I Want to Be a Web Designer When I Grow
Up
Michael Aleo
Last Thursday afternoon I spent about 30 minutes doing a question-and-
answer session over Skype with a Web design class in Colorado. I was given
some example questions to think about before our session, which were all
pretty standard. “Who are some of your clients?” “What do you like about
your job?” “Who is your favorite designer?” I felt prepared. Halfway through
the interview, a question surprised me. “So, are there any jobs in Web
design?” When a teenager from a town with a population of 300 asks about
job security, and the others sit up and pay attention, he’s not asking out of
concern for my well being. He’s asking out of concern for his own future.
My response was, Yes, there absolutely are jobs in Web design. “Web
design is a career that will take you far, if you’re willing to work hard for it.”
And that’s the truth.
Two days later, I go onto Smashing Magazine and see Cameron Chapman’s
article, “Does The Future Of The Internet Have Room For Web Designers?”
and nearly choke on my cereal. After reading what amounts to an attack
piece on my blog, and after corresponding with Smashing Magazine’s
editors, I suggested that they let me write a counterpoint. They agreed.