The big switch - from agency to corporate

Biggest differences in short

These are the biggest differences between agency and corporate life I’ve spotted. I will explain why.

Agency Life:

• Fast-paced work environment with tight deadlines
• Working with a diverse range of clients from different industries
• Emphasis on visual design and creativity
• Limited budgets for projects
• Small(er) design teams

Corporate Life:

• Slower pace of work with larger and more complex projects
• Emphasis on maintaining a consistent visual language across products and platforms (design system)
• Greater resources and budgets for projects
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation

Agency Life: The Fast-Paced World of Client Work

The past 10 years I’ve worked at design agencies where I worked with a diverse range of projects, different industries and design styles. From a learning platform for students to a bicycle company or a hotel branch. You name it!

The fast-paced world of agency life meant that I had to adapt quickly to each client’s needs and work efficiently to meet tight deadlines. Communication and collaboration were key, as I worked within a team of designers, project managers and clients to bring each project to life. One of the biggest challenges of agency life was managing client expectations. Each client had a unique vision and set of requirements, and it was my job to understand their needs and deliver designs that met their expectations. I learned how to ask the right questions, manage feedback and present concepts and designs effectively to clients.

Corporate Life: Designing for a Large Organisation

After 10 years of agency life, I felt it was time for something new. I got curious by working within a large design team (90+) for a platform with more than 1.5 million users per day and decided to join the Design Chapter of Rabobank.

One of the biggest differences is the focus on user experience (UX) design and research. While visual design is still important, UX takes centre stage as we aim to design products that meet user needs and expectations and create a delightful experience.

Another difference is the emphasis on design systems and consistency. As a designer at a large organisation, it’s important to maintain a consistent visual language across all products and platforms. We work closely with other designers and stakeholders to create and maintain design guidelines, components and patterns that ensure a cohesive and recognisable user experience.

But what’s most intriguing is the opportunity to drive meaningful change on a grand scale, even if it unfolds at a slower pace. This is how:

• The ‘Understand phase’ is essential: In a large organization like Rabobank, a successful transformation starts with thorough research, planning, and engaging stakeholders across levels. While it may seem slow, this groundwork ensures both effectiveness and sustainability.
• Stakeholder management: Getting things done involves convincing diverse teams to embrace new ideas. This process, which includes discussions, presentations, and data-driven arguments, takes time but is essential to get support.
• Measuring Impact: Managing significant change requires comprehensive data collection and analysis in a large organization. This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making.

On The Other Side

The switch from agency life to corporate life has not been without its challenges, but it has been a rewarding journey. This journey already taught me new skills, exposed me to new design challenges and helped me grow as a person.

Also, having experienced both working internally and externally at a large organisation now, gave me some surprising insights. As an external designer at a company, I felt more focused on fulfilling the specific job I was hired for. As an internal employee, I feel that I have the freedom to explore any topic that seem interesting to me and feel the responsibility to take on a challenge even if it’s not in my scope.

So, with that mind, whether you’re a designer just starting out or considering a career change, I hope you got inspired by my experiences on both sides.