I'm a little over 15 years into my career as a creative and most of my time has been spent in the consulting side. I want to share my thoughts and experiences so far as it relates to working in Consulting or Product as a designer.

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Why does this matter as a creative professional?

As a creative professional, it’s crucial to understand what you’re stepping into when joining either a product company or a consultancy. At its core, the job remains the same...you are a designer first and foremost. However, everything surrounding that core shapes your daily experience in vastly different ways.

I’ll explore those differences in the next sections, but my question of, why does this distinction matter? In my experience mentoring and working with designers, some of the most common questions I hear is: “Is this the right industry for me?” or "what does my growth path look like here?" Understanding the nuances between these paths can help designers make informed career choices that align with their strengths, interests, and long-term goals.

Different paths, same destination: Solving user needs!

At the end of the day, as a product designer, your primary goal is to solve user problems. Whether you work in-house at a product company or within a consultancy/agency, that core mission remains the same. However, these are two distinct paths toward that goal—not because the exercises or design approaches differ, but because of everything that surrounds you as a designer.

In a product company, you live and breathe the brand, the products, and the end users. Every day, every meeting, and every pixel is intentionally focused on your organization and its long-term success. This environment fosters a different approach to growth and learning. You quickly become a subject matter expert, gaining deep industry knowledge...including insights and nuances that those outside the company may never encounter. Over time, you don’t just design the product...you embody it.

In consulting, your focus shifts based on your client. In those moments, you immerse yourself in their brand, their products, and the needs of their end users. However, your daily responsibilities often extend beyond any single client. You may find yourself in meetings about studio performance, new business pursuits, or onboarding incoming clients. While similar activities may occur in an in-house environment, they are typically not the primary concern of most product designers there. Additionally, consultants often juggle multiple clients at once, requiring the ability to seamlessly context-switch throughout the day.

Ultimately, the end goal remains the same though: solving user needs. But how you get there...and the environment you navigate daily can vary significantly between these two paths.

The Pros & Cons - IMO

These are all based on my experience and my opinion, if I missed anything or perhaps you disagree with me, let's discuss on the LinkedIn post. So here we go...

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Pros of Consulting

• Exposure to a Wide Variety of Industries and Challenges
  One of the biggest advantages of consulting is the ability to work across multiple industries. From healthcare to retail to financial services, each project introduces new challenges, different user needs, and unique business goals. This breadth of experience helps designers and product strategists develop a well-rounded perspective and become highly adaptable.

• Fast Learning Curve and Development of Adaptable Skill Sets
  Because consultants are frequently thrown into new projects, the pace of learning is accelerated. You quickly pick up new methodologies, tools, and ways of working. Whether it’s adapting to different corporate cultures, solving diverse UX problems, or learning new design systems, consultants develop a toolkit that makes them resilient and versatile.

• High-Profile Projects and Collaboration with Big-Name Clients
  Working at an agency or consulting firm often means partnering with well-known brands and large enterprises. This provides exposure to high-stakes projects that impact millions of users. The ability to say you've worked with Fortune 500 companies can also enhance your credibility and open doors to future opportunities.

• Networking Opportunities and Career Growth Potential
  Since consultants work with multiple teams, companies, and stakeholders, they naturally build an extensive professional network. These connections can lead to new job opportunities, partnerships, or even freelance work down the road. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of consulting often accelerates career progression, as consultants are exposed to leadership and decision-making roles early on.

Cons of Consulting

• Less Ownership Over Long-Term Product Outcomes
  While consultants contribute to defining strategies, designing solutions, and optimizing user experiences, they rarely get to see the long-term impact of their work. Once a project is delivered, the execution and evolution of the product are typically left in the hands of the in-house team, which can feel unsatisfying for those who want to build and refine a product over time.

• Rapid Pace with Potential Burnout from Multiple Clients/Projects
  Consulting is known for its fast pace, tight deadlines, and sometimes high-pressure environments. Juggling multiple projects at once, managing different client expectations, and constantly shifting gears can lead to burnout if not managed properly. Work-life balance may also be more difficult to maintain compared to an in-house role.

• You Can Feel Like an Outsider, Constantly Adjusting to New Teams
  Since consultants are brought in for specific projects, they often need to quickly integrate into existing teams, understand company politics, and establish credibility in a short period. This means constantly adapting to new environments and stakeholders, which can feel isolating compared to the deeper relationships built in an in-house setting.

• Less Control Over Final Execution Due to Client Decision-Making
  Even with the best research, strategy, and design recommendations, consultants don’t always have the final say. Clients ultimately make the decisions, and sometimes business priorities, budget constraints, or internal politics lead to a less-than-ideal implementation of a consultant’s vision. This can be frustrating for those who value creative control and long-term strategic influence.

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Pros of Product (In-House)

• Deep Ownership and Long-Term Impact on a Product’s Evolution
  One of the biggest advantages of working in-house is having a direct influence on the long-term development of a product. Unlike consulting, where projects have a defined end, in-house teams get to iterate, refine, and see the impact of their work over months or even years. This allows for a more strategic and user-centered approach to product growth.

