Swapnil Acharya's story is a lesson for those who think the only way to learn the tricks of a trade is to attend a professional school. Until 2000, Swapnil did not even have a computer of his own and the only tool at his disposal as he set out to learn website design was beginner's curiosity.

Initially a friend helped him figure out the basics and then he was on his own. Working his way up by studying the source codes of existing websites and doing research on the internet, Swapnil, who took his A-levels at Kathmandu Academy, started designing his own site, putting extra care into Flash, the technology for animation.

The quality of this 20-year-old's work impressed his friends, who advised him to turn professional. Swapnil turned to the internet once again, this time to find professional contacts, which in turn got him his first job: building the website of a motor workshop for a friend's father. That was only the beginning. Swapnil is a do-it-yourself guy and has since built websites for foreign companies and organisations: all by working online.

Swapnil's own website www.himmasters.net/nepali, won two awards-for best technical qualities and best overall in Wave Web Winner 2005, the website designing contest of Himalmedia's Wave magazine. Said a beaming Swapnil: "Web designing is an art. It involves creativity."

Already swamped with work, Swapnil has no time to go to university just now. "Maybe later," he says. A man of few words is Swapnil but what a designer!

Alok Tumbahangphey