voluntary

[Emmanize]

How do you go about finding voluntary web design projects? I am still struggling to get a toe in the door let alone a foot :(. My last role was more website administrator, I enjoyed the role but due to redundancy (the job relocated) I have had to look for another job. I have been looking for things like website administration, website co coordinator and online marketing executive, as I do want to keep in the web sector. I am always looking for a junior web design roles as well but I do get fed up of agencies ringing me up after I have applied for a job acting all sarcastic telling me I don’t have the experience (bastereds) . The thing is how do you get the experience? I have done as much as I can on my own. So I thought id look for voluntary web design work, and no such look there. All I found where other companies offering there services (not helping people like me may I add). It just seems almost impossible to find any window to crawl into and as its one of the only things I can do and enjoy, it’s a bit depressing. :(
On a good note, I have just had an interview for a Jr web designer and it went well. But I am not able to create PHP forms. He asked me and I had to be honest and say no. However he was thinking of employing a more technical person as well (back end). Which would be perfect for me as I am just solely design, and up to now doesn’t do me any justice in the work place because companies will not out source. People always tell me I should work for myself, but how can you when you haven't even been employed in the sector?

People say to work for yourself you have to do the following:
Employment
Self employment
Freelance#You can skip one but not all.

That’s almost impossible! Or at least I am finding it impossible. Even if I went to a college they will still going to say I lack experience, as they can no longer employ based on qualification in the UK.

If you have any suggestion I would be very grateful as feel like I am missing out.
Remember I live in England, UK.

[Emmanize]

Any suggestions from people in the UK?

[jimking]

Not from the UK but what about charity work? Churches, nonprofit groups etc.

[captain spanky]

i am also from englanduk :D
all you can do is keep trying... get onto some design/networking sites and show off some stuff you have already done... if you have some spare time, make up projects just to show off your skills... try and get in with other designers and get them to recommend you to others if they need some web work done... remember a lot of the time it's not what you know, it's who.
good one for being honest.. but you can always learn... i have bought and borrowed a few books and am teaching myself css... always push yourself, no one else will... keep going and you will get somewhere... people will see your potential. :)

[Annie Social]

My local newspaper has a page on Sundays listing upcoming meetings of various clubs and organizations... the Astronomy Club, etc., and a number of those listed have regular meetings and no website. This might be a source; call up the contact and say you'd like to create and maintain a website for them, either free or for just a few dollars a month.

[Drazan]

I have 12 years experience and all but this last year has been freelance. My portfolio includes designes that I did for my websites.

Also see if you can tag your name to a developer group. I'm part of Gallery http://gallery.sf.net and created the first css skinning system for it in 2002 and that does add to my qualifications quite nicely. At one point, I can honestly say that "my code" was on nearly a half million sites. :)

There's many opensource applications out there that need theme contributors as well as developers. With opensource you can work in your comfort level and ask a team of people how to do things. It is a great experience and allows people to grow their talents.

Also, I would recommend doing websites as examples. PHP is not that hard to pick up and all scripting you need has been written before and made available. All you need to know is where to find the resources. Once you see how something is built - it's easy to duplicate and change as needed.

http://www.freeformmaker.com/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/phpdbform/

You'll have to keep an eye out for what's secure, and what's not. And that only comes with experience. Unless you are applying for a "coder/programmer" most designers can get away with using prebuilt applications and assistant scripts.

Jade