Comments on: The Age Card: Snakes and Ladders

By: steve

steve — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:45:54 +0000

I’m not a lawyer, but I think if you lie about your age to get a job it’s misrepresentation and may be legal grounds to terminate a contract at any point or even file a lawsuit for damages based on misrepresentation if the final product doesn’t leave the client satisfied and they can reasonably claim financial damages as a result of your misrepresentation. Might be it’s not even your fault the project bombs and you just get scapegoated because you lied about your age and are an easy target. If you’re working for someone who’s not the end client such as a design agency then they could be held negligent for not realizing your deception. (exactly the sort of thing experienced people think about, and young people usually don’t)

Of course if you’re under 18 you probably can’t be held liable for that sort of thing anyway, so it’s employer beware.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:27:44 +0000

Just like Arthus, I am 14 years old.
I do not hide it, but neither do I advertise it.
I hope that people will come to me for my content, and not to see if “that little boy is good enough”. (Although I really haven’t written anything yet…) :)

By: joe winnick

joe winnick — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:35:11 +0000

Connor, please don’t take my comments personally. I’m sure you’re a talented young man and I commend you on your ambition.

However, are you implying a 17 year old can hire an experienced designer, or can be an experienced designer? If you mean can hire, I suppose you’re right. Otherwise I’m sorry to say there’s no high school equivalent of a BFA / MFA, even if you have some small amount of work experience. (I make no presumtions about your personal level of work experience, but the fact is a high school student just cannot have the same level of experience as someone working full time, earning a living in any profession.)

Additionally, if you’re implying a portfolio is the only component upon which qualifications matter, this is also untrue. Someone can have a fabulous portfolio and still be an irresponsible person to hire, or just be showing concepts of never implemented designs.

By: Connor Wilson

Connor Wilson — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:11:14 +0000

Joe, you’re the person this article talks about, really.

If a 17 year old can bring a “trained” designer to school (no pun intended) then why the discrimination?

By: joe winnick

joe winnick — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:38:25 +0000

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking about age when you’ve got 17 year olds out there claiming to be professional designers after their homework is done and lacrosse practice is over.

Anyhow you get what you pay for, a client has a right to know if they’re hiring a real designer with training and experience or an amateur.

By: Arthus Erea

Arthus Erea — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:46:04 +0000

I am honest about my age (14) but try not to use it as a selling point. On my blog I state my age, but don't advertise as a 14-year-old blogger. I want people to be interested because of my voice and my writing, not my age. However, I do feel that my age gives me a unique perspective. Since I see the world from within the education system, I have very different ideas from a professional programmer supporting his family. For freelance work, I am honest about my age but most clients are fine with it.

By: Vyoma

Vyoma — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:19:19 +0000

Meh! Feels good that I am past that point. I was past the point when I started doing things seriously on the internet.

(Hmmm. I think I am growing old).

By: Kevin Sylvia

Kevin Sylvia — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:51:01 +0000

I’m currently 16 years old, going on 17 next month, and this issue has been discussed over and over again in the group of teen designers I converse with. It’s one of those things that will hinder you if you let it. For the most part you have to just let it roll off your shoulders, so to say. In my personal experiences, it hasn’t brought any extra attention to my blog, save for the occasional “wow, I can’t believe you’re doing all this at 16″ comment.

As for design, I haven’t really focused much on my freelance work (certain events have kept me from doing so) but in the past I’ve had no problem expressing my age to clients, and not a single one has complained.

By: Connor Wilson

Connor Wilson — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:40:30 +0000

At 17 Tom, you’re kind of in the place where people stop caring. But as you mentioned, you find all the reasons for clients to forget your age- great work, and you’re on par or in greater intelligence than professionals in the field.

By: Tom Partridge

Tom Partridge — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:51:11 +0000

You have certainly raised an interesting topic, but I would never have posted about it because I don’t really care. I post my age on the front page of my blog because I want my blog to have a feeling of honesty. Your name and age are pretty obvious things to tell someone.

I have been providing graphic/web design services since I was about 15 and have never had any issues with my age. Even clients who I consult face to face have never commented. But then I genuinely believe that I am at least as competent, articulate, and intelligent as many of the professionals that offer the same services. I also ensure I have a stunning portfolio of work to push under their noses just in case they look about to ask how old I am :P