Author: Dave Martin

Dave is a designer at Automattic.

Don’t Pay for Design School

You don’t need a degree to become a designer.

I regularly receive pings from friends and family for advice on how to get started in a new design or front-end coding career. The emails usually read something along the lines of:

Hey Dave,

I was hoping I could hit you up for some advice. I’ve decided to switch careers to become a designer. I’m thinking of either applying to this [ENTER_NAME_OF_2_YEAR_UNIVERSITY] course. There’s also this [ENTER_NAME_OF_HIPSTER_DESIGN_TRAINING_SCHOOL/COURSE] which lasts X weeks, and costs $X000. I’m undecided. Which would you choose?

Thanks,

After a deep sigh, my answer is always the same, “I wouldn’t pay for any of that“.

Continue reading Don’t Pay for Design School

I No Longer Want to Start a Startup

We all know the “Silicon Valley” siren call:

IF:

  • you quit your job, and start a company, AND
  • you raise money (early & often), AND
  • you prioritize the growth of your company over everything else in your life, AND
  • you can hang onto the reins for 5-12 years…

THEN:

  • you’ll be rewarded with a Scrooge McDuck sized money vault, AND
  • you’ll ultimately live a fulfilled, happy life!

I used to sip this Kool-aid…

Continue reading I No Longer Want to Start a Startup