Pros & cons of being a copywriter at a design studio rather than an ad agency?

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Con: Never knowing whether you’re spelling palette correctly

Pro: no one caring

likefunny

Pro: They'll ask you for copy. You'll get to go off on your own and deliver. Con: You'll sit by yourself, writing copy for designers who don't care for ideas, language or your craft. (Sure, exceptions do exist.)

likehelpful

Spent 5 years at a design-heavy shop.

CONS:
• Projects kicked off with "creative" (design) long before copy. Even if it's copy-heavy.

• Everything, even copy, is overseen by designers promoted to Art Director.

• Very little concern for content or concept. Your copy WILL be cut to make room for design.

• Ideas are not king.

= = = = = = =

PROS:
• Great designers can make bad ideas look good.

• You'll get to touch many projects.

• Great way to learn what good design is and what it can do.

• Free agency swag that's designed well and you'll actually want to wear.

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I've been at one since late last year. They've actualy started branching out into ad work simply because I'm there. The design work is fun enough, but copy definitely takes a back seat to design. With the ad work however, everyone listens to me because they've never done anything like it before. I get to do whatever I want and propose crazy fun stuff and they'll get totally excited and on board from the get go. Just anecdotally, design folk also seem to be a bit more down to earth than ad folk and everyone's out of the studio by 6pm at the latest. The only real con is that I have nobody to learn from but for now at least, the freedom to figure thibgs out for myself is very much worth it.

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I think maybe there are exceptions @ACD1 but I’m at a small design studio now and we only have one copywriter. We do care for their ideas and craft, and vice versa. If you find the right place OP it can be a super positive and collaborative environment. 😊 It’s more about the culture of that specific place than the difference of agency vs. design studio as a whole.

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The writing team will probably be much smaller but you’ll have opportunities to work on a lot more stuff because of it. I started at one and stayed for four years. Now I’m at a big agency in Montreal and loving it.

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@SC2 nailed it. Although I will say the top design shops, like Nelson Cash or a Pentagram or a Sagmeister seem to care about ideas and presentation.

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Pro: you can write anything you want as a ’copy’ Cons: you can write anything you want as a ’copy’. No progress.

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^^ CW 1 makes good points. Designers are way more down you earth and I was home by 630 most days.

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I can’t believe someone just mentioned Nelson Cash on here @ACD1! Love those guys.

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Don’t do it, not as a jr

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