That isn't a question I ask myself often. Usually, I'm pretty headstrong and know exactly where my future lies; it's exactly the reason why I left my full-time Web job four (FOUR!?) years ago, took up freelancing to get me by, then went back to university to further my abilities and grow up a bit (and give the government handfuls of cash). In short, I'm usually pretty confident about what my next step is. Well, I was until recently.
The past
Before university I was a young Web designer, perhaps even a developer. I absolutely loved designing for the Web, and making websites was how I spent my free time. However, I was a noob back then and I really hadn't thought about what I actually enjoyed about making things for the Web. I'd been doing it since I was 12, but it was only when I did finally think about why I was doing it that everything became clear to me — it wasn't Web design that I loved, it was using technology to make something cool. Soon after that I got bored of making websites and I gave up freelancing to start blogging and experimenting with Web technologies; it was the birth of this website as you see it today. So, I needed to get myself into an environment that gave me the freedom and the time to learn new things, while not having to worry about earning and income and all that boring stuff. University was the only logical option!
If I ever had to rank the decisions I've made in my life in order of pure genius, going to university for the second time in my life (long story) would be high up there. In fact, it's probably the best decision I've made that doesn't involve my beautiful lady friend, although I have to say that if I ever want to have children. Still, what I'm getting at is that going to university has literally changed my life and opened my eyes to things I would never have considered before; like trying out programming that doesn't involve the Web, or speaking in front of a large crowd of people. The environment and opportunity that I've been given during my time here has allowed me to flourish and really push myself to try new things. Those new things often end up causing me a lot of pain as I completely fail at them, but it's not the end result that matters, it's the process and the learning that comes about by actually attempting something.
The present
Having the opportunity to try new things has undoubtably lead to bigger and better things; my internship at Redweb, for example. It was there that I got to experiment and explore HTML5 canvas, a Web technology I really hadn't done much with before then. The knowledge I picked up from those few weeks allow me to put together the HTML5 Google balls logo in a couple of hours on the morning of the 7th of September this year. And, it was that experiment that catapulted me into a whole new world of opportunity and wonder; a world that I never imagine I'd get to see. It was this new world that gave me the chance to write a book (I still haven't got used to the fact that I'm on Amazon); that gave me the chance explore bigger and better Web technologies; that allowed me to prove that I actually do know a thing or two; that let me organise a HTML5 hack night that sold-out and was sponsored by Microsoft; that that gave me to knowledge and courage to get on stage in front of 150 professionals in London and talk about my latest project.
It was this new world that changed my life in such a short amount of time. It's this new world that has brought me to this very moment in time; a moment in time that has left me without a next step, for the first time since I can remember.
The future
So what do I do now? Well I know for sure that the next six months are going to be spent writing the book and finishing off what's left of my university degree. I also know that I want to continue experimenting and learning new technologies; there's no way I'm going to give that up. And, I can't avoid the fact that I'm going to need to earn an living. But, can I find a full-time job that gives me the freedom to experiment and that gives me time to work on my own projects? Or, would freelancing be a better idea? At least that way I can make my own time and I can work on projects that are fun and interesting. Or, what about something a bit different? Perhaps I could monetise my experimentations, or do paid writing and workshops off the back of them. Who knows. Perhaps you could tell me; I'd like to hear your opinion on it all.
What I do know is that I've never been so excited about the future before. Considering my life has been turned upside down in the space of a few weeks; I genuinely don't have a clue about what's going to happen over the next few months. The thought of that really, really excites me!
Transmissions Received
Adam Wintle
I definitely think you should give freelancing another shot, its incredibly rewarding and its easier to change direction than if you were working full-time again.
I think with your book deal, your recent exposure from the Google balls/HTML5 canvas experiment among other things you shouldn’t have too many problems finding clients and work.
At the moment what’s stopping you from freelancing again as your next step?
Mark Parsons
This may be a bit of a cliché but just ‘go with the flow’, it’s funny how quickly opportunities present themselves and what might look appealing now might not in 6 months time. If it was a choice between freelance or a full-time job, I’d always sway towards freelance just for the flexibility it gives you, you could mix client work with your other projects while still earning a good living.
On a side note, I think what you’ve achieved in the past few months is nothing short of brilliant, HTML5 Google balls logo and Rawkets blew my mind and has really opened my eyes to the world of HTML5 canvas so thanks for that!
So, well done and good luck for the future!
Hedaru
About the future = Something different.
Perhaps, you’ll need some extra time away from the technology and computer itself. Life isn’t just about science, study, and work. It’s all about how you live around the time in the world. So what do you do now?
