Is 50 too old to be a web designer?

[An Artist]

Is 50 too old to be in the web/flash industry? Should a person that age get into something new? Is this a young person's industry?
This is a serious question. Thanks.

[gerbick]

If you're good, no.

[jAQUAN]

I think this is a pretty take on the where the industry is headed. http://theflashblog.com/?p=1743
I think a wise thing for someone of any age to do focus on a particular facet of development that you really enjoy. You'll definitely be able to find work in that area. If your experience in that area leads you into others, all the better.

[bigginge]

Damn fool question.
(Bigginge, age 60 and 1 month)

[Loyal Rogue]

Is 50 too old to be in the web/flash industry? Should a person that age get into something new? Is this a young person's industry?
This is a serious question. Thanks.

Wait a minute... I'm confused...
Didn't the crystal in your palm turn red when you reached 30?

[cancerinform]

My official job is not Web design. Web design with Flash as focus is my hobby and I have a little business. However, some years ago I applied for jobs (about 4) once and I was over 50 and got 2 interviews. I still had my other job and was not unemployed, a fact that some companies did not like, since I said not to start the same day. That age is only relative here is one thing I really like about the US, since in Europe or Japan I would never have got any interview.

[stevehungry]

personally i think that if you can do the job and do it well, you deserve a shot at it. but that's me, employers don't like hiring older people. as you mentioned in japan people are expected to have 1 job and stick with it for a career throughout there life. here in the UK employers don't like hiring older people either, because they fear they can't keep up with the work that young people can do. and yep..you wouldn't of even got an interview. if i was in your shoes i would keep my current job and maybe look into some web design as freelance work..theres a good few websites where people post jobs for freelancers in this kind of field (photoshop, web design, flash dev etc) just type freelance into google.

if you can wing it and get an official job as a web designer then well done, but people dont get hired in an area that they don't have alot of experience in because there in the same boat as a young person. who also dont have experience but can put in more years than an older person.

sorry for the long speech btw

[Loyal Rogue]

In all seriousness, obscure 30+ yr old movie references aside, at this stage in the game perhaps you should be using your expertise, design knowledge and maturity to manage your own stable of young talent.
If you're any good at this then you should have an impressive portfolio by now and several sites at the top of the search engines bringing in a steady stream of leads.

If not you can still hire a hungry, hotshot salesperson to drum up enough new business to keep you neckdeep in work.
The economy and job market right now are ideal for both skimming the cream off the top of the unemployment line at a bargain basement price as well as offering the only affordable investment that most small businesses are able to handle right now.

[Googooboyy]

Hello Loyal Rogue! Haven't seen you around much these days.

Yeah, I second him in nudging you towards managing a stable of young talent, but not that it should stop you from developing for the web if you're still passionate about it.

As for age stopping anyone from trying anything new, why should it, if health permits?