a design job which unfortunately I couldn't get too, so I looked at Access To Work and it would cost me 1400 a month to get to work and back using it, although I could claim it back, I would need to have that money in the beginning which I just don't have atm as I am trying to save what I can without getting into any debt. I will look into the other parts though - thanks weedy101

 

@sash_007 yes that is all my work and I do the design and the development, although I tend to use CMS systems or E-Commerce systems, but the design and front-end I do unless the client wants to use a template (which I try my best to stay away from).

 

I have tried getting jobs at Tesco and other place that I wouldn't mind at all as I would love to work in a large organisation but could never get in, I was apparently over qualified. I know from a recruiters point of view though if they see front-end developer on your cv for a lot of jobs and a few design jobs, they will think ah hes a front-end developer, I have tried 'getting my foot in the door' and will no doubt try again but some employers can't see you as more than the job you are presently doing. I don't find front-end development fun at all unfortunately.

 

Atm I am freelancing doing jobs here and there, and me and a friend started our own company called studio720 of which he does the sales and I do the design, so it helps me in that aspect. I do a lot of networking online and have thought about relocating to another country again.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments, much appreciated when having times of crisis.

Graham

To be honest mate the freelance game is a minefield. I've been freelance since 2001 and it doesn't get easier. A friend told me once that being a web designer / developer is a lost cause, owning the project is where the money is. As for competing with template wonders and offshore specials you will not win on price. For $35 on theme forest and a one click install of wordpress just about anyone is a 'web designer'. Reading your post it sounds like you have experience and know more php than most web designers I know; don't loose this edge.

 

In my first 3 years of freelance I also worked at Dominos, a pub and a few other places to make up the rent money. You're right about their 'over experienced' bias at places like Tesco so what I did was have 2 cvs, one for this sort of work and one for design stuff. On the CV for normal jobs don't add anything past GCSE and I referred to my design jobs as 'data administration' roles as this sort of thing is fine for shelf stacking whereas a degree plus 10 years PHP / Dev experience might make the recruiter feel inferior.

 

Sounds like a good plan working with others, especially if you have someone to take the business side of things while you do what you do best.

Hey. I'm a bit pushed for time so just a quick response. I think your portfolio is very good with a good variety. The comment I would make about your site (from a non-designer stance) would be that it's quite cluttered for your average user - i.e. client base. It depends on your demographic, but I think that there is 'too much going on'. Of course, I get it, but I look at websites all day long. Showing to someone looking for a designer may glance over it. Shame really, as like I said, you have a good selection.

 

Totally hear you on your predicament. Almost a very similar situation as you, but different country and a few other circumstances. We're also around the same age so get the junior predicament. Best thing is to push for your own aspirations on the side while getting a regular income elsewhere. Sure it's not ideal, but bear with it and it'll pay off.

 

Try not to take it to heart about getting the work. As mentioned, web design is two-a-penny - as is all other digitial work, illustration, writing, yada yada. It doesn't mean your work isn't good enough, but most people look at price first. Unfortunately that tends to be associated with the regular people for hire for $5 or thruppance. You obviously have the design skills (which a lot of people lack in this arena) but perhaps you should focus on getting your name out there a bit more 'word of mouth' - old school business cards and flyers. It will pay off, but as BrowserBugs rightly commented, the freelance game is a minefield.

 

Keep us up to date on your developments. Perhaps, given time you might be able to build a rapport up with people here and gain some work.

 

Best of luck to you