Support a charity, donate for help, and anything else for people.
You have the chance, choice, and code. Good luck :)
Joel Carr
When I started the BAIMP course, I had no idea of what it was going to involve! Having seen the work you have done and getting great recognition with it has inspired me to try and plan around with new things I have never heard of before. Why not try and do what Mark Shufflebottom does? It seems like he gets to experiment with quite a lot of the time and then gets to show everyone about it. It might be worth having a chat with him. Or I bet you there a jobs at sites like google or Facebook where they need someone to experiment with the new technologies that are coming their way. I mean even you showed up google with the canvas tag, I am sure they could learn a few things from you ;)
Mark Embling
This is an interesting question, and I find it interesting that you don’t find yourself asking this question often. I wish I could say the same—I have often wondered about this, and will no doubt continue to do so.
Needless to say, I find that something very difficult (read: impossible) to answer for myself so answering for someone else would just be foolhardy. However what I can do (which may or may not hold any value) is to comment regarding my own experiences.
After I finished uni, I went straight into a full-time job back at my placement company (I did a sandwich degree where year 3 is spent in a relevant work placement). As with all jobs, there are aspects of it which are a pain sometimes, but on the whole I think this was a good decision and knowing what I know now, I would do it all again exactly the same.
I think the key to being happy in a full time job in our field is not just a case of doing what you enjoy. Sure, that is a very important part, but not the be-all-and-end-all. I find things which make a surprisingly big difference are as follows:
# Working with someone (be it a single person or a team) who is smarter than you. This might sound counter-intuitive but it makes a massive difference. It helps you push yourself and you might end up feeling stupid sometimes—that’s OK. The end result will be a valuable learning experience.
# Superiors and/or team members who respect the abilities you bring to the table. Everyone has their weaknesses and strengths, and it is likely that you will bring new strengths to the team. If other members (particularly the more established ones) can identify and are happy to defer to you on matters which you are clearly well-versed in, it definitely helps in making you feel valued, and it results in a better end result.
# Some latitude in decision-making. This is a tough one, as it will vary a lot from organisation to organisation, job to job. However I’m lucky enough to find myself in a position now where I have a fair degree of flexibility on how problems are addressed. This is a very powerful thing, and of course it does introduce the risk of you making a bad call. However, if you make the right call and it pays off, it makes you feel great about it.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the benefit of freelance experience to be able to contrast and compare the two experiences. Certainly that way, you lose out on any team aspects and I think that’s something which is essential. If you are part of a great team who can collaborate on the same wavelength, it is awesome. I find that it also helps to be challenged. Its all too easy to make the assumption that your method/idea/whatever is the best and only way, and sometimes an alternative suggestion can really make you stop and think.
One other thing I’d say is that its also important to focus on ‘extra-curricular’ activities centred around your work and interests. User groups, community events, all that stuff… that is something which I’d always want to be a part of regardless of where I was, what I was doing, and for whom. We have the good fortune to be engaged in something which goes beyond a 9 to 5. I hardly feel I need to be saying this, as you’ve done more speaking than I have… talk about preaching to the converted! :) What we do as developers and designers is to bring the awesome, whether that’s for your customers, your company or for clients… you can look at it at the end of the day and say ‘you know what… I made that.’
So, my future? After all that waffle, I ought to be able to tell you my own plans, right? Er… no. I haven’t got the foggiest. What I can tell you is that for now, I’m definitely in the right place for me. In time, when the time to move on comes, I will of course go elsewhere and do something new. But I have no idea what I’ll be doing, and where I’ll be doing it at.
All I can suggest is to do what feels right at the time. Even if it goes totally pear-shaped, you’ll be able to look back and say you know what… I have no regrets about doing that. But in all likelihood, you’ll find yourself in just the right place for you. And I guess what I’m trying to say is this: it’s not where we are or who we’re doing it for that matters, it’s what we’re doing and who we’re doing it with. I hope that helps in some way, although I suspect not. :)
JohnONolan
Urgh I was just about to congratulate you for this not being a cliché:
“In fact, it’s probably the best decision I’ve made”
Then you followed it with
“that doesn’t involve my beautiful lady friend,”
I hope your testicles fall off in your sleep you beast!
