In-house Survival Guide

Are you left out of strategic planning sessions? Here’s how to get a seat at the table

IN-HOUSE designers generally fall into two distinct camps: those who enjoy a wonderful relationship with their firm and are given creative and strategic control over communications initiatives to build and support the parent brand and those who, well, don’t.

Working creatively in a corporate structure can be like working in a foreign country. Surrounded by people who don’t speak the language of design or understand how designers think, creatives are often singled out as those people with the fancy flat screens, dark circles under their eyes and Elvis bobble-heads. But wouldn’t you like to be recognized for your contribution to the company’s bottom line rather than your creative workspace?

Managing Matters

Retain top talent by investing time in your staff: listen, support, encourage and share

IF YOU think that the creative director is the most influential person on the design team, think again. The individual that has the most impact on your team — and your team’s ability to generate engaging design solutions for clients — is the design manager.