For graphic designers, there are three main job situations: an in-house art department, a studio/firm/agency, or freelance.
I remember when I was close to graduating college in 2006, the professors asked us which situation appealed to us the most and why. At the time, I wanted to be an in-house designer because I thought a situation like that would afford me the most stability without the huge time commitment that I had always heard was required of studio designers.
Now that I’ve been an in-house designer for almost 3 years (I started working before I graduated), I’m wondering what the pros and cons really are for other positions.
In-House Designer
The pros of an in-house designer: closer to normal working hours (sometimes), no dealing with contracts, assured payment for work (don’t under-estimate the value of that!), higher probability of good benefits
The cons of an in-house designer: may work alone, without other creatives, always the same brand with the same style, “clients” (other departments) take you for granted an may not respect you as much as they would a firm or freelancer they were paying
Firm/Studio/Agency Designer
As I have not worked at a firm or studio before, I have to guess on these and write from what I’ve heard others say.
The pros of a firm/studio designer: lots of creative energy and ideas, learn from other creatives, diversity of brands and styles, experience the business side of design and client interaction, non-monetary perks
The cons of a firm/studio designer: long hours, creative differences in projects, benefits (insurance, retirement, etc) may not be as good, fast pace, get burnt out quickly
Freelance Designer
I have done a little bit of freelance, but nowhere near enough to be able to support myself on it. I know that even within freelance design there are a variety of ways you can operate. Some freelance designers take contract jobs with design firms, others work only with their own clients and some choose to be subcontractors for other designers.
The pros of a freelance designer: flexible hours, choose which projects to work on, flexible working environment, possibility to make the most money
The cons of a freelance designer: not always steady flow of work (and therefore money), accounting and legal considerations, difficulty taking vacation/sick time, need self-discipline to plan project schedule, little contact with other creatives
What About You?
What kind of designer are you? Do you like it? If you had the chance, would you switch to another job situation?
P.S. Go check out my first guest post on doodlage, Doodling Improves Creativity!
I’ve been “in-house” for 10 years already (scary number). Love it. Low (or almost none) stress, normal hours, all the latest soft and technology, trips to conferences and such.
But I’m a very laid-back, non-ambitious type, so somebody else could’ve been bored working here
RaShell’s last blog post..Doodle-Floor Extravaganza
Ah yes, the whole ‘always working to the same guidelines’. I definitely don’t miss that about life in-house, and find there’s a lot more freedom about working with new client after new client.
I just made reference to an old post of mine, about the pros and cons of freelancing. I tried linking it through my name, but the URL was too long.
I’ve learnt how not to do that since then.
David Airey’s last blog post..Your questions answered #4
RaShell,
Gosh I’m jealous of your in-house position. Mine is nothing like that. I’m expected to work long hours (and I’m salaried, so I don’t get paid or comp time for it) and I’m still working in CS2 (I’m lucky they upgraded to that… before it was PS 7.0, Illy 10 and Quirk 6.5!). And forget conferences, I’m lucky they completely pay for me to go to our own annual sales convention for our franchisees.
David,
Was this the post you were talking about? I remember reading that one (Wow, was it really almost a year and a half ago you wrote that??). I think I would like freelance because of the variety, but I also find the idea of agency work appealing because I love the creative process, especially bouncing ideas off each other to get an even better idea; it’s the most exciting thing about design to me! I would also appreciate the chance to learn from more experienced designers and ask lots of questions.
I have worked both in agencies as an agency designer (for around 4/5 years) and now as a freelance designer (3 years so far) and like you said they have pros and cons.
Freelance is great but there is alot of responsiblity, you have to find the work yourself and it can be a case of all or nothing sometimes. But its nice in the occasional downtime to explore other areas of design that you just couldn’t in an agency or in-house, such as I have started to with my artwork/illustration.
In-house designer never really appealed to me fulltime, as I’ve heard it can be very much the same work week in week out, but I’m sure that’s not what all inhouse designers experience?
I have been in-house now for about 6 months, after a horrible stint at Freelance for a year. I think one HUGE issue with freelance is the tax considerations. Some people don’t think about how they have to be very diligent with taxes, write-offs, etc. when considering a freelance life. Then to compound that you have the irregularity of work, shady contracts, odd hours, etc. Now that I am in-house, I find the hours more stable (though still near 10 hours a day salaried), the money very reliable, full benefits, and only the employee taxes to worry about. I think Free lance is a great thing if you have the financial discipline and experience in handling ups and downs… so for the well seasoned designer! Besides, you really don’t get the experience growth hounding for clients. I feel that the best freelancer has clients who come to them for creative direction. As freelance I learned quickly that you are they’re pencil and nothing else.
