When pursuing a career in product design, one of the key decisions you’ll face is whether to work as a freelancer or in-house at a company. Both options offer unique advantages and challenges. Your choice will influence your work-life balance, financial stability, opportunities for growth, and how you engage with the design process. Understanding the pros and cons of each path is crucial to making an informed decision that aligns with your career goals and lifestyle preferences.
Freelance Product Design
Freelance product design involves working independently with various clients, often on a project basis. As a freelancer, you have more control over your schedule, the type of work you take on, and the clients you work with.
Pros of Freelance Product Design
- Flexibility: Freelancers have complete control over their schedules, allowing for a better work-life balance. You can decide when, where, and how much to work, giving you the freedom to pursue personal interests or other professional endeavors.
- Diverse Projects: Freelancers often work with a variety of clients from different industries, providing exposure to a range of design challenges and creative opportunities. This diversity can help you build a versatile portfolio and develop a broad skill set.
- Autonomy: Freelancers make their own decisions about how they work, including choosing the tools, processes, and design strategies they prefer. This independence can be empowering for those who enjoy being their own boss.
- Earning Potential: With the right clients and projects, freelancers have the potential to earn more money than in-house designers. They can set their own rates, and the more projects they take on, the more they can earn.
How to do it:
- Build a strong network to attract clients, leverage platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or engage in direct outreach to potential clients.
- Continuously refine your portfolio and marketing strategy to showcase your work and attract high-paying, reputable clients.
Cons of Freelance Product Design
- Uncertainty: Freelancers face income instability, as work is project-based. There may be periods without projects, making it challenging to predict monthly earnings.
- Lack of Team Support: Working alone means that freelancers miss out on collaboration with other design professionals, which can hinder skill development and the sharing of ideas. They also need to be self-sufficient in managing all aspects of their business.
- Administrative Burden: Freelancers must handle not only design work but also client communications, contracts, invoicing, and taxes. This can be time-consuming and take away from creative work.
- Limited Benefits: Freelancers typically don’t receive the benefits that in-house employees do, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off.
Key questions to ask:
- Am I comfortable with the financial uncertainty that comes with freelancing?
- Do I have the self-discipline to manage my business, clients, and workload independently?
- How well do I handle the administrative side of freelancing, such as contracts, taxes, and billing?
In-House Product Design
In-house product design refers to working as a full-time employee for a single company, where you’ll focus on designing products for that company’s customers. In-house designers collaborate closely with other departments, including product management, marketing, and engineering teams.
Pros of In-House Product Design
- Stability: In-house positions provide a steady income with predictable work hours and financial benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. This stability can offer peace of mind and reduce stress.
- Collaboration: Working within a company allows for deep collaboration with other team members, such as engineers, product managers, and marketers. This teamwork can lead to more robust design solutions and personal growth through shared expertise.
- Career Development: Many in-house roles provide opportunities for mentorship, training, and career advancement. You’ll have more access to resources and support for your professional growth, including performance reviews, skill development programs, and potential leadership roles.
- Focused Work: As an in-house designer, you typically work on fewer projects at a time, allowing you to dive deeper into each one. This can lead to a more cohesive and refined product design process.
How to do it:
- Apply for in-house roles at companies that align with your interests or values. Make sure to tailor your portfolio to the company’s needs and culture.
- Engage with the team, attend internal workshops, and continuously work on expanding your knowledge and skills within the company.
Cons of In-House Product Design
- Less Flexibility: In-house roles often come with rigid work schedules, less control over your workload, and limited freedom in choosing the types of projects you work on. You may need to adhere to the company’s processes and priorities.
- Narrower Scope of Work: In-house designers typically focus on one company’s products, which can limit the variety of challenges you encounter. Over time, this could feel repetitive or less exciting compared to the variety of projects freelancers experience.
- Limited Autonomy: As an in-house designer, your work is often part of a larger process that includes stakeholder input, approval cycles, and company goals. While collaboration is beneficial, it can sometimes mean less control over the design direction.
- Company Politics: In-house designers are subject to the company’s internal politics and organizational dynamics. This can affect decision-making, timelines, and the overall design process.
Key questions to ask:
- Am I comfortable working within a set schedule and following a company’s procedures and priorities?
- How important is career stability and development to me in comparison to flexibility and variety?
- Do I enjoy working as part of a team and collaborating on long-term product development?
Comparison Summary
| Factor | Freelance Product Design | In-House Product Design |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High – You control your schedule | Low – Fixed work hours and structure |
| Work Variety | High – Diverse projects across industries | Low – Focus on one company’s products |
| Autonomy | High – Independent work decisions | Low – Collaboration and company direction |
| Income Stability | Low – Project-based income, income fluctuations | High – Stable salary with benefits |
| Team Collaboration | Low – Mostly solo work | High – Frequent collaboration with teams |
| Career Growth | Low – Limited formal mentorship or training | High – Opportunities for advancement |
| Work-Life Balance | High – Control over your work-life schedule | Low – Work hours dictated by the company |
Conclusion
Choosing between freelance and in-house product design depends on your personal preferences, career goals, and risk tolerance. Freelancing offers flexibility, autonomy, and diverse projects but comes with income uncertainty and a lack of team support.
In-house design roles provide stability, collaboration, and professional development but may feel more structured with less freedom. Consider your priorities—whether that’s flexibility, financial stability, career growth, or team collaboration—when deciding which path suits you best.