Making the jump from an agency or freelance role to an in-house creative position can feel like a big decision. I know this firsthand because I almost didn’t take the leap myself.
When I was first offered an in-house freelance role with Canva, I was reluctant. I thought that moving 'client-side,' so to speak, wouldn't be the right move for me creatively. I worried it'd box me in, limit the variety of work, and potentially slow down my career growth.
But the offer of a daily free lunch, on top of a decent day rate, was enough to get me in the door. Three weeks later, I was offered a permanent position. And almost five years on, I’ve come to appreciate the unique rewards and challenges of working in-house. So if you're thinking of making the move in-house, I’ve outlined some top-level pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you.
The Pros
You can fully immerse yourself in the brand
Working in-house allows you to live and breathe the brand every day (the photo above speaks for itself). You become part of its DNA, which helps you craft creative that truly reflects its voice and values. This immersion gives you a nuanced understanding of what makes the brand tick. Instead of juggling multiple clients, you focus entirely on refining and championing your brand's vision, making your work feel more cohesive and strategic.
A wider range of collaboration
In-house roles often involve working with other departments, such as product, sales, and specialized marketing teams. You get to know your teammates’ strengths and can play to those. This overall business exposure gives you a holistic view and a chance to see how your work makes a direct impact.
Building expertise and muscle memory
Focusing solely on one brand helps you develop a deep understanding of its tone, style, and audience. Writing and designing become second nature, saving you time and effort. After months of working with the same brand, you instinctively know how to tweak work to align perfectly with its identity - no need to keep referencing brand guidelines or style guides.
Greater ownership of projects
In-house roles allow you to see projects through from start to finish. From the initial strategy to the final launch, you’re involved every step of the way. There might also be a chance to come up with a creative platform that you can continue to build on over the years. This level of ownership is incredibly satisfying, giving you a unique sense of accomplishment that’s often harder to find in agency life.
Shaping the brand long-term
Unlike one-off projects, in-house work lets you contribute to the brand’s evolution over time. Your efforts leave a lasting impact, shaping how the brand grows and is perceived in the market. You also have more freedom to suggest ideas or try new channels, giving you the chance to influence the overall direction.
Better work/life balance
In-house roles often come with a steadier pace and perks that make day-to-day work more enjoyable. You’ll rarely find yourself working late nights or weekends. Plus, tech companies like Canva often offer free meals, shares in the business, incredible company events like launch parties, and travel opportunities - all of which add excitement to your routine. It's worth digging into what a company offers in terms of perks. Long gone are my days of waiting for crusty leftover sandwiches to emerge from a meeting room.
The Cons
Limited variety of work
In-house roles focus on one product or service, which can limit your opportunities to flex different creative muscles. If you’re used to jumping between industries or clients, the narrower scope of work might feel less stimulating. You may also notice a slower output of portfolio-worthy work, as in-house projects tend to have longer cycles.
Slower evolution
Strategic shifts and bold creative ideas often take longer to implement in-house, as changes require alignment across teams and layers of approval. While this slower pace ensures consistency, it can feel less agile than agency work.
Staying on top of industry trends is harder
In-house roles tend to focus heavily on one industry, which can make it challenging to stay connected with broader creative trends. In an agency, you’re exposed to what your network and competitors are producing on an almost daily basis. In-house, you need to be much more proactive to keep up with what's happening in the wider creative world.
Feedback lacks variety
Your main source of feedback will come from internal teams, which may limit the diversity of perspectives you’re exposed to. While cross-functional teams provide valuable insights, they don’t always challenge you creatively in the same way external clients or agency peers might.
Is the Switch Right for You?
Ultimately, the decision depends on what you want from your career. If you thrive on variety, fast-paced environments, and diverse feedback, an agency or freelance role might suit you better. But if you’re ready to dig deep, hone your expertise, and leave a lasting mark on one brand, an in-house role can be incredibly fulfilling.
For me, the switch has been transformative. I’ve grown in ways I never expected, gaining insight into the inner workings of the 'client’s' world and building creative relationships that have spanned years instead of weeks. If you’re considering making the leap, my advice is to give it a shot - you might just find it’s the move your career needs.
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