Former Full-Time Graphic Designer -- 1 Star
Tenure: 10 Weeks | 2025
I joined this agency in April with high hopes, but after 10 weeks, I was dismissed for being a "bad fit"--despite 15+ years of experience in design and a strong work ethic. This review is to help others avoid a similarly frustrating experience.
If you're tech-savvy, professional, and communicative, those strengths will actually work against you here.
The owner, Rozalie, refuses to modernize--either her tools or her mindset. She expects you to operate as if you've worked for her for years, with no onboarding, no documentation, and zero margin for clarification. When I asked completely reasonable questions (like specfics around brand guidelines), I was accused of not following instructions.
Key issues to be aware of:
* Hostile Communication Style: Rozalie is routinely dismissive, and her tone borders on emotionally abusive. If there's a communication breakdown, it's never her fault. She won't acknowledge gaps in onboarding and seems to expect mind-reading from day one.
* Outdated Systems: I was assigned a 2013 computer, forced to use a former employee's login, and asked to navigate a studio still reliant on CD backups and an 18-year-old server that had recently failed.
* Unrealistic Expectations: I was criticized for using the trash can, and for responding to messages within 2-3 hours rather than instantly--even though I was never told there was a problem until it became a reason for dismissal.
* Lack of Support or Feedback: There were no performance reviews, no improvement plans, and no response to emails I wrote in good faith to clarify goals and show my willingness to improve.
* Control Issues & Low Pay: Remote work isn't allowed, not for technical reasons, but due to a fundamental lack of trust. You'll be required to work onsite for $50K--completely unrealistic for 2025, especially given the conditions.
Rozalie's leadership is either severely incompetent or willfully delusional--likely both. The entire experience felt regressive, demoralizing, and borderline toxic. If you're a skilled designer looking to do meaningful work in a professional environment, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. read more