There are many employment options available to graphic designers. Design agencies are hired by outside clients for creative projects, while in-house designers are employed by an established organization or brand. Freelance graphic designers are self-employed and responsible for all aspects of their business.
Which option is best for you? This infographic can help you decide.
Overview
Information in the Design Employment infographic was gleaned from learning materials presented in week three of the Organizational Structures course. This week we learned about the different employment options for designers, from freelance to in-house and agency work. Flavin (2017) discussed the benefits and drawbacks of each option, noting that it’s important for a designer to “find the perfect work environment to cultivate your creativity”.
In-house designers know a brand intimately by working with it day after day and enjoy a steady paycheck. However, this can lead to monotony and creative stagnation. Most of my experience is with in-house design, often as a one-man team responsible for everything from copy writing to web design. Depending on the employer and how closely you align with their values, working in-house can be a joy or a nightmare. Björk (2010) notes many ins (upsides) and outs (downsides) of working in-house. The most important to me is the stability of a regular paycheck, especially now that I have a wife and child.
Working at a design agency is a great way to learn and gain experience with other design professionals. The fast-paced and demanding schedule drives creativity, but there is less job security as clients come and go. Working with other creative thinkers is one of my favorite aspects of film production, and I would love to work at an established design agency.
Freelance designers enjoy the freedom to work when and where they please but have added responsibility of managing a business, from bookkeeping to office supplies. It’s important to have enough clients and financial stability before trying to go freelance. There are many downsides to freelancing: constantly looking for work, no co-workers for critiques, and unreliable pay just to name a few. Offering freelance services to a design agency can be an ideal situation. Rassom (2011) lists five things an agency looks for when hiring freelancers:
- Creativity that goes beyond technical skills.
- Experience that shows you’re reliable.
- Time to finish a project on schedule.
- Rates that reflect what you’re worth.
- Communication skills and availability.
Since graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design, I’ve worked in a wide variety of design and entertainment jobs. The timeline below demonstrates just how long a journey it has been.
Acquired Competencies
The following are concepts, skills, or new resources learned in the third week of the Organizational Structures course. They are categorized as Academic (pertaining to school work) or Occupational (pertaining to work in the Media Design field), and Technical (pertaining to software or other design skills) or Conceptual (new terminology, procedures, or ideas).
Academic
| Technical | Conceptual |
| A creative portfolio is not about showing 20 decent pieces, it’s about showing 5 great pieces. BENSOUND is an excellent resource to find royalty-free music for motion graphics and video presentations. AIGA: the professional association for design offers resources for students and professional designers. | Designs can be “hacked” by repurposing existing images and ideas. Communication skills and availability are essential for freelancers. Mentors can often be found at design agencies. |
Occupational
| Technical | Conceptual |
| It’s important to be aware of current design trends and knowledgeable of graphic design from the past. Lumetri Color panel allows for easy color grading within Adobe Premiere. Essential Sound panel lets you improve sound quality within Adobe Premiere. | In-house designers must be proactive, otherwise they are just following orders. The primary role of in-house designers is explaining the brand to consumers. Freelance designers can often pick up jobs from overloaded design agencies. |
References:
Björk, J. (2010, March 12). The Ins and Outs of Working In-house. AIGA. Retrieved from https://www.aiga.org/ins-and-outs-of-working-inhouse
Flavin, B. (2017, July 24)/ Where Do Graphic Designers Work? In-House vs. Agency vs. Freelance. Retrieved from https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/design/blog/where-do-graphic-designers-work/
Rassom, B. (2011, July 18). 5 Things a Design Agency Looks for when Hiring Freelancers. Retrieved from https://millo.co/design-agency-looking-to-hire-freelance-designer
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