For the students of Chatelech Secondary, Career Fair 2011.

1. (FREELANCE) WEB DESIGN
AS A CAREER
Career Fair at Chatelech Secondary March 30, 2011
Tzaddi Gordon - ThriveWire.ca

2. WHAT I DO
• Design & build websites
• Online marketing
strategy & support
• Run my own business

4. HOW I GOT HERE
• Art school (fine arts major)
• Clerical & customer service jobs
• Internet studies: UBC, workshops, reading books & websites
• On-the-job: programming, design, business & management
• Mentors & peers

5. WHO MAKES A GOOD WEB
DESIGNER?
• Curious & empathetic
• Attention to detail
• Problem solver
• Creative
• Technically inclined

6. WHAT DOES FREELANCING TAKE?
• Solid skills in your field
• Business savvy - customer service, sales, project management...
• Interpersonal skills - networking, relationships
• Marketing
• Self-discipline

7. HOW TO BEGIN
Pro-bono Work
• Learn the basics
• Buildwebsites - for yourself,
friends, volunteer
• Internships or junior level jobs
• Supportive mentors & peers
• Work & study your butt off

8. WHAT TO STUDY
• Design: typography, colour theory, layout, graphics tools
• Coding& tech: HTML, CSS, FTP (minimum). Basic
programming in PHP or other web language.
• Usability / interaction design
• Internet Marketing
• Social Media
• Business

9. FREELANCE WEB DESIGN:
THINGS TO KNOW
• Need to be both a generalist & a specialist
• You must always be learning
• Design is only a fraction of the job
• Time-management & holidays – important & challenging
• Health concerns from extensive sitting & computer use

10. ?
• Blog post: http://thrivewire.ca/?p=1031
• Email: tag@thrivewire.ca
• Twitter: @tzaddi