I value the experience because I chose to learn from it, but I'm glad I left before it destroyed my soul. - Account Executive Design At Work Employee Review

1.0
10 Aug 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

For the most part, there is great talent and fun people at the creative level. Some of the clients are great. Leadership, well, they manage to keep the lights on and pay people. If you like the college fraternity life, the company has a lounge with a fully stocked bar and people going through a collective mid-life crisis, so you can "work hard and play hard" if that's your thing. The real positive is that it can be a good stepping-stone and resume builder. It's also great for future networking since you will meet people who will go on to have very promising careers.

Cons

This company epitomizes the stereotype of working at an advertising agency with a terrible environment. Long hours, low compensation, high pressure, unrealistic demands and promises, zero work/life balance and disgraceful leadership is only the beginning. It's a very immature and unprofessional company and most of the people who work there are not happy. If they are, it's because they don't know any better. Leadership fosters a poisonous culture of paranoia and they don't care about the health and wellbeing of the worker bees. They also like to cross the line between business and personal in really disturbing ways. Some of the job postings will say "We're growing!" but don't be fooled. It's false advertising, go figure. They are constantly hiring people because there is an ongoing exodus of talent because they fire a lot of people and also because a lot of people quit, which is what I did after finding another job that paid me significantly more money. Ultimately, it's a morally bankrupt company that I can see being on the verge of financial bankruptcy as well.

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Design At Work Response
10y
Thank you for your feedback and input on ways to structure the company. Running a business can seem easy from the outside but will consider your advice in our next company-wide meeting as a way to improve. We value your comments but I would like to address a couple of your specific concerns here. First, we are growing. Sometimes we are growing faster than we can find the right talent. Growing doesn't always mean more people, it does mean higher salaries and more talented people. We can only hope that everyone is happy and knows they have a voice. Second, we wouldn't consider anyone "worker bees", as it takes everyone position here to be a successful team & company. Finding work/life balance in any company is tough and we do everything we can to foster a flexible working environment. We do laugh, have fun, play hard (work hard) and genuinely enjoy everyone we work with. We are very sorry this wasn't the place for you.

Explore other reviews about Design At Work

5.0
9 Feb 2021
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I've enjoyed working at Design At Work. The variety of client's they have and work we do is fun and different. We are truly part of helping most client's marketing department get their work accomplished. It's satisfying and exciting to be involved with so many businesses. With this company also being a small company, we are in the know about most things happening and that's refreshing. We don't have to worry if we will be let go for any reason and they are clear on the expectations of the roles. It is fast paced but doable if you are you able to adapt and focus. The company cares about the individuals and I hadn't seen that coming from a much larger company.

Cons

Being in meetings can take you away from getting your to-do's done but I would rather be in a client meeting and hear it from them, than relayed by others. It is a small business and they are helping other small businesses., you will be held accountable for your own work.

5.0
26 Apr 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I've come to Design At Work (originally as a graphic designer) and stayed for as long as I have for so many reasons... we have very high quality clients and do everything we can upfront to help ensure a long-term relationship, there's huge advantages to working with a company and contact for a long period of time. In addition to the quality of client, there's variety of industries so there's opportunity to flex different muscles. Also, no two days are exactly the same. While the day can be unpredictable, that's the way any customer service based job can be... ultimately we're here for the client and their needs, some days are more demanding than others.

Cons

I would say of all the positives, almost all of the exact same items listed could be negative. It really comes down to the required work (volume of that work), environment and work style individuals thrive within… and willingness/capacity for adaptability. A marketing agency isn't for everyone, we've had some individuals that were a great fits and some that weren't. I'm always grateful for each and every one of those individuals that helped our clients grow their business and helped us as a company get to the next step. I would also say, if you see these reviews and you want to ask questions, please do, I know we're very open as a company to discuss any of them.

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