• Stable Work Environment with a Clearer Growth Path
  For those who prefer stability, an in-house role provides a consistent team, company culture, and structured career progression. Instead of frequently jumping between projects and clients, employees can build deep expertise within an organization and grow into leadership roles over a longer time.

• Close Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
  In-house designers and product teams work alongside engineering, marketing, sales, and customer support daily. This ongoing collaboration leads to stronger relationships, a deeper understanding of business goals, and the ability to create more cohesive product experiences.

• More Influence on Strategy, Roadmap, and User Experience
  Unlike consultants, who often make recommendations but don’t control final execution, in-house product designers and managers have a say in shaping the product roadmap. This allows for greater creative control and alignment with business objectives, making it easier to advocate for design-driven decisions.

Cons of Product (In-House)

• Work Can Become Repetitive or Slow-Moving Compared to Consulting
  While deep ownership is a pro, it can also mean that work moves at a slower pace. Unlike consulting, where each project brings new challenges, in-house teams may find themselves iterating on the same product features for extended periods, which can feel monotonous.

• Less Variety—Focused on a Single Product or Industry
  In-house designers typically work within the same industry or business model for a long time. This can limit exposure to different design challenges, making it harder to develop a diverse portfolio or broaden skill sets compared to consulting.

• Bureaucracy and Internal Politics Can Slow Innovation
  Enterprise companies often have layers of decision-making, requiring extensive stakeholder buy-in before making changes. Even well-researched and validated design recommendations may take months to implement due to competing business priorities, budget constraints, or leadership resistance.

• Career Growth Can Be More Structured but Sometimes Less Dynamic
  While in-house roles offer a clear career trajectory, they may not always provide the same rapid advancement opportunities that consulting does. Promotions often depend on internal politics, company restructuring, or budget availability, making it a slower climb compared to the merit-based progression often seen in consulting firms.

What I've learned along the way.

Consulting:

• Rapid Problem-Solving: The fast-paced nature of consulting forces you to think on your feet and tackle complex challenges efficiently.
• Stakeholder Management: Working with multiple clients means constantly navigating different expectations, priorities, and communication styles.
• Adaptability: Exposure to different industries and projects makes consultants highly flexible in learning new tools, methodologies, and business strategies.
• Time Management & Efficiency: Juggling multiple projects simultaneously helps consultants master prioritization and productivity.

Product (In-House):

• Deep Product Thinking: In-house roles require a long-term vision and an understanding of how decisions impact a product over time.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Being part of the roadmap process helps in understanding business goals and making data-driven design choices.
• Iterative Improvement: Unlike consulting, where work is often project-based, in-house teams continuously refine and optimize products over time.

There could be an ample amount of overlap between the two however I saw myself focusing on certain things more in each role. YES, you need to manage stakeholders and be quick in problem-solving while in a product company... YES, you need strategic decision-making and product thinking for consulting but all of them in different ways. Again, don't take this list of learns and an exhaustive one, but just a few notes to get you thinking.

Which path is right for you?

At the end of the day this is all based on personal goals, desires, and a number of other factors. Chosing between consulting (or agency) and a product focused role really depends on you. Here are some questions that might help guide that decision.

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment or prefer deep, long-term engagements?
  • If you enjoy variety, rapid learning, and constant change... consulting might be the right fit!
  • If you are looking to own a product and iterate on it over time, that product (in-house) role could be the way to go!
• Are you looking for accelerated exposure or something with a bit more stability and a slower pace?
  • Product roles generally provide more stability, structured growth paths, and deeper specialization both in craft and industry.
  • Consulting exposes you to a variety of different industries and challenges, making it a strong choice for those who genuinely enjoy variety in their experiences. While also understanding it comes with potential instability.
• How do you prioritize work-life balance?
  • Consulting often demands high availability, tight deadlines, and depending on the client / org... travel.
  • Product roles, while depending on the org aren't without their own challenges, tend to provide a bit more predictable schedules and work-life balance. However I can't stress that this really depends on the org.
• What skills do you hope to develop?
  • Consulting pushes you towards rapid adaptability, stakeholder management, and a high output of problem-solving within different industries and clients.
  • Product side of things often strengthens long-term vision, industry strategy, and ownership.

A little personal reflection.

I know with absolute certainty I didn't touch on every aspect of both career paths, however this is something I've been thinking about for a bit now and needed to write it down. I have a love for both consulting and product, my next step in my career may land me in either one. The idea of heading back to consulting comes with excitement and a bit of that familiarity while staying in product comes with some unknowns and the potential to dig deep into a new industry, that's also exciting.

I'm beyond thankful that I've had the opportunity to explore my career in both paths. I do hold the opinion that working within an agency/consultancy early in your career builds up an invaluable set of skills to make life within product (in-house) so much better. Is it the path for everyone, no... am I happy that's how my career started and progressed? Absolutely!

Let me ask you... What has your experience been like? Have you lived the life working for a product company from day one or have you been the chasing those new clients and projects on the regular as a consultant?

Let's connect on LinkedIn and I'd love to discuss.