In-house designers can feel like studio designers or freelancers have it made with job satisfaction. Those guys get to work with a variety of clients, create new things on a regular basis and their work is the main product of the business. With in-housers, we work only for one client and have an existing look and feel to adhere to, and if we work in a non-creative field, our work is specifically a support role for others who "do the business of the business". This presentation is an outline of how I have found a good life working as an in-houser in a non-creative industry. I am working to turn this into an article to be published at a later date.

2. Part 1

3. KNOW
As in any design project, the first
step is to get the project scope.

4. KNOW
“Oh, you’re an in-house
designer.”

5. KNOW
It usually tells the story of the
product or service or otherwise acts
to support the main business.

6. KNOW
Interesting and satisfying work
in a respectful environment.

7. Part 2

8. LEARN
in a non-creative industry?

9. LEARN
It’s really that simple.

10. LEARN
This means I need to be
productive.

11. LEARN
At the root, I basically help
people understand each other.

12. Part 3

13. PLAY
I’ve got to know the rules
in order to
break them.

14. PLAY
I have a style guide.

15. PLAY
Branding, communication, social
media, etc.

16. PLAY
to simplify rote tasks.

17. PLAY
In reality, if it represents my
company to an external audience,
it is my job.

18. PLAY
to improve my work.

19. PLAY
This includes where to break
the rules.

20. PLAY
With formal rules in place, play
becomes important to
innovation.

21. PLAY
Learn more about design,
communication or other related
disciplines.

22. PLAY
(But remember there is a
difference between in-house and
studio work.)

23. Keeps work interesting and
satisfying for me, and has helped to
create a respectful environment.

24. Community Wisdom:
What works for you?
Doug CohenMiller
www.doug.cohenmiller.com
doug@cohenmiller.com
@dougcohenmiller