I’m a senior creative in-house at a tech company. The pay and hours are great, but the work itself isn’t all that exciting. I’ve been able to add a couple of book pieces but nothing that I’m really that proud of. I worry that this could come back to bite me. Is it worth sticking it out for stability or should I jump back into the wild agency side world to be more creative?

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Stay where you are. Holding Cos are eating themselves. Everyone is trying to bail and go brand-side. You’re already there though so kudos… Try to start landing freelance on the DL nights and weekends and build your book up

likesmart

Im also an inhouse Sr Cw and I cant imagine ever trying to go back agency side. None of the work is currently exciting over there either.

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Stick that shit out and collect your coin. Great work is overrated.

likesmart

Do one satisfying freelance creative project per quarter and enjoy your 401(k)

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Love this. I had a partner say his goal was to identify a project or two a year that was a creative opportunity and had a good shot at getting produced and give it everything you got. We’ve won awards as a team going up against big agencies. And still get to have dinner with our kids. It’s work, but you can make creative opportunities anywhere.

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I was freelancing for a bunch of tech companies and my book suffered. So I went agency side for less pay to build it up. But now the ad agency world is getting zapped. So, we’re all just waiting for what happens next. Hold the job. That’s what we’re all doing. I hope some of the best laid off people from the big ol boring shops will start the next great independent shops. Time will tell.

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Can I ask what’s your pay as a senior designer?

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I’d kill to be where you are

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stay

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Stay there. Agency world is a sh!t show. Look for other opportunities there or other projects you can get involved with. Or freelance for more creative opps.

This industry as we know it is in its twilight. Buckle down and save as much money as you can and invest it. Get your financial
House in order and get through the present by paying down all your debts (except mortgage) and build that invested freedom fund. People who are my age mostly are FAFO right now and are in a pretty bad spot (thought they were awesome, lived it up and saved very little). I have two people who I used to work with who always had the newest nicest shit, big house, big commute, and both of them have been unemployed for almost 2 years. One is very public about how dire their situation is (other parent is stay at home( and the other is probably scraping by. I’m good I gave up material comforts and “better creative work” a long time ago to prep for this. Stack that cash that’s the only important thing right now.

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