FREELANCING VS. FULL-TIME FOR SOUTH ASIAN CREATIVES IN THE UK
- BRWN iNK Admin
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
Grinding through client proposals or clocking into an in-house role, what really pays off for South Asian creatives in the UK? Whether you’re chasing freelance jobs for creatives or craving creative job stability, each path has its perks (and pitfalls). No clear winner here, just honest unpacking so you can pick what fuels your hustle.
THE FREELANCE LIFE IN THE UK
Pros
Flexibility over a 9-5 grind: work when you vibe best.
Higher day rates (especially in London): big gigs can mean big cheques.
Portfolio diversity: build a resume that screams “I’ve done it all.”
Cons
Income unpredictability: feast or famine vibes are real.
Admin overload: invoicing, self-assessment deadlines, IR35 reforms… ugh.
Solo client-hunting: you’re head of biz dev, creative lead, accountant, wear all the hats.
Watch self-assessment deadlines in January, miss it and HMRC isn’t forgiving.
FULL-TIME IN HOUSE ROLES
Pros
Steady salary + pension + holiday pay: actual paycheck consistency.
Built-in mentorship & peer network: water-cooler chats > DM icebreakers.
Structured career growth: clear promo ladders at agencies and brands.
Cons
Less creative autonomy: you might be tweaking someone else’s brief.
Office politics: everyone’s got an opinion on your font choice.
Slower rate bumps: annual reviews > instant rate hikes.
London in-house salaries range widely, from £25k at small agencies up to £50k+ at big names.
HYBRID HACKS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Part-time freelancing alongside your 9-5 in-house gig.
Contract-to-hire trials: test the water before you fully dive in.
Weekend passion projects: drop into BRWN iNK meet ups or local design jams.
COMMUNITY AND RESOURCE ROUND-UP
BRWN iNK London events: mix, mingle, find opportunities.
Slack & Discord hubs: find your South Asian freelance community online.
UK platforms: YunoJuno and PeoplePerHour for landing side gigs.
CONCLUSION
Neither route is flawless, your choice hinges on how much you value stability vs. freedom. Ready to transform your career? Join 3,000+ South Asian creatives who’ve signed up for our newsletter and get weekly tips, job alerts, and community vibes. 🚀