Oh, and I have not had the agency experience so I cannot comment on that. =)
I’ve been an in-house designer for the past two years now. There are parts that I enjoy and parts that I wish were different.
Like previous posters have said, the hours are good and the pay is stable, and for the most part you are able to get decent benefits. This is good, if you have a family to support, like I do. However, doing the same type of design work can get old.
Before my current in-house job, I worked as a designer/customer service rep for a commercial printing company. That was fun, because of the variety of things that you got to do, but on the other hand, I had to deal with the ‘general public’, which could be, ahem, not so fun - ha!.
I’ve never done agency/studio work before. I think I would like the variety of clients/projects, but I don’t think I would like the long hours.
I think I’m halfway between the agency and freelance: I used to work freelance in Leicestershire, but met my business partner (a developer, not a designer) at university, where we pooled our talents.
Since then, we’ve been a lot more stable (a pro of the agency), but we often work long hours (a con of agency)
Since we deal with a lot of smaller businesses, cash flow is still ‘interesting’ sometimes, especially whilst we wait for funding for projects through Business Link (con of freelance). On the plus side, we can pick and chose our clients (pro of freelance).
You got it more or less spot on as far as cons of working in-house. It really bites not having peers. The more or less lack of pressure isn’t too bad; and since this is a hospital there’s actually some good variety to be had.
Warren’s last blog post..Okay, so maybe I was wrong.
This is an interesting post, and some great comments too!
I thought I would enjoy freelancing the most (once I graduate), but I enjoy working with people, bouncing ideas and such… So maybe an agency would suit me the best?
In some cities there are these shared offices for freelancers, where they get to work in a creative environment. Maybe that’s the best of two worlds?
Eivind’s last blog post..Typographic exercise: using type to express words
Well I am a freelancer and I agree with you on the pros and cons. I think the most ‘con’ would be the fact you have to have so many hats and the business side of things is not something you always want to do. Nice photos too!
Jacob Cass’s last blog post..Top 7 Fonts Used By Professionals In Graphic Design
Yep, that’s the one, Lauren.
You’re spot on about how helpful bouncing ideas off one another can be. It was more difficult when I first started out, but now, if I’m in need of any second opinions, I know a lot of excellent designers who will kindly offer advice.
David Airey’s last blog post..Your questions answered #4
Yes, there’s certainly a little more security in being in-house—though not much. In fact, being freelance can be the more financially secure option, as one’s eggs are in numerous baskets.
Personally, I can’t imagine working in-house again. Having enjoyed the freedom that comes with “working for myself”, I don’t think I’d have the patience to work for someone else; and I hate all the politicking that comes with being employed.
Oh, and I get to work in my underpants—not always, of course. But it’s nice to know one has that option
johno’s last blog post..Sunday Type: czech type
I’ve done all 3 and by far I enjoyed the agency work the most. However, my current position is a mix of in-house and agency and really awesome. I run my department, I have 3 additional designers under me, and I get to set up my budget each year (training, computers, software, technology, conferences, etc.). I’m extremely lucky and wouldn’t go back to strictly agency unless paid a much larger amount of money.
I do sometimes tire of the same client, but I’m lucky that my company is made up of 39 diverse industries and therefore I do get to mix it up in that sense.
Freelance was far too stressful for me. All the additional considerations just made it too much of a burden — I just don’t have the heart for it and it’s never been my end goal. I’ve always wanted to work in-house.
I’ve done all three. Enjoyed all the environments. Right now I’m working in-house.
I think depending on where you’re in life, different settings offer different benefits.
When I was younger, I loved freelancing the most. Right now I’m supporting a family, therefore I prefer the stability. There are other creative outlets for me to do on my own time, to offset the boredom at work. Plus I get to spend more time with the family on a more regular basis.
Jin’s last blog post..Findings 9.19.08
Wow, thanks for all your feedback, guys (and gals)!
Gareth,
I would say about half the stuff I do as an in-house designer is pretty much the same, and there is a lot of “production” work because we get some people who think they know what’s best from a design standpoint and just need someone with the skills to work in the programs. That’s pretty frustrating. The other half—at least at my work—is different because we are doing artwork for various conventions and conferences and they all have a new theme every year. That’s the fun stuff! It’s a wide variety of work, too, from name badges to large format banners to 60 page ad books and brochures.
