Introducing the self-paced DFTW

The First Four Years

Maybe you’ve already heard about Perpetual Education—or maybe this is your first introduction. Design for The Web (DFTW) is our holistic web development curriculum, evolving through real-world practice since 2019.

We’ve worked with people from all walks of life, refining every workshop, challenge, and resource to focus on what truly makes a difference. The result is more than just a collection of lessons—it’s a complete system designed to help you connect design and development, think critically, and build meaningful skills. It’s competitive out there. So, you need to be a little better than everyone else.

Ultimately, it’s about gaining the confidence to tackle real-world problems and creating work you’re truly proud of.

Why a self-paced program?

Years of one-on-one and group coaching have only reinforced what we’ve always known: true growth comes from within. That’s why we created this self-driven program—to empower more of you to take charge of your learning and make meaningful progress on your terms.

Put simply, we believe a world with more designers (yes, that means web developers) – is a better world. A good designer is a good person, and learning these skills is a foundation that can lead to any career.

How does it work?

This isn’t a course you watch and binge—it’s a course of action. With milestones and feedback at every step, you won’t move forward until your work is signed off and meets our standards. Think of it as our internal (unofficial) certification for the degree of skill and experience you need to be a successful (hirable) developer or designer.

You’ll either be able to do the work—or you won’t. The sooner you discover where you stand, the less time and money you’ll waste chasing a hazy dream.

Instead of memorizing steps, we help you understand why things work. Our focus is on building critical thinking and problem-solving skills so you can approach any challenge with confidence. And while the work is web-based, the mindset you’ll build goes far beyond—teaching you how to create meaningful, human-centered solutions in everything you do.

Is this right for me?

If you’re the type of person who really wants to learn this – and has the time and focus, it will be an incredible force multiplier. It’s what we wish we had when we were starting out—and it’s the result of over four years of focused development, built on lessons learned and insights gained since Derek began answering questions and helping others in 2011.

This program is unapologetically simple, clever, and yes—even fun. It’s not just for superstar A+ students (those who are used to chasing grades often struggle most because real-world problems don’t come with a clear rubric). This is for anyone willing to push through discomfort, tackle the real challenges of the job, and take ownership of their learning.

It’s about YOU doing the work. No shortcuts, no fluff—just the most effective way to focus your time and energy. Whether your goal is to build confidence, maintain enthusiasm, or create a faster path to a rewarding career, this program is designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward.

If you’ve struggled with procrastination, tutorial purgatory, time management, or challenges related to neurodiversity, this program is here to help. It’s about reframing your approach, overcoming obstacles, and building a love for the work—a lifestyle that works for you. Come talk to us about it. We can explain exactly how it works, why it works, and when it doesn’t work – and help you decide if it’s a good fit for your goals. And we like meeting new people : ) And we’re happy to recommend books or courses, whatever might be an even better fit, based on where you’re at and your goals.

How much does it cost?

As of today, the program is $199 a month, and that’s the price you’ll keep for as long as you’re enrolled. We’re not sure yet how much we’ll scale this program—we’re looking for the right number of people (not the most people). As we grow and refine, we expect the price to land at $300 a month, (with additional support options available).

How Long Will It Take?

Unlike colleges or coding boot camps that promise you’ll be “job-ready” by a specific date, we know it’s not about how much time has passed—it’s about your maturity as a learner and your readiness to contribute meaningfully.

If you’re able to dedicate 2-3 hours a day consistently, we estimate it will take about 9 months to complete the core material. That said, everyone learns at their own pace. As we get to know you and see how things are going, we’ll help you forecast a realistic timeline based on your progress, strengths, and goals.

And here’s the thing: there’s no reason you can’t start exploring job opportunities while you’re still working through the program. This isn’t about checking off modules for a certificate—it’s about gaining the experience and confidence to be useful and get hired. The skills you’re building can open doors long before you’ve “finished” every single module.

Our goal isn’t speed—it’s about building confidence and real-world competence. By the time you complete the core material, you’ll have the skills, projects, and knowledge to stand out and contribute as part of a team. DFTW about building a long-term career.

And it doesn’t stop there. We’re continually creating electives and additional materials to explore new areas, so as part of the alumni network, you’ll have access to everything we build moving forward. You won’t need us forever—but we’ll be here for as long as you do.