I have no design freedom at all. Anyone else have a micro managing boss? and how do you deal with it? and is web designing like this at most companies.
Quit.<p>There's sometimes very little you can do to change someones perspective on this (especially if they are a boss), and instead of trying to push and lose (because I'm not at their level), I ended up doing work on my own or contracting for companies who have an appreciation for it.<p>The best work comes from doing what you love and working with people who understand it. When I look at my body of work, my favorite designs and executions come from working with open-minded creative leaders. They don't need you to tell them how to deal better. They just know and the arguments you have are based on bigger issues. The micromanaging bosses resulted in staid work that I wouldn't show or link to anyone.<p>The longer you wait, the more time you are not with an ideal boss. And unless the work you produce is actually amazing, then I don't see the point in sticking around.
I believe this is not uncommon. But look at it from the manager's perspective: unless they are really using design to move the needle, individual bouts of creativity are frequently counter-productive.