Envision this scenario: The path ahead diverges into three directions, and a decision awaits.
Down the first path lies an agency. Down the second path leads to an in-house position. And finally, down the third path, shrouded in heavy fog and overgrown bushes, is freelancing.
However, it is advisable to defer exploring this mysterious third path until later in your career, as freelancing demands a specific set of skills acquired over a long career. Venturing into it prematurely might expose you to unforeseen challenges akin to encountering zombies or werewolves. Thus, freelancing is currently not the recommended choice.
But you still have two viable choices: One is to work for a UX agency, and the second is to get hired as an in-house designer for a business. Which option makes the most sense for you?
Let’s delve into the pros and cons of each.
1. Working at a UX Agency
Embarking on your journey as a UX designer finds no better starting point than with a UX agency. These agencies offer a consistent flow of work across diverse industries. However, agency life may not be a perfect fit for every UX designer.
The Benefits of Working at a UX Agency
- Variety of Projects: If the idea of working on something new every few weeks excites you, agency life is a perfect match. Clients change constantly, exposing you to different companies and their unique approaches. This variety is particularly prominent in smaller agencies, where you wear multiple hats, ensuring an engaging work life.
- Work With Multiple Industries: Working across various industries allows you to discover and align with a sector that resonates with your interests.
- Become Jack of All Trades: Agency work involves multitasking across various tasks, enhancing your skill set and making you more marketable. However, mastering a specific skill may take a backseat to breadth of experience.
- Team Support: As a new UX designer, guidance is crucial. Working at an agency provides an environment surrounded by experienced UX designers who can offer valuable mentorship.
- A Course in the Art of Pitching: Agencies often require designers to pitch ideas to clients, honing your storytelling and persuasion skills—a valuable asset for future freelancing endeavours.
- Exposure to New Tools and Processes: Agency life liberates you from sticking to a single methodology. You'll likely use various tools based on job requirements or client preferences, enhancing your knowledge for future career growth.
- Build Your Portfolio: The multitude of projects at an agency allows you to rapidly build a diverse portfolio, showcasing a range of skills and experiences.
Considerations Before Applying to a UX Agency
- Easy to Burnout: The continuous influx of projects may lead to burnout, necessitating frequent breaks for creative rejuvenation.
- Can't See the Rest of the Project: Designers at agencies might only contribute to a small part of a project, potentially missing the overall impact of their work.
- Less Earning Potential: While agencies charge more for their services, individual designers may receive a smaller share due to the larger design team.
- Constantly Working Towards a Deadline: Meeting demanding client expectations and constant deadline pressure can contribute to adrenal fatigue.
- Dealing With Difficult Clients: Client-facing roles expose designers to a variety of clients, including challenging ones. Diplomacy becomes crucial in navigating such situations.
Is a UX Agency the Right Choice for Your Career?
UX agencies are ideal for emerging designers with small portfolios and grand ambitions. Seeking a position at an agency allows you to learn from experienced creatives, fostering growth in a dynamic environment.
2. Working as an In-House UX Designer
The significant difference between in-house and agency roles can be summed up in one word: Depth.
The Benefits of Working as an In-House UX Designer
- Control: In-house designers often enjoy substantial control over the product, influencing decisions and outcomes.
- Deeply Understand a Product: Immersion in a single product enables designers to comprehend every facet, from user interactions to product intricacies.
- Ownership: In-house designers develop a strong sense of ownership, being integral team members directly linked to the product's success.
- Ability to See a Product From Start to Finish: Witnessing a product evolve and improve over time, in-house designers experience a continuous cycle of enhancement.
- Specialisation: Focusing on a single product or set of skills, in-house designers become specialists, honing expertise in a specific area.
- Stability: In-house positions offer stability with a consistent salary, providing financial security compared to the fluctuating nature of agency work.
- More Time: In-house designers operate without stringent deadlines, allowing for a more relaxed pace and thorough exploration of solutions.
- Community and Cross-Collaboration: Collaboration within a single team fosters a sense of community, and cross-collaboration with various departments enhances communication skills and empathy.
- More Money: In-house designers often command higher salaries than their agency counterparts, contributing to overall financial well-being.
Considerations Before Applying to Work as an In-House UX Designer
- Office Politics: Interaction with multiple teams necessitates navigating office politics and diplomatically addressing misunderstandings about the role.
- Monotony: Immersion in a single project may lead to monotony for some designers who thrive on new challenges and diverse tasks.
- Maintenance Mode: In-house designers often find themselves maintaining existing products rather than creating new ones from scratch.
- May Get Overwhelmed: Ownership may lead to taking on too much, potentially overwhelming designers with excessive responsibilities.
- Easy to Burnout: The repetitive nature of tasks may contribute to burnout, demanding self-care measures to maintain creativity.
Final Thoughts
The choice between agency and in-house positions hinges on personal preferences, career goals, and professional journey stage. Junior designers thrive in the fast-paced agency environment, rapidly acquiring diverse skills. In contrast, mid- to senior-level designers may find greater fulfillment and achievement in-depth, focused work at in-house positions. Ultimately, the decision rests on individual aspirations, needs, and career progression.
