Moving on from Duarte was the best thing that could have happened to my career - werkgeversreview Designer bij Duarte

2,0
11 mei 2020
Aanbevelen
Goedkeuring directeur
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Pluspunten

A lot of good people work here. Not sure why so many choose to suffer through Duarte’s toxic culture.

Minpunten

Top heavy unprofessional management and A LOT of finger pointing. Designers are undervalued, talked over, and provided little to no guidance. The culture is clicky, gossipy and they play favorites. The list goes on.. Too much hand holding because of the top heavy management. They coddle and suffocate you to keep themselves busy. Thanks, but I can work fine without you breathing on over my shoulder. If you are not on the right team you are doomed. Some managers don’t have time for you. Some managers should not be managers. Crucial conversations about career growth are glanced over, and professional growth at Duarte is a pipe dream. Getting promoted as a designer is next to impossible. You have to jump through hoops, and be in the in-crowd. They delude themselves into thinking everything they do is right, so valid complaints don’t register. If you’re not a favorite, you won’t grow and hear any number of different excuses as to why. A lot of kool aid drinking. If you're not in the “in-crowd familia,” you will suffer. If you cross someone in the in-crowd, it will backfire. They will find ways to give you less work and make you feel less valuable. You won’t be given work and they use your billable hours against you. They come across as intimidated by people who have skills other than presentation design. The organization is always in flux. They went through 2 different organization in the two years I worked there, and I had 2 different managers who didn’t know/care to actually manage me. The favoritism is out of control. Not all employees are treated equal. You have to be someone’s favorite or have the right manager to be able to do things like work from home. HR is nice but they don’t have the employee’s best interest at heart. They are paid to cater to the higher ups and the favorites. Issues don’t get resolved, and rather than try and fix things, they gaslight and talk you out of complaining as if it’s all in your head. They also don’t have time for you if you're not in the in-crowd. The best possible move for personal career growth was to no longer be at Duarte. Thank you for laying me off. The best possible move for personal career growth was to no longer be at Duarte. Thank you for laying me off.

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Reactie van Duarte
6y
Hi Alumni Designer, I *definitely* have an affinity for Duarte's high-performing Designers. They’re unicorns. Not like pop-culture unicorns that poop glitter or rainbow ice cream, but a truly rare creature that performs in a way most creative folks, simply, can’t. A Duarte designer can go toe-to-toe with Fortune 50 CEOs and help them visualize category-defining concepts. They can wrap a keynote hall with immersive experiences that transport an audience. They create presentation template systems that make tens of thousands of employees at public companies more productive. They create jaw-dropping strategic models that align stakeholders and bring traction across an organization. They can read a script and empatheically visualize it in a way an audience consumes information. They can visualize a brand consistently in the most powerful face-to-face medium. They can solve a client's communication problem in a way unparalleled in the world. Sadly, we made the decision to separate from a few designers who didn’t meet a set of clear performance criteria we need for the future--not everyone could meet the criteria. It was a painful and difficult decision we made which impacted some very very very very very very very very very beautiful people we have deep deep deep deep affection for. I cried. My comfort came from the clarity in the conversations and documentation. The Managers and HR team took great pains to communicate performance clearly. If high-performing standards are a "clique", I can only take that as a compliment. I bet you'll shine and make a really big difference in the world. That's how Duartians roll.

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5,0
27 apr 2026
Aanbevelen
Goedkeuring directeur
Zakelijk vooruitzicht

Pluspunten

I had an excellent onboarding experience at Duarte. From day one, everything was thoughtfully organized and clearly communicated, which made the transition into the company seamless and welcoming. The onboarding process struck a great balance between providing essential information and allowing space to absorb and apply what I was learning. The training was high-quality, engaging, and easy to follow. I especially appreciated the opportunity to participate in one of Duarte’s workshops, which gave me a firsthand look at the company’s expertise in communication and storytelling. There was a strong sense of intentionality behind every session, ensuring that new hires not only understand their roles but also feel connected to Duarte’s culture and values. What stood out most was the level of support. Everyone I interacted with was approachable, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping new employees succeed. There were clear opportunities to ask questions, connect with colleagues, and build relationships early on, which made a big difference. Overall, Duarte’s onboarding process is a standout example of how to set employees up for success from the very beginning.

Minpunten

No cons experienced during onboarding

5,0
13 mrt 2025
Anonieme werknemer
Aanbevelen
Goedkeuring directeur
Zakelijk vooruitzicht

Pluspunten

I've been with this company for a while now, and it's been an awesome journey. The culture here really cares about each of us, and the fully remote setup means we can work from anywhere in the state. The benefits are great, and the pay is competitive with other small agencies. There are plenty of chances to grow your career organically, and we're encouraged to play to our strengths. The focus on self-awareness and valuing what each person brings to the table is truly unique. Our Agency works on stunningly beautiful creative projects that make a real difference for our clients, and the methodology taught in our Academy has helped not only our clients, but many of us improve our careers and lives. Plus, working with big-name clients and some of the smartest, most creative people around is a huge bonus.

Minpunten

Every business has it's challenges. challenges. Financial recovery after the pandemic has been slow. In a small business, you end up wearing a lot of hats, which can ultimately be a great learning experience. The focus on performance means everyone has to pull their weight. There are some really busy periods of the year, but overall, things balance out over the year, making it manageable and the company does a good job prioritizing balance.

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