Voxpop

Apple Computer has given a newly-created European graphics role to Harriet Devoy, former creative director at The Chase. Is working in-house for a major brand more attractive than working for a consultancy?

It is all about the degree of influence you can have on the final mix and the level at which you are playing. With big corporations, being within the
belly of the beast gives you more traction, but many smaller organisations also use their external consultants as out-sourced design directors anyway. They both have their advantages, but you must make sure that you’ve got real influence in your role before stepping onto the pay roll.

Richard Seymour, Partner, Seymour Powell (pictured)

We tend to look at this as a black or white choice, when, in reality, there are lots of different types of consultancies and in-house studios. What is important is the culture within the studio and the relationship that you have with your work partners (internal or customers). At the end of the day, this is what is really going to determine whether you have a good time at work and whether your work has any impact.

Ignacio Germade, Design director EMEA, Motorola

For me, the major benefit would be the distant memory of ‘the pitch’. Like many, we commit vast resources to pitching for work that is destined for  the incumbent, mates or the cheapest bid – and only rarely for the most creative solution. Just think, Harriet, that by leaving this behind, all you have to do is maintain and improve one of the strongest design brands on the planet. A wise choice, Apple.

Peter Higgins, Creative director, Land Design Studio

It depends on the company. Apple, yes, some client companies, perhaps not. Working in-house gives the opportunity to really influence a company’s design culture, provided it is supported from the board and sustained by the infrastructure. As innovation and design gains business accreditation, we are finding that more and more of our business comes from client companies and that our candidates are keen to work in-house.

Madelaine Cooper, Heroes Creative Talent Broking (pictured)