How to Get Paid What You Deserve : Studio Situations

How do design job pay and prospects compare at different level scales ? Take A look at three different types of design agency below

1. Start Small ( Up to 10 Staffs)

Some of the best starting salaries for designer can be found in well-funded start-ups. For example, research by Google Ventures found that design salaries being paid by tech start-ups in San Fransisco broadly reflect those being offered by much bigger, established companies. Larger agencies may offer more corporate perks, such as equity in the company and have a greater scope for internal career moves, but the mucking-in  approach at a start up means you can gain a much broader range of experience and can potentially own and adapt your role instead of moving into one.

2. Medium Prospects (11-50 Staffs)

The design week salary survey 2015 found that designers working for independent studios tended to earn slightly less (GBP 33,364 ) on average than those at networked consultancies (GBP 35,480). While medium-sized agencies may not offer the best of both worlds-you'll have oppotunities for sideways and upwards moves, but still probably still know the names of all of your colleagues. Medium-sized agencies often have a culture of seeking project input from across the company, so you will potentially have a chance to get stuck into a wide range of projects.

3. Large-Scale Agency (50+ Staffs)

You will potentially find higher salaries at larger, more established agencies, with plenty of scope for career moves-which could include a cross-global move to an office in another country. You're likely to have a much more clearly-defined role, with different skill sets clearly covered off by designated teams. Bigger agencies can offer multiple opprtunities for freelancers, but some will contract through smaller agencies rather than using individuals. The company should have a bigger budget for training and other benefits, but there will also be more layers of corporate hierarchy to deal with.