Learn from designers with industry expertise.
I love the hands-on element of the craft, the thinking and imagination that goes into the process, and the delight of landing on an outcome. It’s always an adventure.
Lead Teacher
Online
Dahlia Ishak
Dahlia Ishak is a contract Designer & Art Director for various types of agencies and studio across Australia, US and Canada. Working independently has given her the flexibility to pursue an interest in business and start her own ventures including a Co-Working Cafe (now closed), a Specialty Coffee Shop and a newly launched Bar. She in is the works of launching a studio that will focus on Branding & Design for Hospitality, Food & Beverage and Event Industries because it brings together a combination of her passions for creativity, business, community and design.
What do you love about design?
Design is like being a detective who interprets the clues around them. It starts with asking why, and can lead to endless possibilities. It is an avenue for exploration and problem solving. I love the unique details that make up each project and problem, where each new piece of information is a discovery. Through research and conversation we uncover new perspectives, characters and meanings and distill them into unexpected outcomes and solutions. I love the hands-on element of the craft, the thinking and imagination that goes into the process, and the delight of landing on an outcome. It’s always an adventure.
Why do you teach?
I teach because I want to give back. I am an avid learner and am constantly inspired by hearing from other’s experiences and skillsets. I am so thankful for teachers, mentors, speakers and those who are generous with sharing their knowledge and experiences. It is such a simple and effective way to contribute to someone’s journey and support their growth. I am so eager to share my passion for this industry, and to encourage and help our students on their exciting new path.
Tell us about your design career outside of Shillington.
I started out as an art director at an advertising agency in Australia. Over the years I became fascinated with coffee shops that were founded on a mix of care, craft and culture. It inspired me to open and operate a hybrid cafe & co-working space for fellow freelancers and creatives, where I discovered a passion for building inviting and functional spaces that encourage community. I soon realized that food & beverage sectors bring people together and are brimming with creativity. I now work in branding for hospitality and retail sectors, where we help clients open shops, develop products, and create genuine and memorable experiences for their customers. I also own my own coffee shop and a bar, which keeps me stimulated and inspired, and give me practical insights into running a business which helps me to connect to my clients.
What or who are you loving right now?
I’m forever inspired by business biographies. Reading them often feels like fiction because of all twists and turns, and the ups and downs. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that anyone who dares to try something new (to them) will be knocked around a little, but will ultimately find a way. It’s motivating and inspiring, and it gets my creativity flowing because it reminds me that anything is possible if you’re prepared to persevere.
An understanding of business creates value for clients and is an essential tool for running any kind of sustainable creative practice. It put things in perspective and helps direct my focus when it comes to clients and my own projects.
If you were a typeface, what would you be?
Something casual, masculine, and with just a hint of quirky.
What’s your favourite blog?
I enjoy the in-depth branding overviews found on Brand New and podcasts such as On Process (by Shillington instructor Adam Bubsy) Australian Design Radio and DSR Branding Podcast I also love feeling that i’m hanging out when listening to TheKnoseKnows, which is always great for a laugh
I love the hands-on element of the craft, the thinking and imagination that goes into the process, and the delight of landing on an outcome. It’s always an adventure.
Lead Teacher
Online
Dahlia Ishak
Dahlia Ishak is a contract Designer & Art Director for various types of agencies and studio across Australia, US and Canada. Working independently has given her the flexibility to pursue an interest in business and start her own ventures including a Co-Working Cafe (now closed), a Specialty Coffee Shop and a newly launched Bar. She in is the works of launching a studio that will focus on Branding & Design for Hospitality, Food & Beverage and Event Industries because it brings together a combination of her passions for creativity, business, community and design.
What do you love about design?
Design is like being a detective who interprets the clues around them. It starts with asking why, and can lead to endless possibilities. It is an avenue for exploration and problem solving. I love the unique details that make up each project and problem, where each new piece of information is a discovery. Through research and conversation we uncover new perspectives, characters and meanings and distill them into unexpected outcomes and solutions. I love the hands-on element of the craft, the thinking and imagination that goes into the process, and the delight of landing on an outcome. It’s always an adventure.
Why do you teach?
I teach because I want to give back. I am an avid learner and am constantly inspired by hearing from other’s experiences and skillsets. I am so thankful for teachers, mentors, speakers and those who are generous with sharing their knowledge and experiences. It is such a simple and effective way to contribute to someone’s journey and support their growth. I am so eager to share my passion for this industry, and to encourage and help our students on their exciting new path.