Liam McKay
I thought you were missing one big option that you have, but then you quite rightly mentioned it towards the end:
“Or, what about something a bit different? Perhaps I could monetise my experimentations”
To me, that screams out as being the thing you should do. I have absolutely no idea how, but talk of workshops & books seem to make sense. I’m sure whatever you do you can make it work - and I’m sure the people around you will be more than happy to help you out along the way :)
Ruth
Having known you since the early Rawkes logo concepts and ‘Mooie’ the cow, I always knew you were destined to ensure your freedom with work. I can’t see you tied down to a monotonous 9-5 job. I need the stability as my talents are lacking. But you could make it on your own without a doubt. Create apps and do workshops. Don’t limit your creative freedom by doing what is ‘the norm’. You have it good now, you’ve created a name for yourself. Have fun with it :)
Regards,
Your own personal Northerner :D
Abid
Judging by how much you’ve enjoyed having the freedom to experiment with new technologies whilst at university, I’d suggest possibly going freelance. That way, you’re able to earn a living, whilst hopefully using free time to experiment on new and exciting things.
Having said that, I could easily see you working for a top UK web agency. You seemed to make a good impression at Redweb, so that’s always an option.
Look at the pro’s and cons of both and decide what would suit you best.
Alan
I would really look at monetizing your experiments as well as doing freelance.
This gives you the freedom that you clearly need to create ome of the most amazing stuff I have seen on the internet.
Or you could do what John suggests and hope your testicals fall off, whatever works for you really :P
Gavin Williams
Having been through everything you’re going through I can tell you that freelancing is great… up to a point. That’s the point where what you’re doing no longer becomes enjoyable, and it’s more about the money than the actual work, regardless of where you go and what projects your put on.
It’s quite hard to move from one field to another unless you’re in a really creative and understanding environment. That’s what you’ll find when you’re permanent, you can move between fields and technologies much more easily, but the pay isn’t half as nice as being a contractor (at least in London any way) and you’re stuck with the people you work with, you can either love em or hate em.
I hit that point when I did my last contract, reflected back at why I started doing what I’m doing now 10 years ago and started my own business. The companies I contracted for are now my clients, and I get to do the more experimental stuff I’d always wanted to do within those companies. I have time to do all of the fun stuff I want to do too. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fucking hard work at times, but the work we get in has been fun as hell.
To be honest Rob, I think you need to make your own decision. Some one can only tell you about their good or bad experience, which will almost certainly differ from your own. If I can give you one piece of advice, it’s to do what you feel is right for you. If you’re not enjoying being somewhere, leave, you’ll never be short of work, I promise you that. Just never forget why you’re doing what you’re doing. Guys like you are hard to come by, it’d be a shame to loose your self in the “rat race”.
Ralph Saunders
Just do something… cool.
Gavin Williams
Forgot to say, I went permanent in a place after contracting there for 3 months. I enjoyed it, but after a year I left. It was stable, but what I earnt in a month as a permanent employee I soon started earning in 3 days as a contractor, plus I stayed because I enjoyed working with my team, they soon left and I no longer enjoyed my self.
The contracts I often took were long term (4 - 6 months) at the end of every one I was asked whether I wanted to renew my contract because they wanted to keep me. If you’re an asset to their business they will keep you on, and you can easily make a good stable living out of it. Just remember to save up when you’re let go or want to take some time out. You can always do this and channel money into your potential business. Contracting makes a great stepping stone.
Luke Jones
For the first few months at least you’re probably best-off working for a company. With your development and design history you’re bound to be able to get a job at somewhere very rewarding.
The only other option is to freelance and that all depends on whether you’re confident that you can manage the sales, business and project management aspect of it and create a sustainable business, go for it. But it’s something not everybody can do.
To be honest mate, it’s all down to you.
Gavin Williams
Bollox… forgot something else! If you find a group of good recruitment agency’s to work with like digitalgurus, pcr recruitment or venn. They will keep you in work. You won’t need to go out and find new contracts your self. Remember that these guys are on a lot of preferred suppliers lists for companies like BSkyB, Apple, Channel 4 and Virgin as well as a few other digital agencies and broadcasting companies. You’ll be on site with them and managed internally.
You can manage your finances through giant.
ErisDS
I can’t help but feel that one option, that seems like a potentially great next step, has been missed?
Why not stay at University?
You are an effing genius, but not only that, you also have that talent, that *something* which very few are born with (and you gotta be born with it) that lets you spawn new ideas and creations like you’re the Allspark or something.
You want the freedom to create, explore, learn and teach others and it seems to me that getting yourself a PhD might just be a great way to go about it. You’ve already gotten yourself a book deal and a Microsoft sponsored event, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t find it hard to get funding.
I remember the LONG conversations we had when you were considering going back to Uni, and you’re in a similar place now, looking for the best way to continue to do what you do best. Explore.
Whatever you decide I’m sure it’s going to rock. Good Luck!