Freelance vs $120k?
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- randommail
pop quiz:
Take a $120K fulltime in-house job w/ the standard benefits.
Or continue doing freelance/own studio that fluctuates between 80-150K per year (has been like that for past 8 years)In-house job is art director role at a premium NY brand. I guess I could stay there for a few years. But then what? Am I stuck at in-house jobs from that point on?
Seriously, I'm stressing over this.
- vaxorcist0
.....personally, I'm in the "death before day job of working for somebody else forever" mindset, but maybe this is not for everyone....
Depends not so much on your ideas sometimes, but on the gig, i.e. will the in-house gig be cool for 6 months, then the ball and chain turns into the velvet coffin and you slowly rot for eternity? I say this because I've seen this happen to people I know...
the opposite is possible, but I think it depends on the people involved more than just the "contractual stuff"
- zarkonite0
If it allows you to make good work and you know how to sell yourself you won't be stuck as in-house cat for the rest of your life... but what JG_LB said is right on IMHO.
Take into account what you want out of life, and see which gig lets you get more of that.
- seansuth0
Ha, I literally just had this dilemma.
I took the in-house AD role with a substantially less salary but stock shares, full benefits, etc. I took it because there is more growth potential and I'll gain managerial experience, which freelancing does not offer.
Like JG_LB stated, weigh the options and figure out what's best for you longterm. Good luck.
- monospaced0
If you've been freelancing for 8 years a salary position looks good to anyone looking at your résumé in the future. Additionally, if you feel any sort of emotional attachment to the brand (the in-house job) or any sort of passion for what they do, I say go for it. In-house work is stable, less stressful, and can be quite fulfilling depending on what you make of it.
- _niko0
stay freelance. You can grow your studio, hire some people and don't look back. In house is in-house, growth is limited.
- monospaced0
I just attended the AIGA/NY IN-THE-HOUSE III lecture, which focuses on the design community of in-house designers, which happens to be the vast majority of designers in the city and country. The discussions focus on the differences between the two groups (agency vs. in-house) and really helped me, at least, feel more comfortable with my in-house position. Here's an archive of last year's event, I think the new one should be up soon. Anyway, there are resources for you if you need to research.
- ideaist0
Different strokes for different folks.
- randommail0
is it naive to think that I can have my cake and eat it too?
Could I take the in-house gig, but continue to try to grow my studio business? And go back to a more stable boutique studio business?
I'm sure this is what everyone thinks and says they'll do, but has anyone actually been able to do this?
I worry I'll be lulled into complacency.- I find that after a 40+ hr week in-house I don't want to do freelance, although there is certainly SOME time.monospaced
- instrmntl0
If you like and believe in the brand, go in-house. Otherwise you will hate it.
- exactly; I was saying something quite similarmonospaced
- word.instrmntl
- vaxorcist0
try to make sure you can interview EVERYONE who has authority over the graphical output of this company.... i.e. you may get along well with your immediate co-workers, but try hard to find out if there is a "vice president of stupid ideas and random roadblocks" ...
- utopian0
As long as it is not Facebook, you'll be okay!
- moldero0
think about freelance 80-150K
then move to a fat dirt cheap beach house in Mexico and wake up and laugh hysterically every day- Until the drug cartel finds out
that you are dirty American.utopian - but we are their best clientsmoldero
- i'm sure they are:)utopian
- HAHAHHAHAAHAcannonball1978
- "they" as in "me" because i don't remember my last showermoldero
- Until the drug cartel finds out
- fyoucher10
Another thing to factor in (if this pertains to you), is what niche you have. Is it going to be relevant in 4 - 5 years? If not, then growing with a company might be a good thing. If your niche becomes obsolete in a few years, then growing from AD>CD>ECD becomes part of your resume. You're experience will be based more on your pure CD skills should freelance fail and you actually have to move FT..
However, with your studio, it's likely you're probably really good at doing a specific thing if you're making six figures on your own. If your niche becomes obsolete in a few years, you'll probably be starting from the beginning, that niche probably won't have as much of importance as having actual AD/CD experience at an agency / major brand, and you probably won't be making as much as you do now.
Personally, I'd skip freelance if you're being offered $120k at a company. You have to also factor in other things like healthcare, vacay, 401k, etc. You have to pay for those on your own when you're freelancing. So you're probably making substantially less by going freelance. Plus, I know your situation all too well. I'm sure you're busting your ass 24/7 to make things happen on your own (I literally work from when I wake up until I fall asleep). It's probably not going to be like that FT job. You'll probably also have more free time. Plus it's nice working with more than a few people.
If you were making $250K+ on your own, then the opposite might be more favorable. Just my opinion though.
- randommail0
it's not so much about the money difference right now.
But what will my options be in 5 years when I turn 36. Or 10 years, 20 years from now, etc.
- rosem0
freelance. the thought of working in an office downtown for someone else is depressing to me.
- cannonball19780
How much does loosing control of your time cost?
- d_rek0
Only 4 more years until student loans are paid off. When that happens i'll probably seriously consider doing freelance / starting my own studio full-time.
- ohhhhhsnap0
Just answer this:
Will the additional $ make you happier?
If you do not have insurance/benefits now... it's the only reason why I would think of getting on board.
- + the mission/brand. do you LOVE it?ohhhhhsnap
- Insurance is ridiculous nowadays too. I pay $1600 a month for the family (and that's considered average).fyoucher1
- ooph!ohhhhhsnap