Hear straight from our graduates.
Be flexible, listen to the people around you and take responsibility for your work.
Freelance Visual Designer
Margherita Baldi
What type of work were you involved in prior to Shillington and what motivated you to study design at Shillington?
Before Shillington, I worked at a company in Berlin as a Graphic Designer while freelancing on the side. I started with digital design and then switched to print. I was mainly working with templates, and although it was a good learning process (especially about printing techniques, that I love) at some point I felt I needed a change.
Before this, I studied Fashion Marketing Communication in Florence, so I dove into Graphic Design with some self-taught skills to complement the knowledge and know-how in design that I gained throughout my studies. While in Berlin I realized I wanted to take a step back and do a full immersion in the graphic design world to improve my skills even further and to refine my visual style.
How did the course build your skill set?
The course wasn’t only useful from the design perspective, but you also learn many other things that are essential for a designer, such as having a process and planning for work. Learning while doing was what I liked the most. I lost my “fear of the unknown” and enjoyed practicing with the software while working on specific projects.
How has the Shillumni community helped you with your design career after graduation?
In many different ways. Manchester is a small city and I feel it’s easier to connect with people. If you work in the creative field, it can happen that you see the same faces at design events and this makes it easier to make connections and collaborations. I keep discovering ex-students who studied at Shillington years ago, and I’m still in contact with some of my classmates. I’m also collaborating with some of them for a couple of side projects—it’s nice to create something that mixes different styles and perspectives with people you know that you work well with.
When I was about to finish the course, my Shillo teachers suggested to me designers/studios to contact for a portfolio review or even just to meet them and ask for advice. They’ve been very helpful to me and that’s amazing that I’m still in contact with most of them!
I also find the Facebook Shillumni group very useful. Thanks to a post by Dina Shirin, Marketing & Communications assistant at Shillington New York, I got to know the photography collective, Foto Femme United, a 100% female group dedicated to empowering women in photography. I’m now working on their brand development. I love how design can connect you to amazing projects and people!
Tell us about some of your favourite design projects since you started working as a freelancer.
One of my favourite projects is definitely Sublunar Records. It’s an independent label focused on techno and club-oriented music, founded by two DJs and producers based in Florence. I have been taking care of the labels brand identity and design since its birth in 2017. I love combining my two passions for music and design and to have the chance to experiment. For their limited edition EPs, I designed a series of stamps, which make each EP a unique piece. I’m currently working on a new trilogy on vinyl that will be released next year, so keep your eyes peeled!
Another project I really like is Strive, an educational consultancy based in Berlin for kids and teenagers who want to study abroad. The aim was to do something engaging and cool for the kids that at the same time would inspire confidence in their parents. I’m very happy about the result, it’s something completely different from any other educational organization and it definitely catches your eye! I developed their brand identity and now, together with Studio Printmysoul, we are working on the website which will be live soon. I love freelancing because I’m having the chance to work on so many different projects from different fields like music, fashion, advertising, wellness, food, education, and events.
What advice can you provide to someone interested in the course?
Design is not only a job, but it’s also a passion that involves many aspects in a designer’s life, so if you’re really passionate about it, this is the right course for you.
While doing the course (and after), always have a curiosity to experiment with new things without stopping at the first idea because the possibilities are infinite! At the same time, remember that design is mainly about making decisions. Your teachers and classmates will give you precious feedback but in the end, you’re the one who decides what needs to be done. Be flexible, listen to the people around you and take responsibility for your work.
Visit Margherita’s website and follow her work on Instagram.
Be flexible, listen to the people around you and take responsibility for your work.
Freelance Visual Designer
Margherita Baldi
What type of work were you involved in prior to Shillington and what motivated you to study design at Shillington?
Before Shillington, I worked at a company in Berlin as a Graphic Designer while freelancing on the side. I started with digital design and then switched to print. I was mainly working with templates, and although it was a good learning process (especially about printing techniques, that I love) at some point I felt I needed a change.
Before this, I studied Fashion Marketing Communication in Florence, so I dove into Graphic Design with some self-taught skills to complement the knowledge and know-how in design that I gained throughout my studies. While in Berlin I realized I wanted to take a step back and do a full immersion in the graphic design world to improve my skills even further and to refine my visual style.
How did the course build your skill set?
The course wasn’t only useful from the design perspective, but you also learn many other things that are essential for a designer, such as having a process and planning for work. Learning while doing was what I liked the most. I lost my “fear of the unknown” and enjoyed practicing with the software while working on specific projects.
How has the Shillumni community helped you with your design career after graduation?
In many different ways. Manchester is a small city and I feel it’s easier to connect with people. If you work in the creative field, it can happen that you see the same faces at design events and this makes it easier to make connections and collaborations. I keep discovering ex-students who studied at Shillington years ago, and I’m still in contact with some of my classmates. I’m also collaborating with some of them for a couple of side projects—it’s nice to create something that mixes different styles and perspectives with people you know that you work well with.
When I was about to finish the course, my Shillo teachers suggested to me designers/studios to contact for a portfolio review or even just to meet them and ask for advice. They’ve been very helpful to me and that’s amazing that I’m still in contact with most of them!
I also find the Facebook Shillumni group very useful. Thanks to a post by Dina Shirin, Marketing & Communications assistant at Shillington New York, I got to know the photography collective, Foto Femme United, a 100% female group dedicated to empowering women in photography. I’m now working on their brand development. I love how design can connect you to amazing projects and people!
Tell us about some of your favourite design projects since you started working as a freelancer.
One of my favourite projects is definitely Sublunar Records. It’s an independent label focused on techno and club-oriented music, founded by two DJs and producers based in Florence. I have been taking care of the labels brand identity and design since its birth in 2017. I love combining my two passions for music and design and to have the chance to experiment. For their limited edition EPs, I designed a series of stamps, which make each EP a unique piece. I’m currently working on a new trilogy on vinyl that will be released next year, so keep your eyes peeled!
Another project I really like is Strive, an educational consultancy based in Berlin for kids and teenagers who want to study abroad. The aim was to do something engaging and cool for the kids that at the same time would inspire confidence in their parents. I’m very happy about the result, it’s something completely different from any other educational organization and it definitely catches your eye! I developed their brand identity and now, together with Studio Printmysoul, we are working on the website which will be live soon. I love freelancing because I’m having the chance to work on so many different projects from different fields like music, fashion, advertising, wellness, food, education, and events.
What advice can you provide to someone interested in the course?
Design is not only a job, but it’s also a passion that involves many aspects in a designer’s life, so if you’re really passionate about it, this is the right course for you.
While doing the course (and after), always have a curiosity to experiment with new things without stopping at the first idea because the possibilities are infinite! At the same time, remember that design is mainly about making decisions. Your teachers and classmates will give you precious feedback but in the end, you’re the one who decides what needs to be done. Be flexible, listen to the people around you and take responsibility for your work.
Visit Margherita’s website and follow her work on Instagram.
Carolyn Kao
Product Designer, Robinhood
Rob Key
Founder of Studio Change and Change Space
Carl McBride
Junior Designer at Toyfight
Melody Yee
Lead Designer at
The Daily Edited
Darsh Seneviratne
Designer at Canva
Matt McKay
Designer at Kensa Creative
Ximena Jimenez
Web Designer at Blackmagic Design
Kinda Savarino
Designer at Billion Dollar Boy
Chantel Charchalis
Marketing and Content Creator at The Dog Mum
Tom Noon
Freelance Graphic Designer
Lauren Danger Koste
Studio Manager at The Design Kids
Karina Aslikyan
Freelance Graphic Designer
Robyn M-C
Freelance Graphic Designer
Lauren Stevens
Freelance Graphic Designer/ Junior Designer at NRMA
Karen Liang
Learning Experience Designer at Standards Australia
Ayesha Mansour
Freelance Designer, Aah Yes Studio
Anna Dai
Freelance Graphic Designer
Georgia Latham
Intern at Imagist
Natasha Michels
Designer at Nine Publishing and Creative Director at Sweaty City magazine
Mary Lin
Graphic Designer, Colette Werden
Carla Zimbler
VJ and Designer, Tszuj
Wyatt Welles
Freelance Graphic Designer
Laura Welch
Enviromental Designer at Sundance Film Festival
Sophie Bo Schmidt
Senior UX Consultant at PeakXD
Sivim Ly
Junior Graphic Designer at Loeffler Randall
Ben Thaler
Junior Designer at Common
Rosylvia Wang
Design and Brand Officer at Historic Houses UK
Liam Speranza
Associate Design Manager at Tushy
Em Storey
Junior Designer, NU Creative
Natalie Taylor
Designer, Mobkoi
Ella Caseley
Winner of the Shillington x Champion Agency Scholarship
Oyinkan Karunwi
Founder at Aseda Design Agency
Sylvan Hillebrand
Midweight Creative at HarrimanSteel
Maria Vazquez
Freelance Designer and Art Director
Alessandra Conti
Designer, RAPP
Elizabeth Diffey
Freelance Graphic Designer, Spotify
Majo Crespo
Co-Founder and Strategic Designer, Facético
Lorenzo Mengolini
UX Designer, AKQA
Abbey Swinn
Designer, Frost*collective
Angeline Chan
Communications Specialist, The University of Melbourne
Julia Hoolahan
Art Director, Home Beautiful
Seyi Ogunlade
Freelance Graphic Designer and Photographer
Rory Knibbs
Designer, The Midnight Club
Jess Goodall
Digital Designer, Pistachio Design
Stephanie Halovanic
Creative Producer, &Walsh
Megan Voo
UX/UI & Content Designer, Ignite Online
Gerald Torto
Strategist, Re Agency
Eman Abdallah
Graphic & Experience Designer, KAIRO
Ariana Villegas
Designer, Simplecast
Ray Wong
Designer, Oink Creative
Johanna Hagenauer
Brand / Product Designer, Rexlabs
Kris Klein
Experience Design + Videography at AKQA
Emily Campos
UX Designer, Wix
Rawin Keo
Lead Graphic Designer, Dermalogica
Mark Osmond
Designer, Thumbs Up!
Vanessa Bertagnole
Graphic Multimedia Designer, Surf Life Saving Queensland
Araki Koman
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
Arwa Al-Salam
Designer, Human Appeal
Benny Hinman
Designer, Frost*collective
Em Stokes
Junior Designer, MOO
Veronica Humphris
Digital Designer, Mapway
Leila Bartholet
Designer, Chandelier
Jared Worthington
Designer at Media Playground
Alexandra Francis
Designer, Flow Creative
Benjamin Ngooi
Graphic Designer, Cox Architecture
Sophie Lord
Creative Director, Hello May
Khadijah Adbul Nabi
Freelance Graphic Designer
Frankie Young
Founder, Studio Neubau
Ella Donald & Charlotte Carnegie Brown
Co-Founders, Studio Duzi
Amy Forsyth
Graphic Designer, Alfresco Emporium
Jaira Adlawan
Senior Visual Designer, Sephora
Jamie Krups
Creative at Stab Magazine
Keiran McCann
Graphic Designer, Victoria’s Secret
Greg Bemis
Creative, Nike
Anastasiia Vinnichenko
Designer, ToyFight
Lori Beth Kaye
Senior Product Designer, The Iconic
Megan Dweck
Visual Designer, McKinsey & Company
James Freebairn
Junior Graphic Designer, Dark Mofo
Irina Manning
UX Designer, Manning Labs
Shannon Gordon
Designer, R/GA
Sinead Murphy
Freelance Graphic Designer
Lauren Koste
Freelance Designer and Craft Beer Specialist
Ani Monteleone
Designer, The Wall Street Journal
Caitlin Clancy
Designer, The New York Times
Miwako Suzuki
Integrated Creative Director
Linda Gao
Designer, HBO
Rachel Urquhart
Founder, Pony Gold Studio
Will Batrouney
Graphic Designer, Ignite Online
Ellie Pinney
Freelance Designer
Katie Lodge
Business Development Manager, Frost* collective
Joseph Lebus
Designer, Made Thought
Jordan Demetriou
Junior Designer, Principals
Hamish Snow
Product Designer, Rexlabs
Emily Somers
Founder, Bravery Co.
Eleanor Robertson
Designer, Paul Belford Ltd
Estefi Panizza
Junior Designer, Design Bridge
Erin Gale
Designer, Target
Kylie Meller
Founder, duosista Web and Graphic Design
Yarron Frauenfelder
Design Director
Bianca Chu
Senior Designer, eBay
Bianca Oggiano
Designer, FutureBrand
Alexander Rog
Junior Designer, oOh!
Christopher J Porter
Designer, I See Sea
Babeth Olde Hanter
Junior Art Director, SOV
Chrystal Christie
Photographer/Graphic Designer, One Round Entertainment
Tally Thompson
Graphic Designer, Awesome Creative
Dominika Stanczyk
Designer, Open Water
Lindsay Koffler
Graphic Designer, Refinery29
Amee Wilson
Art Director, Clemenger BBDO
Lily Moore
Designer at Sotheby’s
Braden Floris
Designer, GoFundMe
Ashley Ronning
Illustrator and Founder of Helio Press
Tahmena Lutfi
Digital Designer, Qantas and Jetstar Hotels
Anara Davletaliyeva
UX Designer and Developer, Appliances Online
Tiffany Yee
Designer, Forever 21
Amy Sheehan
Art Director, Insider Inc.
Emma Ladlow
Designer, University of Nottingham Students' Union
Alexis Waller
Design Director, R/GA
Halah El Kholy
In-House Designer, Brew Tea Co
Jess White
Junior Graphic Designer, Just Media Design
Bobby Hendry
Designer, Brilliant Logic
Jessica Bakker
Junior Graphic Designer, Beyond Communications
Lauren Dannenberg
Designer, Mary's Group
Arnold Omanyo
UX/UI Designer, Digital on Demand
Dawn Moloney
Founder, A Making Life
Miranda Mayne
Freelance Graphic Designer
Caroline Keefe
Freelance, Nickelodeon
Paul and Amoni Liddell
Graphic Designers, Westpac CX and Feel
Meredith Wallis
Designer, King & Partners
Ocki Magill
Founder, Letter Bug Studios
Victoire Scherer
Graphic Designer, Marketing Agency
Anika George
Designer, AKQA
Liana Modolo
UX Designer, Rex Software
Kelly Hansen
Graphic Designer, Amazon Books
Mikel McCavana
Designer, Moment
Alexander Wu-Kim
Concept Creative, ANDPEOPLE Australia
Jing Ong
Designer, Autumn
Kirsten McColl
Designer, WH-O
Nicole Rogers
Designer, Birchbox
Pooja Dharia
Branding Designer, FCB Health
Erin Donati
Founder, Harley Quinn & Co.
Jackson Todd
Art Director, Van Der Zwaag
Andy Vargas
Designer, Bitâcora
Moshe Bien
Designer, Nucleus
Crystal Lin
Designer, DNA Design
Stephen Grace
Designer, Christopher Doyle & Co.
Eleanor Rogers
Letterpress Printer, Chapel Press
Andy Tharagonnet
Designer, ThumbsUp
Ben Peters
Freelance Graphic Designer
Brad Holten
Designer, Big Idea
Natalia Baker
Freelance Graphic Designer
Molly Sitter
Studio Designer, Spring St. Social Society
Guy Pittard
Freelance Graphic Designer
Bea Sambalido
Freelance Graphic Designer
Peta Harris
Graphic Designer, Macquarie University
Oceane Combeau
Designer, Fernand et Firmin
Anna Mullin
Illustrator, Sneaky Racoon
Theo Witrylak
Visual Designer, EPAM
Stephanie Antill
Founder, St Clement Creative
Paul McKie and Myles Sharpe
Directors, Autumn
Pete Conforto
Designer, For The People
Roo Cassels
Designer, Big Fish
Nicol Reid
Founder, Little Creative
James Birks
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
David Scott
Designer, The Mix
Jane Durlacher
Graphic Designer, Paper Stone Scissors
Rachel Lee
Freelance Graphic Designer
Janno Saft
Founder, frank wo
Sean Raynor
Designer, Watermark Studio
Vanessa Burgess
Graphic Designer, Tritium
Olivier Adam
Freelance Graphic Designer
Cari Sekendur
Art Director, LMNOP Creative
Alexandra Menzies
Freelance Graphic Designer
Margherita Baldi
Freelance Visual Designer
Tim Jones
Brand Experience Director, venturethree
Carla Scotto
Freelance Graphic Designer
Meg Walker
Designer, Milkshake
Christina Capetola
Designer at Wayfair
Louise Hamer
Design Lead, We Are Empire
Ina Estrada
Founder, Par Vous Designs
Sam Jacobs
Senior Designer, Time Inc.
Ulrika Johnson
Designer, Fantasia Accessories
Henriette van Baren
Graphic Designer, ABC Carpet & Home
Charly Tudor
Graphic Designer, Holdens
Lola Irwanto
Graphic Designer, Princess Polly