Design Divides
- Started
- Last post
- 18 Responses
- rosecs
Why does it seem that agencies view in-house design experience as less "legit" than agency experience? And digital agencies don't want designers with print experience and vice versa. Aren't we supposed to be creative enough to look past these "divisions"?
- brandelec0
1. in-house experience is often limited to one brand
2. digital agencies would want to hire someone with digital experience
3. work will speak for itself in some cases
- ********0
thread closed.
- RIZ0
Yup. You got your answer right thurr.
- akrok0
i have heard that if you get a pharma gig, it's hard to change track.
- tOki0
Creativity has nothing to do with it. Knowledge and skill in the area you are working in are what count.
Which is why a digital agency will stick its nose up at a print designer who thinks they can just walk in and get a job - being one or other other does NOT qualify you to be the other.
There is also a culture that working inhouse for a marketing department is a soft option that a lot of noobs go to because they couldn't get a "real" job in agency land. This goes for marketing types especially :P lol
I know that most inhouse designers I have to deal with are worse than most of the designers I deal with from other agencies...
- I've worked with great inhouse designers and shit agency designers. It works both ways.Amicus
- Miguex0
"And digital agencies don't want designers with print experience "
...................................
I'm sorry, I would imagine that this is incorrect.
I think print experience (and education) is essential to become a good graphic designer, period.
I believe that while there are some exceptions, you can tell when a site was developed by someone with print experience, because of how the content was organized, the use of grid, etc.I mean you still want someone that has the experience required to build a site if that's what you will be doing mostly, but I would hire someone with experience in both areas over someone that has only on-line experience, and I doubt someone gets rejected for having experience in more than 1 area, unless he/she is over qualified for the position and I can't afford to hire him/ her
- Miguex0
And regarding the whole deal of in-house vs agency, that depends on what in-house team we are talking about.
I can guarantee that nearly every agency drools over what the in-house team of starbucks does.
- Miguex0
In the end, good branding is good branding, no matter the medium or who's behind it, in house or agency. There's good and crappy agencies and design teams, the work will do the talking.
- NaN0
you wouldn't want an auto mechanic working on your motorcycle. some situations require a specialist while others more a generalist, or someone with broader skill sets
- akrok0
i think it all deepens of the person.
some are really boxed in, meanwhile others aren't.
some uses terms like rock stars, make it pop, etc. meanwhile others fix the kerning.design it self has no divides, people do.
- Miguex0
http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/…"From napkins to paper cups, in-store posters to annual reports, t-shirt designs to in-store architecture – the Starbucks Creative Group tells the story of Starbucks in such a way that deserves more recognition than they receive internally or externally.
Well ... in their October 2004 issue, HOW design magazine has recognized the Starbucks Creative Group with their In-House Design Group of the Year Award."- in regards to the comment about agencies looking down at in-house design teamsMiguex
- akrok0
i would say, in-house is harder to find. then a agency.
- mydo0
Reason 1. Accountability. If the decision is made to do something in house and it doesn't go well. management are in trouble. if it's given to an agency with relevant experience and portfolio, if it doesn't go well, it's not their fault.
Reason 2. In house designers tend not to have a creative director to be objective about the designers designs and steer it in the right direction, maybe something new.
- mydo0
and if it is something new.... see reason 1.
- wordssssss0
any studio worth their weight wants someone who is good.
print web whatever. You may not come in at the same level, but thats something to deal with in your development as a professional.
- monkeyshine0
When I worked in an agency setting, I'd look past an in-house designer resume unless the work showed conceptual prowess and breadth in style. And if I liked their design I'd need to know that they could keep pace with agency deadlines...can they turn around concepts for 3 different clients in a week? I've seen many designers who are not used to that world implode with stress.
- lol 3 clients, i have at least 5 on the run at any time :(tOki
