Hear straight from our graduates.
I was looking for a short course that would boost my confidence. Shillington was the perfect match.
Designer, Fernand et Firmin
Oceane Combeau
Did you always know you wanted to be creative?
In a way I always wanted to be creative, but I never openly said it. It just seemed too out of reach to ever be able to earn a living with what, as a kid, looked like a hobby. I always had good grades and teachers in France tend to steer you towards what you are capable of doing, not what you actually want to do. It took me a while then, trying and quitting several studies and working in different fields to find and embrace the graphic design path.
What was it like launching your own freelance studio, Fernand et Firmin?
Starting to work as a freelancer is a bit of a strange process. It’s difficult really knowing where to start, where to get the clients and how to eventually make them come to you. After Shillington, I printed 20 copies of my portfolio and sent them around to different design studios around Europe. I believe people and especially graphic designers always enjoy both printed goods and snail mail, so a lot of them contacted me. It didn’t always turn into a work opportunity, but the meetings I had were always very interesting.
What’s your favorite thing about working in the creative field?
I have a few corporate clients and love being challenged by data. Most people would drown in the information, but I love giving them back a clear, understandable layout, infographic or icon. Design is an unskippable step for any business to get their message through. I love witnessing the difference in the customer response after smart design has been applied. It’s then I really feel I’ve brought something to the business.
Why did you decide to study at Shillington?
Before deciding to go to Shillington, I already made up my mind about graphic design, I wanted to start freelancing and was already working with a couple of clients on really small scale projects. My main issue was—I had zero confidence in my work. And anyone I was working with could feel it.
I was looking for a short course that would boost my confidence, and Shillington seemed to be the perfect match. A big part of freelancing in graphic design is about educating your clients and guiding them towards the right decisions. It’s a collaboration all the way through the working process. Before Shillington, I was absolutely unable to do that. The course improved my skills in ways I wouldn’t have imagined and gave me confidence to handle all the aspects of freelancing.
Visit Oceane’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
I was looking for a short course that would boost my confidence. Shillington was the perfect match.
Designer, Fernand et Firmin
Oceane Combeau
Did you always know you wanted to be creative?
In a way I always wanted to be creative, but I never openly said it. It just seemed too out of reach to ever be able to earn a living with what, as a kid, looked like a hobby. I always had good grades and teachers in France tend to steer you towards what you are capable of doing, not what you actually want to do. It took me a while then, trying and quitting several studies and working in different fields to find and embrace the graphic design path.
What was it like launching your own freelance studio, Fernand et Firmin?
Starting to work as a freelancer is a bit of a strange process. It’s difficult really knowing where to start, where to get the clients and how to eventually make them come to you. After Shillington, I printed 20 copies of my portfolio and sent them around to different design studios around Europe. I believe people and especially graphic designers always enjoy both printed goods and snail mail, so a lot of them contacted me. It didn’t always turn into a work opportunity, but the meetings I had were always very interesting.
What’s your favorite thing about working in the creative field?
I have a few corporate clients and love being challenged by data. Most people would drown in the information, but I love giving them back a clear, understandable layout, infographic or icon. Design is an unskippable step for any business to get their message through. I love witnessing the difference in the customer response after smart design has been applied. It’s then I really feel I’ve brought something to the business.
Why did you decide to study at Shillington?
Before deciding to go to Shillington, I already made up my mind about graphic design, I wanted to start freelancing and was already working with a couple of clients on really small scale projects. My main issue was—I had zero confidence in my work. And anyone I was working with could feel it.
I was looking for a short course that would boost my confidence, and Shillington seemed to be the perfect match. A big part of freelancing in graphic design is about educating your clients and guiding them towards the right decisions. It’s a collaboration all the way through the working process. Before Shillington, I was absolutely unable to do that. The course improved my skills in ways I wouldn’t have imagined and gave me confidence to handle all the aspects of freelancing.
Visit Oceane’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
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