Hear straight from our graduates.
It was one of the most challenging and inspiring things I’ve done, and I had no idea I’d get to where I did in only 3 months.
Designer, Big Fish
Roo Cassels
You enrolled at Shillington following a role as an Account Executive. What initially made you realise that graphic design was something you were interested in and wanted to pursue as a career?
I worked in an Advertising agency as an Account Executive for 18 months and I soon realised how frustrating it was for me not to be on the creative side of things. When I started looking for a way out I didn’t know I could retrain as a Graphic Designer without going to University, so Shillington was exactly what I was looking for.
At University you studied Arabic! That’s so interesting but seems such a departure from your job as a graphic designer now. Do you think coming from a different educational background put you at a disadvantage at Shillington?
No, not at all. I think anyone who’s been through University, whatever degree they do, eventually learns how to manage their time and work to deadlines, so I guess it helped. A lot of people are surprised that I took a different path but I found this was the norm at Shillington which was reassuring.
How did you go about the job search following graduation? Did you feel prepared to apply for roles?
Shillington helped a lot with perfecting my portfolio and CV so I felt more confident that I had expected to. I was applying to studios with varying success and then luckily got an internship at Big Fish which has since led to a permanent position. They were impressed with the level I had reached in 3 months in both my software skills and knowledge of design, so thanks to Shillington!
What was your experience of Shillington like? Do you feel it was what you imagined it to be?
It was one of the most challenging and inspiring things I’ve done, and I had no idea I’d get to where I did in only 3 months. I found the teaching and support to be both friendly and professional and got the best out of everyone.
Visit Roo’s website and read his full interview on the blog.
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Roo Cassels
Designer, Big Fish
Vanessa Burgess
Graphic Designer, Tritium
It was one of the most challenging and inspiring things I’ve done, and I had no idea I’d get to where I did in only 3 months.
Designer, Big Fish
Roo Cassels
You enrolled at Shillington following a role as an Account Executive. What initially made you realise that graphic design was something you were interested in and wanted to pursue as a career?
I worked in an Advertising agency as an Account Executive for 18 months and I soon realised how frustrating it was for me not to be on the creative side of things. When I started looking for a way out I didn’t know I could retrain as a Graphic Designer without going to University, so Shillington was exactly what I was looking for.
At University you studied Arabic! That’s so interesting but seems such a departure from your job as a graphic designer now. Do you think coming from a different educational background put you at a disadvantage at Shillington?
No, not at all. I think anyone who’s been through University, whatever degree they do, eventually learns how to manage their time and work to deadlines, so I guess it helped. A lot of people are surprised that I took a different path but I found this was the norm at Shillington which was reassuring.
How did you go about the job search following graduation? Did you feel prepared to apply for roles?
Shillington helped a lot with perfecting my portfolio and CV so I felt more confident that I had expected to. I was applying to studios with varying success and then luckily got an internship at Big Fish which has since led to a permanent position. They were impressed with the level I had reached in 3 months in both my software skills and knowledge of design, so thanks to Shillington!
What was your experience of Shillington like? Do you feel it was what you imagined it to be?
It was one of the most challenging and inspiring things I’ve done, and I had no idea I’d get to where I did in only 3 months. I found the teaching and support to be both friendly and professional and got the best out of everyone.
Visit Roo’s website and read his full interview on the blog.
Olivier Adam
Freelance Graphic Designer
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