Vantaggi
Learned advance Photoshop skills from talented photographers to use for my next job, learned how to check color at press checks, designed 140 page catalogs solo (I really mean solo, no help from the art director or other designers) on extremely tight deadlines. Without the some of the management involved, everyone was a great team.
Svantaggi
You were never "allowed" to go home at the end of the work day until ALL of your deadlines were met. If you had to stay until 10:00 five days a week, that was what they expected of you. The design that is done in the Creative Department is tacky, distasteful and not worth any REAL designer's time. You never feel proud of the work you do. It's a requirement for all salary employees to work CIGARfest unpaid for an entire weekend. Comp time was never offered (i.e., a free day off the Monday after the fest). If you're allergic to smoke, don't work here. A lot of people smoke cigars FREQUENTLY.