Workshop recap: breaking into web design, with Mike Locke

There’s always something new around the corner: a new design trend, new code framework, or new technology to deal with. It’s an imposing reality. 

But it’s also what makes web design so tantalizing. People want to get in because it’s such a dynamic world, so full of possibilities.

In last week’s Webflow Workshop, special guest Mike Locke shared his story of breaking into web design.

If you aren’t familiar with Mike yet, he’s a UI/UX designer currently at ADP. Before ADP, he worked with FOX Interactive Media, CBS Interactive, and Yahoo!. But what he’s known for is the inspiring and super-helpful videos he’s been sharing on his YouTube channel for over 6 years now.

Here are just a few of the insights he shared with us in the weekly Webflow Workshop.

You don’t need a degree

Mike told us you don’t need a college degree to get started in the web design industry, but it does take a lot of hustle and self-confidence. There’s so much valuable education available out there on the web, from our own courses to offerings like Treehouse, Lynda, and Skillshare, that you can easily build your own educational path.

You will feel like an impostor

Early in your career, you’ll go through the “imposter syndrome” phase. 

Every designer goes through it. Just know that, through persistence, you’ll fight your way through it. (Though it’ll occasionally rear its ugly head down the line.)

Pro tip: Self-doubt can be a good thing. It’s often actually the most-capable people who experience impostor syndrome the most often and intensely.  

Also, when you find your way through the self-doubt, share the knowledge you fought so hard for with the community—for free. Helping those who still struggle with confidence in their design skills will prove invaluable over time—to them and to you.

Mike on Webflow

Mike also shared how Webflow has sped up his design process when prototyping front-end designs without coding. In fact, his first try in the Webflow Designer gave him “goosebumps” because of it’s ease-of-use and the quality of the code it produces.

Thanks again, Mike, for being a guest of our show! We can’t wait to see what you build with Webflow.

Want to be a guest?

If you would like to be a guest, contact Nelson and we’ll get you on the air.