An organization may choose to outsource — hire an outside company or a freelancer — certain tasks such as accounting or housekeeping. When the organization has its own department or individuals to do those tasks it's considered in-house. Some organizations hire freelance designers and others have an in-house staff or department to handle print and Web design. In some cases, the organization may have an in-house staff but also use freelance copywriters, designers, production artists, photographers, or prepress specialists to augment the activities of their in-house graphic design team.
Adjective or Adverb
As an adjective, in-house describes who is doing the work such as in-house staff or what is being created such as in-house publications. It can also be used as an adverb such as "In the past we've outsourced our marketing newsletter but as of this year we are designing and publishing in-house."Who Does In-House Design?
If you are doing graphic design or desktop publishing as a paid employee rather than as an independent contractor or freelance designer then you are doing in-house design work. While job descriptions for design jobs may not specifically say they are in-house, that's what most of them are.Any industry may have a dedicated in-house staff that handles graphic design, desktop publishing, and Web design work for the organization. Other organizations, especially small businesses, may not have a staff specifically for design work but will handle it in-house, assigning the work to various other employees — such as a salesperson tasked with creating the sales fliers for her store or a couple of teachers that supervise the publishing of a monthly newsletter for their school or a small business owner who designs and prints his own business cards. Design internships are usually with companies that have an in-house design staff.
From In-House Design to Freelance
Some freelance designers get their start by doing graphic design, desktop publishing, or Web design in-house either as an additional part of their job description or on an internal design team. One consideration when going from in-house to freelance is whether or not you can use material created while working in-house (work product) as part of your freelance design portfolio. That can depend on your employer. If you have a good relationship with them and they are aware that you are trying to go independent, ask about using work produced in-house as samples in your portfolio. But, don't use work product in your portfolio without permission or if your employment contract expressly forbids such use.If you are working for an agency that does design for outside clients and you're thinking about approaching those agency clients when you go freelance — think twice. Is it worth creating ill-will with your former employer? After a certain interval of time it may be acceptable to approach those in-house clients. Some clients may approach you without any intervention on your part. See what others say in Snagging clients from former employers: Ethical? Legal?.
In-House Examples for a Variety of Industries
These are just a few definitions, comparisons, and tips for doing a variety of jobs in-house.- What is an In-House Agency in the advertising industry?
- Some organizations have their own in-house corporate legal departments.
- A staff writer is also an in house writer.
- In House Mortgage Services in real estate provide one-stop convenience.
- Restaurants may choose in-house marketing over hiring someone to do their menus and other materials.
- The site for your wedding may offer in-house caterers.
- There are independent record producers and in-house record producers in the music industry.
