A special place with a few flaws - Graphic Designer Instrument Employee Review

4.0
Mar 5, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A collection of some of the best people I've ever worked with. Smart, funny, kind, talented, hardworking. As mentioned in other reviews the different teams have different styles so that may effect things, but I always had a positive experience. I think there's a genuine commitment to getting more diverse people in the door and improving, and I think that's more an industry and society wide issue that you just see manifest at Instrument as well, nothing specific to Instrument or its environment. I can see why people say its clique-y but I think that's just because a lot of people are friends outside of work. If you make anything approaching an effort you'll find that the vast majority of people are kind and welcoming. Great client work too. The roster is top-notch and Instrument always ships good stuff.

Cons

I think the biggest thing was low compensation, and some unevenness around promotions although I've saw that improve a lot during my time there. I think it's part of the overall progression from being a smaller, looser place to a bigger org.

Explore other reviews about Instrument

5.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with great people. Seamless life, work balance, and a very nice company culture.

Cons

No big cons as far as my concern. The pay can be slightly better, but it's okay compared to other agencies' standards.

3.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people here are great. Every team feels fairly connected, even for a 250+ person agency. Work/life balance is the best I've experienced at an agency so far. Pay is fair and scales depending on where you live and your experience overall. Work has the potential to be interesting, but most clients we bring in are not looking for ground-breaking work.

Cons

The benefits are not extraordinary, other than generous PTO. Recently removed a sabbatical program. Layoffs that come as a surprise, with scrambles only months later to fill the eliminated roles. Freelance hiring is hit or miss. Publicly-owned with a parent company that doesn't align with Instrument's morals. Leadership feels fairly disconnected and not genuinely interested in resolving the low morale amongst the larger team. Seemingly more interested in advertising themselves and using AI than in focusing on craft and high-quality projects. Constant leadership departures create anxiety.

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