Working in a digital marketing agency is quite different than most of the design-related work I have done in the past. As I make my transition from a primarily freelance designer to full-time there are a couple of things that have made the change of pace less daunting.

Team Mentality

First and foremost, the atmosphere of working with like-minded coworkers has been a breath of fresh air, to say the least. As a freelancer, there would be days that I’d realize I hadn’t spoken to a single person the entire time – aside from emails. Being able to talk openly and bounce ideas off coworkers is one of my favorite aspects of working in an agency like Red Shark. An agency can be a very rewarding environment if you apply yourself and aren’t afraid to ask questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers.

Working With A Variety of Clients

One major benefit of working in an agency is the opportunity to work with multiple clients, most of which I wouldn’t have the chance to otherwise. A good variety of accounts is a great way to become a well-rounded designer. I am a firm believer that working hands-on is the best way to learn.

Along with working with some of the largest clients in the area, I am also surrounded by the most talented and experienced team members in my field. A huge plus for me is being able to talk face-to-face with my Art Director and problem-solve together. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes and opinion makes all the difference when you’ve racked your brain all day starring at the computer screen. The opportunity to be involved in more honest critiques and be provided with clear feedback leads to a higher level of inspiration for me, as well as effective direction.

New Design Tools & Strategies

Along with being able to work with some of the best creative minds in my field, another big takeaway for me is access to new tools and strategies. Every team works together differently and tends to get a feel for how one another works. This is a huge advantage when it comes to handling multiple clients day-in and day-out. Being able to divide a project into smaller tasks takes all the pressure off of one person and allows them to use their strong suit where it is most needed. For me, copywriting is one of the most intimidating parts of what we do. It is comforting to be able to focus on design, while not dreading having to double back and write copy that isn’t riddled with typos and grammar errors.

Setting goals is one way that I like to challenge and reward myself. As a freelancer, personal goals were easy to set and achieve for the most part. Being a member of a fast-developing team gives me the potential to set goals further out and give myself something to strive for and be proud of. It feels great to see the result of all your hard work pay off for the greater good of the agency, and ultimately our team as a whole.

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