Thaddeus,
That’s a good point about the taxes. With what little freelance my husband and I do, we have to pay a ton of tax on it! And there are penalties if you don’t pay it enough in advance and wait until the end of the year when filing taxes.
Melanie,
Seems there are a lot of us in-housers! Those reasons you mentioned are why in-house appealed to me too (hate finding out later that my hours are not as stable as I was lead to believe!). I’m sure there are agencies out there—I know of at least one—that do not require long hours.
Richard,
Sounds like a sweet little setup you have going with your programmer friend! Do you like your situation?
Warren,
Yeah, for most freelancers, I think they would have the time and ability to at least get input from others online, like in forums or on their blogs. But for those of us in-house that have super strict corporations, sometimes those options online are blocked!
Eivind,
I’ve heard of shared office space where freelancers from all sorts of creative fields get together to work on stuff and bounce ideas. That does sound like it would be great!
Jacob,
The business side of freelancing is not something I enjoy, which might be a benefit of an agency? At least a small one where you have more input on which jobs are taken, so as to control the amount of time you spend at the office.
David,
Great that you have trusted colleagues (online or off?) that can give advice and a different eye. That helps so much!
Johno,
I guess the stability depends on what kind of company you work for, often the art dept is the first to go when layoffs come around! Wow… I don’t think I would have ever guessed you’re last comment there… hmmm.
Jesica,
Thanks for your insight! Your position sounds like a fun mix and how nice that you have a few other designers to have creative sessions with! Do you still get to do enough original creative for your liking?
Jin,
Thank you for your insight, too! I’m glad to get a few comments here that have done all three. Seems everyone doesn’t like agency so much because of the awful hours. But perhaps it’s good for the first few years to gain a ton of experience in a short amount of time?
Lauren,
I have a lot of creative freedom and in the two years we’ll be going through a complete rebrand — which will be awesome. We are in great need of it.
I also still do some freelance work on the side and that’s creatively fulfilling.
Jesica,
Hey, that is awesome! It can be intimidating, though. I would love to have you write up some pointers for doing a rebrand for Creative Curio if you’re interested! It doesn’t have to be long, maybe just 6 tips or something like that. Email me if you’re interested!
Lauren,
Wow, that’s a really nice offer! I’m not sure I’m an expert though as this would be my first time implementing a company wide re-brand. But, I’d be happy to pass along what I’m learning in the process. Could we discuss it via email?
Jesica,
*shrug* Eh, none of us are experts… we just know some things that others don’t and it’s great when we share what we’ve learned. I sent you an email last night!
I have freelanced for 4 years and have found the best way to continue to work is by diversifying your product offerings. I outsource many services and therefore become a one-stop shop for my clients. For example, I offer clients the opportunity to get the work I have done for them printed on canvas. I simply upload my files to http://www.CanvasPress.com and enter the client’s address. The stretched canvases are sent directly to the client and I can charge them the price I would like to set. This way you not only offer clients letter heads, logos, and Web design but also pictures for their office walls. Adding reasons for clients to use your services keeps them coming back to you and can be very lucrative.
Carmen,
Thanks for the link! It reminds me of something I just read on IllustrationClass.com on preparing your vector artwork for fine art printing.
I’ve been an in-house designer for 10 years. You’re spot-on about the pros. Cons too. To keep sharp I freelance. It’s the only way I’ve found that helps.
To keep things interesting in our company, our design team regularly creates comps and mockups of projects we’d like to work on (and that we think will benefit the company). So, in a sense, we get to decide what we work on. We still do a LOT of production and rehashing of the same stuff over and over again, but if we’re seeking a new challenge we try to find a company goal we can combine w/ a design thing we’d like to try.
Being an in-house team, we don’t get to work on all of our wacky ideas, but sometimes we find them coming back (sometimes years later).
Anthony Morales´s last blog post: inhousedesigner: Some good perspectives on in-house vs. agency vs. freelance: http://is.gd/3MFF
Anthony,
Thank you so much for your comment! You’ve definitely added value to this post. It’s great that you guys have time to work on your own projects that help the company at the same time. And thanks for the Tweet! I really enjoyed reading the Tweet you made on Shawn Blanc’s take on in-house design, so thanks for introducing me to that, too!
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