The hybrid revolution, trust-based teams, and why creatives are pushing back on “butts in seats” culture.
2020 made remote work a necessity. 2023 made it normal. Now in 2025, some businesses are trying to put the genie back in the bottle, demanding creatives return to the office, full-time or most of the time.
But is this really what’s best for creativity? Productivity? Or even business?
At Artisan, we talk to creatives and clients across Australia every single day. And here’s what we’re seeing: the future of creative work isn’t about the desk, it’s about the fit.
1. The Big Debate: Is Onsite Back?
Let’s get real, the conversation around “returning to the office” is heating up again. According to SEEK’s recent hiring trends, 40% of creative job ads are now tagged as onsite, 35% hybrid, and the rest are proudly remote-first. That’s a significant swing compared to 2022, when remote ruled the roost.
We’ve had full-timers and freelancers in Melbourne and Sydney tell us they’re suddenly being asked to “pop in for culture”, even when the work hasn’t changed. Some are happy for the reconnection. Others? Not so much.
As recruiters, we’re seeing a split: businesses hoping for more onsite energy, and talent seeking more freedom. It’s a tug of war between nostalgia and evolution.
2. Why Some Creatives Are Pushing Back
Creativity doesn’t always strike under fluorescent lights.
The pushback we’re seeing from candidates isn’t about laziness, it’s about wellbeing and efficiency. Burnout, long commutes, parenting pressures, and the simple truth that not everyone does their best work in a shared space are all driving a growing “work-from-anywhere” movement.
The real shift? More creatives (and managers) are prioritising output over presence. It’s not about being seen at a desk. It’s about being seen for the work.
3. The Trust Gap
Here’s where things get sticky.
Some businesses still believe productivity can be measured by hours logged in-office. But the highest-performing teams we work with don’t run on surveillance, they run on trust.
Clear deliverables. Flexible hours. Collaborative tools. And a culture that empowers over micromanages.
Remote doesn’t mean disconnected. Hybrid doesn’t mean disinterested. And onsite doesn’t guarantee magic. Trust, clarity, and communication? That’s where the real value lies.
4. Who Does Need to Be Onsite?
We’re not saying everyone can or should work in their pyjamas forever.
Some creative roles genuinely benefit from the buzz of a studio:
🎬 Video production crews
🎨 Brand and campaign workshops
📸 Photography and live art direction
🎭 Theatre, set design, experiential teams
Face-to-face collaboration can still be a superpower, especially in those intense, idea-fuelled sessions that need whiteboards, post-its, and pizza.
But it’s not always black and white. What we’re saying is: location should serve the work, not the other way around.
5. What the Data Says
The data’s on the side of flexibility:
- McKinsey found that hybrid models can boost performance by up to 20% in creative industries.
- LinkedIn’s Future of Work Report shows that 76% of creative professionals value flexibility more than a pay rise.
- Proximity bias, where onsite workers get more attention and promotions, is now recognised as a risk in creative hiring.
- Tools like Figma, Miro, Notion, and Zoom continue to evolve to bridge the physical gap in creative processes.
Bottom line? The best teams are investing in how they work, not just where.
6. Artisan’s POV: Why Fit Matters More Than Location
At Artisan, we’ve placed talent in every possible configuration: remote, onsite, hybrid, contract, freelance, permanent, and yes, sometimes floating between Bali and Bondi.
We know one thing for sure: success in 2025 isn’t about “butts in seats.” It’s about alignment.
We work with both clients and candidates to design working relationships that work for everyone. Whether you’re building a studio team, scaling a remote agency, or freelancing your way across the country, we’re here to make it happen.
📣 For Creatives, see our jobs here:
Looking for flexible work that fits your life? Talk to us, we get it.
We’ll help you find projects and employers that respect your rhythm.
📣 For Employers, contact us here:
Need help structuring your team to suit the future of work?
Let’s talk hybrid models, trust-based structures, and how to attract the best talent, wherever they are.
