Agency vs. In-House

No Boring Assignments, Just Boring Solutions

The world of creative professionals and designers is often divided into two primary working environments: agency life and in-house work. Both have their unique advantages and challenges, but the real difference lies in how creative processes are managed, especially when transitioning from an agency to an in-house environment. The age-old adage, "There are no boring assignments, just boring solutions," rings especially true here. But perhaps it's not just about solutions—sometimes, the missing ingredient is effort.

In this article, we'll explore the challenges of transferring agency practices to an in-house setting, examine the mindset shift required, and discuss how to keep creativity alive, even in environments where monotony can feel inevitable.

The Agency Advantage: Creative Freedom and Diverse Challenges

Agencies thrive on variety. Creative professionals working in agencies are typically exposed to a wide array of industries and projects, working with different brands, each with its unique voice and challenges. This constant change helps keep designers on their toes, providing endless opportunities to flex their creative muscles.

The high-paced environment of agencies often means that deadlines are tight, which can be stressful but also exhilarating. There’s an adrenaline rush that comes with turning out top-tier work under pressure. Collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams—strategists, account managers, copywriters, and art directors—also creates a rich environment for ideation.

The In-House Shift: Stability at the Risk of Stagnation

When transitioning to an in-house team, the dynamic shifts. The workload often narrows, focused entirely on one brand or product line. This can provide designers with more stability but also runs the risk of feeling repetitive or stagnant. Without the constant influx of diverse projects, some creatives may struggle to maintain the same level of excitement.

However, this shift from agency to in-house doesn’t have to lead to a creative rut. In fact, in-house environments can be a fertile ground for deep, long-term brand storytelling that simply isn't possible in the more fragmented agency world. The challenge is in how creative professionals adapt their practices to prevent their creativity from being stifled by routine.

Adapting Agency Practices for In-House Teams

Embrace Process Without Letting It Define You

Agencies often have well-defined creative processes that help guide projects from conception to delivery. These processes can be beneficial when transferred to an in-house setting, where workflows might not be as refined. Establishing a clear framework for collaboration, feedback, and iteration can help streamline the creative process and improve output quality.

But it's essential to avoid becoming too rigid. In-house teams may be tempted to stick to the same formula for each project, but it's vital to stay flexible and encourage experimentation. Bringing that agency mindset of always questioning the norm and seeking better, more exciting solutions will keep things fresh.

Challenge the “Monotony” of Familiarity

A key concern for designers moving in-house is the risk of monotony—working with the same brand day in, day out can start to feel limiting. The solution? Reframe the challenge. Just because you’re working with a single brand doesn’t mean the work itself should become repetitive. Treat each project as a new opportunity to deepen your understanding of the brand, experiment with its voice, and push its boundaries in innovative ways.

In-house teams have a unique advantage here: a long-term relationship with the brand allows for more significant evolution over time. Use this to create campaigns that tell richer, more layered stories that grow with the audience.

Leverage Cross-Departmental Collaboration

One of the most exciting aspects of agency work is collaborating with people across different fields. In an in-house environment, this kind of interdisciplinary collaboration isn’t always as immediate or common, but the potential is there.

Foster relationships with teams across departments—whether it’s marketing, product development, or customer insights. Just like in an agency, you’ll find that fresh perspectives spark new ideas and prevent the work from becoming too insular.

Create Self-Imposed Deadlines and Challenges

One of the most effective drivers of creativity in agency life is the constant ticking clock. Deadlines push creatives to think outside the box and make decisions swiftly. Without that external pressure in-house, it’s easy to lose momentum and settle into a slower pace.

To avoid this, consider setting self-imposed deadlines or goals. These mini-challenges can help reignite that sense of urgency and force you to come up with fresh solutions faster.

Keep the Ego in Check—Don’t Blame the Work

Often, designers complain that in-house work is boring or stifling, but it’s important to remember that it’s not necessarily the work that’s to blame. As the saying goes, there are no boring assignments—only boring solutions (or perhaps, a lack of effort).

Even the most mundane-seeming project has the potential to become something extraordinary with the right mindset and approach. Challenge yourself to see beyond the immediate brief. The real creative test is not in finding the most exciting assignment but in transforming any assignment into something impactful.

The Real Culprit: Solutions or Effort?

At the end of the day, both agency and in-house environments present their own set of challenges, but the common denominator for success is the ability to bring effort and creativity to every task. While agencies provide a constant stream of new stimuli, in-house teams must learn to find inspiration in consistency. It’s not about whether the assignment is boring; it’s about the energy, enthusiasm, and creative approach you bring to the solution.

For creative professionals transitioning to in-house roles, the biggest shift is realizing that maintaining creative vitality isn’t about chasing exciting briefs—it’s about putting in the effort to keep things fresh, no matter the project. And that’s the ultimate challenge: proving that your creativity doesn’t just flourish under pressure, but also in environments where consistency is key.

Final Thoughts

Transferring agency practices to in-house environments is more than just importing processes—it’s about keeping the spirit of creativity alive. The secret? No assignment is boring if approached with the right energy and effort. Whether agency or in-house, the challenge is the same: find the extraordinary in the everyday.