In-House VS Agency Design Teams: Pros & Cons
17th May 2023
With myself (Caz) and Jon having worked in-house and in agency design teams, we thought we’d examine both their pros and cons. Through a casual chat, we divulged what we experienced in each area and what we enjoyed the most!
In-House
When you work in an in-house team, there’s a sense of urgency when designing, particularly around the company’s peak period, since money is the top priority. Getting a customer to convert and purchase the product was the main focus, even at the cost of design and functionality.
As an internal designer, you really grasp the brand, direction and clientele, meaning designs are easier to produce. With both our previous businesses, we had the pleasure of working with several brands within the company. This allowed us to have some variation in terms of designs and work.
However, despite this, we still felt stifled creatively, and the fast pace of the work meant that the designs lacked depth as we lacked time to think and develop them further.
Agency
The switch to an agency was a welcome addition for both of us as we were able to be more creative. Because clients trust our thought processes, it allows us more time to add depth and meaning to our designs.
Likewise, with branding projects, we see the brand from inception to launch, and we may understand the brand better than the internal team.
We can switch between several projects a day, meaning no two days are the same! It also means we can see projects with a fresh pair of eyes, something that internal teams struggle with.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the nitty gritty comes down to costs. Internal teams save companies money and can push through projects quickly if it’s within the team’s tool sets.
However, when the project stretches the in-house team, that’s when the agency design team thrives.
With a bigger budget and more time, the agency side can create an outcome that fits the brief better and benefits the company – more than if it was completed internally to a different standard. This is what makes it a more valuable investment.
Personally, I enjoy the agency side way more, as the freedom to be completely creative is more suited to my design process.
Even if the client then chooses a more subtle design, at least I can try out some funky, out-there versions!
We are a design agency, based between Bristol and Bath, passionate about delivering meaningful & lasting results. To find out more about how to contact us, click here.
