Creative co. employing designers on freelance basis. Normal?
Discussion
I've been sniffing around for design opportunities at creative agencies. There's a good agency whose head office is in my nearest major city. I like the city, the company is well established and has offices worldwide - all-in-all it ticks all of the boxes for me.
But! The senior design roles are all on a freelance basis. What's that about? Are they just wanting to sidestep the rules that protect employees or is this normal in the industry? If I could be bothered with all the aggro of tax returns, etc. and the insecurity of being self-employed I'd have set up my own practice years ago, so I don't much fancy having to adopt that lifestyle just to get a 'job'.
Is there anyone here with a creative agency background who can comment?
But! The senior design roles are all on a freelance basis. What's that about? Are they just wanting to sidestep the rules that protect employees or is this normal in the industry? If I could be bothered with all the aggro of tax returns, etc. and the insecurity of being self-employed I'd have set up my own practice years ago, so I don't much fancy having to adopt that lifestyle just to get a 'job'.
Is there anyone here with a creative agency background who can comment?
I work in the creative industry have done for 25+ years - owning a specialist ad agency with a sister company being a graphic design outfit.
It is not unusual for agencies to use Freelancers from time to time - mainly to cover peaks in work or holidays, etc. It is not normal practice to have the entire creative team on a freelance contracts.
Most agencies sell their creative team as the heroes which you can't do if they're temporary.
I am aware that it's a trend that's growing though - particularly the very big global agencies of the type you mention. A lot of these had a lot of investment thrown at them 10 - 12 years ago on the basis of overinflated hourly rates - which can no longer be sustained.
It is not unusual for agencies to use Freelancers from time to time - mainly to cover peaks in work or holidays, etc. It is not normal practice to have the entire creative team on a freelance contracts.
Most agencies sell their creative team as the heroes which you can't do if they're temporary.
I am aware that it's a trend that's growing though - particularly the very big global agencies of the type you mention. A lot of these had a lot of investment thrown at them 10 - 12 years ago on the basis of overinflated hourly rates - which can no longer be sustained.
StevieBee said:
It is not normal practice to have the entire creative team on a freelance contracts.
Most agencies sell their creative team as the heroes which you can't do if they're temporary.
The ads I saw read like proper job adverts and implied continuous employment, but were titled as freelance, a bit like they wanted to employ the more expensive staff in a way that would make them easier to get rid of. Creative directors being more embedded in the company were, therefore, on the payroll, as were junior designers who were cheaper.Most agencies sell their creative team as the heroes which you can't do if they're temporary.
burriana said:
I have been in ad' land for over twenty years and yes, there are a lot of creatives who are freelance, but not usually the senior ones. As Steve says, the senior creatives are usually the agency's prime resource.
I've spent the last 15+ years on the in-house design team of my employer, working collaboratively with the marketing team to produce promotional material. I always fancied getting into 'ad land' though. Best keep my eyes peeled and hopefully something at the right level will crop up in the Leeds area that's on an 'employed' basis.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff