Getting started as a web developerPresentation Transcript
So you want to be a
Web Developer
Anna Debenham
How did you get
started in the
industry?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anna_debenham/2309976423
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boagworld/1676054628
Europe is about to
face a shortage of
70,000 skilled
workers in the tech
sector by 2010
http://goo.gl/VrCI
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iboy/4333362932
One reason for this
is the general level
of understanding
among today’s
students…
http://www.itpro.co.uk/626212/ict-education-fails-at-a-
level
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iboy/4333362932
…their use of
technology often
outstrips that of
their teachers.
http://www.itpro.co.uk/626212/ict-education-fails-at-a-
level
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iboy/4333362932
£25,000
Student debt for
those starting
University this year
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-10952303
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carina/141960724
Screenshot from Fallout 3 by Bethesda Software Ltd.
Getting a job
Screenshot from Fallout 3 by Bethesda Software Ltd.
Interning
Screenshot from Fallout 3 by Bethesda Software Ltd.
Freelancing
Screenshot from Fallout 3 by Bethesda Software Ltd.
The less they pay
you, the less they
respect you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
Sarah Parmenter
http://sazzy.co.uk/2009/04/why-i-cant-build-a-website-for-500
“ £500 over 4 weeks divided by 2 people works out
at £1.56 per hour – I’m not showing you those
sums to be patronising at all, please don’t think
that, but I’m just merely trying to point out why
it would have to be increased considerably before
we could look to producing the site for you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
Ask for money up-
front. Always.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
Do the maths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
Business Expenses
(£10,000)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
+ Personal Expenses
(£10,000)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
÷ Days you work
(200)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
÷ Hours you work
(8)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
% Billable work
(80%)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
+ Pension/Yacht Fund
(£11,000)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
=
Ideal hourly rate
£25
Break even rate
£16.50
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizzy/89696604
What services you’re
providing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
What happens if
things go wrong
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
Whether you can talk
to other people about
the project
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
Who owns the work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
What happens if
deadlines aren’t met
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
When they must pay
for the work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
When the project
launches
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
Sarah Parmenter
http://sazzy.co.uk/2009/04/why-payment-prior-to-
launch-is-so-important
If you do not already take some form of
“ payment prior to launching a site, no
matter how difficult you think it might
be, I urge you to re-think as I have
never lost business due to it. While you
are in possession of your hard work and
while the client wants possession of
their new website, the ball is in your
court.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julishannon/2434691031
http://24ways.org/2008/contract-killer
Top 5 Freelancing
Mistakes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cathski/4983434794
#1
Offering too many
services
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maistora/3014414972
WEB DESIGNER (SPECIALIST)
FRONT END CODE
BACK END CODE
DESIGN
UX
Modified from Undercover User Experience Design -
Cennydd Bowles and James Box (New Riders 2010)
WEB DESIGNER (GENERALIST)
FRONT END CODE
BACK END CODE
DESIGN
UX
Modified from Undercover User Experience Design -
Cennydd Bowles and James Box (New Riders 2010)
Nick Cammarata and David Merfield from http://uploadrobots.com/
“Do you think your
age has been a help
or a hindrance to the
development of the
project?”
Nick Cammarata and David Merfield from http://uploadrobots.com/
“Being so young, VC
backing was not an
option as it’s too
risky to invest in a
couple
highschoolers.”
Nick Cammarata and David Merfield from http://uploadrobots.com/
“We also have to constantly
conceal our age because we
are dealing with people’s
important documents, and
they might not trust us
because people, including
ourselves, are inherently
ageist.”
Nick Cammarata and David Merfield from http://uploadrobots.com/
James Proud http://giglocator.com
“Has your age got in
the way of what you
do, or has it helped
you?”
James Proud http://giglocator.com
“Before I had to show my
face I never really promoted
my age. I just didn’t think
it was important. But it’s
helped me the fact that
people are amazed that I’ve
done this at this age.”
James Proud http://giglocator.com
“Success is not the key to
happiness. Happiness is the
key to success. If you love
what you are doing, you will
be successful.”
- Herman Cain
http://www.flickr.com/photos/koesbong/158345090