Defining Success as a Designer

A couple of days ago, my friend Brian Gardner tagged to answer some questions about my latest careers… web design and blogging. I’d hardly consider myself to be a true success, but I certainly don’t mind elaborating on the small amount of success I’ve had thus far.

1. How did you get started in the business?

The business, or the activity? If the former, it was about 3 months ago when Cory and I started the business. It actually didn’t start as a business at all. It was a way to gain exposure and linkbacks from releasing free WordPress themes. After a while, we both realized there was a business model there, and we started offering custom services. I was happy to get $100 for a theme … but I soon enough realized that the work was worth more than that.

If the latter, then I got started in web design around 2 years ago at my previous employer.

2. What kept you going in those early years?

Sheer curiosity. Problems needed fixing, and I would literally stay up to ungodly hours staring at a screen full of text trying to fix a bug. I was quite driven, and learned a lot from the mistakes.

3a. Did you ever feel like you weren’t good enough or you would never make it in this industry?

Every time someone talks about an IE5 or Netscape bug fix, I get intimidated. Some people are so advanced in their knowledge of web coding standards, one has to wonder if they do anything else but study bug fixes and hacks! It’s amazing really.

3b. How did you work through that?

I don’t know if you can, really. You just have to have confidence in your own abilities. Each time one of your friends sends you a link and says “can you take a look at this? I’m having a problem with…” and you help them fix the problem, it’s like a notch on your belt. It boosts your confidence.

4. Do you look at others today and think “Wow, I wish I were that good”?

Definitely! I wish I had the visual appeal of Brian or Cory or Veerle, I wish I had the drive of Small Potato, I wish I had the understanding of the intricacies of CSS like the guys at A List Apart or Position is Everything, and I wish I had the exposure of Chris Pearson. Everyone should have goals and people they aspire to.

5. How do you measure success?

Paying the bills? I don’t really know, to be honest. I suppose that recognition from big names would be cool. But in reality, when I finalize a project with a client, and I know that the project met their expectations and I delivered everything I said I would, I feel satisfied and successful.

6. By your standard, do you think you are successful?

Sure! There are levels of success, and I’m always looking to reach the next level, but I’m very happy with what I’ve accomplished.

I haven’t decided who I’m going to tag yet, but check back later for an update.

EDIT:

I hereby tag Jonathan Wold and Small Potato (wpdesigner.com).  Have fun guys!  Be sure to pass it along!

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