Making The Call: Agency vs In-house Design Careers

At some point in your career, you’ll face a choice: agency or in-house? Here’s what I’ve learned from my time in both.

Caught in the decision-making dilemma of your next career move? Can’t decide between an agency gig or an in-house role? Having seen both sides (typically I’m an agency designer but recently have done a 9-month startup role) here are my learnings from both.

The Pace: Same Beat, Different Rhythm

Regardless of your choice, be prepared for a quick tempo — but the melody varies.

In an agency, clients often pour significant funding into a project, expecting a team to deliver rapidly. In-house, particularly in a startup, speed is crucial to outpace competitors and satisfy investors. However, agencies offer natural breaks between projects and a changing roster of clients, providing a touch of variety.

Question your own work rhythm: Are you someone who needs a new challenge every six months? Perhaps contracting or agency work might be more appealing to you.

Versatility: Juggling Hats or Specialising

How many roles are you ready to play? Your environment will probably decide for you.

In a startup, you’ll shift from UX design today to investor presentations tomorrow. Particularly in early-stage startups, you might be the lone designer doing it all. Agencies, however, often channel you into projects that align with your expertise.

Do you want to grow across different skills or focus on one? Then the multifaceted nature of startups might be right for you, but be warned, you could end up with a hat you didn’t want to wear.

Depth Over Breadth: A Common Myth

Challenging the stereotype — agency designers can dig deep when allowed.

There’s a notion that agency designers can’t go as deep into projects as their in-house counterparts due to shorter timelines and focus on quick delivery. I get the sentiment, but from experience, I know agency work can be as in-depth, provided there’s time and budget.

Be prepared for this bias if you’re contemplating the agency-to-in-house leap. Prep your portfolio to ensure you’ve covered problems deeply.

Ultimately, your next move should bring you professional happiness and personal fulfilment.

In my journey, whether it was agency or in-house, what mattered most was finding a role that aligned with my need for pace, diversity, and depth.

Switching between in-house and agency isn’t some irreversible life choice; it’s more like a career experiment. We often put unnecessary weight on our next job move, as if it’s make or break. But guess what? If you don’t vibe with your choice, switching back is always on the table. Plus, a bit of job hopping between sectors can spice up your CV and portfolio, showcasing you as a more versatile player in the design game. No harm done to your career progression — just more experience under your belt.

Have you worked both in-house and agency? What’s your preference? Let me know!

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