cb designers future plans, discussion Options

[brooklyneast05]

let's talk about your past and future with graphic design.

what made you initially get into design? for those of you are pretty heavily into designing now, where do you plan to go with it? do you plan to pursue it in college(if you aren't already) or are you planning on doing something else? if you're planning on doing something else professionally, do you think you'll still continue to do design in the future anyway?

[JonHMChan]

Oh boy. This is going to be interesting.

1996: I started using a computer on my own when I was six years old, so that's really when I started learning about how the internet worked (back in the days of AOL and dial-up tones). At that time, I was already in a fine arts school for about a year and getting some designer in me going. I'd eventually be going to the same place for about thirteen years. From 1996 to about 2002 I learned really basic HTML, but I had some experience doing more complex programming from a map editing software that came with a computer game that I was playing since I was about seven. It was something I did for about ten years.

2000: I started my first Xanga when I was ten, and by then I was fluent in HTML. I also started doing things with Photoshop and Flash.

2001: Joined cB as "xxyoumebednowxx" and was the most obnoxious little brat. I obviously changed my screen name.

2008: Made my first site for someone else using Flash. I now have three projects under my belt as a freelance designer.

Now and later: I recently incorporated and started a small design firm that specializes in Flash based content and develops small-business IT web-based applications in PHP/MySQL (I'm starting to hire if anyone's interested). So I now know HTML, PHP, MySQL, CSS, and ActionScript, and I also know how to handle Photoshop and Flash pretty well. Right now I'm trying to getting very advanced with my Flash stuff, and I'm going through some rapid expanding with the firm. I'm looking to hire some designers soon, so I don't need to be single-handedly coding all of this stuff.