I wanna change my job and join some paid courses from a design studio. I'm afraid 'cause there's so much competition that it'll be hard to find jobs and clients, and I might not charge enough for my work.
Should I spend my time and money on this, or pick something else?

let's address the elephant in the room - the design industry is like the Wild West, chock-full of competition. It's a gold rush out there, with more designers than gold nuggets, if you catch my drift. So, you're right to be worried, but let's not let that fear hold us back, yeah?

Now, let's talk money. You're concerned about charging enough for your work. Well, let me tell you, undercharging is a real thing, and it's a nasty habit that can stick to you like glue. You see, there are always those pesky designers out there who'll charge peanuts just to get a job. They're like the discount bin at the supermarket - nobody wants to be associated with them, but they're always there, undercutting everyone else. Don't be that designer, okay?

But here's the thing, you can't just pluck a number out of thin air and call it your rate. You've got to do your homework. Research what other designers in your niche are charging. Look at their portfolios, their experience, and their clientele. Then, take a good, hard look at your own skills and experience. Are you a seasoned designer with a killer portfolio and a client list that's the who's who of your industry? If so, you can charge a premium. If not, well, you might have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

Now, let's talk about those pesky courses you want to take. They're not cheap, are they? And let's face it, some of them are about as useful as a chocolate teapot. But, if you find the right ones, they can be a game-changer. They can give you the skills and knowledge you need to stand out from the crowd. But here's the thing, you've got to be willing to put in the work. It's not just about signing up and paying your fees. You've got to be ready to roll up your sleeves, put in the hours, and really learn.

But here's where I'm going to get a bit provocative - are you sure you want to be a designer? I mean, it's not all rainbows and unicorns, you know. There's a lot of late nights, tight deadlines, and clients from hell. And let's not forget the constant pressure to keep up with the latest trends and tools. It's a lot to take on, and if you're not passionate about it, you're going to struggle.

So, should you spend your time and money on this? Well, that's up to you. But let me leave you with this thought - the design industry is like a rollercoaster ride. It's got its ups and downs, its twists and turns. But if you're willing to hold on tight and enjoy the ride, it can be one hell of an adventure. Just remember, it's not all about the destination.

Concept of web design has become outdated and doesn't hold much weight anymore. What's truly essential is focusing more on developmental side of user experience rather than just design aspects.

Now, UI/UX design, or user interface and experience design, has become the new standard. This shift happened especially during 2020 when the line between mobile and web technology got increasingly blurred. While different programming languages still matter a lot for coders, designers today really must have knowledge in both mobile and web platforms since mobile layouts have become the norm for all websites.

If you aim to create websites, previously known as designing for the web, you should definitely dive into UI/UX studies. The field basically covers things such as:

Interaction with mobile devices
Interaction with desktops
Understanding user behavior and design fundamentals
Aesthetics of modern interfaces

It's also notable that interactive design is now trend towards technical skills. You'll need more than just artistic talent, like being good at Photoshop, as in the days when web design was simplistic. Now, technical savvy that overlaps with programming has become essential. While this has always been a norm in the West, our local designers tended to focus solely on the graphic side, which led to a disconnect from the technical realm for some time. Thankfully, we are now going back to the origin of this field.

In short, focus on interface design and let go of the obsolete "web design" label. UI/UX skills are highly sought after and will remain relevant across various platforms for a long time.

Absolutely worth it, innit? Ain't no oversaturated market 'cause in real life, many projects struggle to find a decent web designer. Lots of beginners with zero skills, folks tryin' to pass off others' designs as their own, and those who just played around with Photoshop, clueless 'bout Figma.

You feel web design's your jam? Give it a shot, mate.

But listen up, the web's always changin', web design jobs often project-based, ya gotta keep adaptin'. Might end up workin' on apps or device interfaces instead of websites.

Ready to learn new tricks? Get started, yeah?

And hey, web design skills can help ya in other gigs: layout design, UX, front-end, and such. Started with web design 20 years back, now I'm an SEO specialist, no regrets 'bout designing websites, helps me loads.