Tell us about your design career outside of Shillington.
I started out as an art director at an advertising agency in Australia. Over the years I became fascinated with coffee shops that were founded on a mix of care, craft and culture. It inspired me to open and operate a hybrid cafe & co-working space for fellow freelancers and creatives, where I discovered a passion for building inviting and functional spaces that encourage community. I soon realized that food & beverage sectors bring people together and are brimming with creativity. I now work in branding for hospitality and retail sectors, where we help clients open shops, develop products, and create genuine and memorable experiences for their customers. I also own my own coffee shop and a bar, which keeps me stimulated and inspired, and give me practical insights into running a business which helps me to connect to my clients.
What or who are you loving right now?
I’m forever inspired by business biographies. Reading them often feels like fiction because of all twists and turns, and the ups and downs. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that anyone who dares to try something new (to them) will be knocked around a little, but will ultimately find a way. It’s motivating and inspiring, and it gets my creativity flowing because it reminds me that anything is possible if you’re prepared to persevere.
An understanding of business creates value for clients and is an essential tool for running any kind of sustainable creative practice. It put things in perspective and helps direct my focus when it comes to clients and my own projects.
If you were a typeface, what would you be?
Something casual, masculine, and with just a hint of quirky.
What’s your favourite blog?
I enjoy the in-depth branding overviews found on Brand New and podcasts such as On Process (by Shillington instructor Adam Bubsy) Australian Design Radio and DSR Branding Podcast I also love feeling that i’m hanging out when listening to TheKnoseKnows, which is always great for a laugh
Andrew Shillington
Founder, Global
Anthony Wood
CEO, Global
Clare Terry
Director, Australia
Natalia Zuluaga
Director of Operations, Global
John Palowski
Head of Course Content, Global
Chris Norman
Head, Online
Cathy Sison
Head, New York
Jack Trotman
Head, London
Clay Allison
Head of Experience, Global
Alex Daley
Experience Lead, Northern Hemisphere
Ella Shillington
Experience Manager, Australia
Meg Bathard
Experience Assistant, London
Andy Dion
Experience Assistant, New York
Sara Mazzoni
Head of Marketing—Mat Leave, Global
Laura Carrick
Marketing & Communications Specialist, Global
Oli Stevenson
Marketing & Copywriting Lead, Global
Nicki Vleisides
Lead Course Advisor, Global
Dina Shirin
Course Advisor, Global
Kym Rohman
Lead Teacher, London
George Simkin
Lead Teacher, London
Kim Melvin
Lead Teacher, New York
Tim King
Lead Teacher, Australia
Dahlia Ishak
Lead Teacher, Online
Thiago Eichner
Lead Teacher, Online
Annette Dennis
Lead Teacher, Online
Nick Smith
Course Content Creator, Global
Shrenik Ganatra
Course Content Creator & Teacher, New York
Dan Wilson
Teacher & Special Projects, London
Rich Tucker
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Michelle Smalley
Graphic Design Teacher, Sydney
Spencer Harrison
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Amy Prus
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Claudia Rivera
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Carly Larsson
Graphic Design Teacher, New York
Micke Lindebergh
Graphic Design Teacher, Sydney
Andy Judd
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Wayne Smith
Graphic Design Teacher, Melbourne
Justin Carey
Graphic Design Teacher, New York
Adam Busby
Graphic Design Teacher, Brisbane
Marssaié Jordan
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Bonnie Eichelberger
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Femi Coppi
Graphic Design Teacher, Melbourne
Dave Bird
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Alessia Mazzarella
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Hilary Archer
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Laura Moore
Graphic Design Teacher, New York
Tina Victoria Afshar
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Mitch Reyes
Graphic Design Teacher, Brisbane
Olivia Chen
Graphic Design Teacher, Sydney
Mags Straatman
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Elena Passeggi
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Anastasia Lihou
Graphic Design Teacher, Brisbane
Sam Jacobs
Graphic Design Teacher, New York
Rachel Broaders
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Marco Invernizzi
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Missy Dempsey
Graphic Design Teacher, Sydney
Alexandra Lunn
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Benny Hinman
Graphic Design Teacher, Sydney
Nick Bailey
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Céline Bouichou
Graphic Design Teacher, London
Tessa Canon
Graphic Design Teacher, New York
Nathan Millard
Graphic Design Teacher, Melbourne
Jaimee-Lee Field
Graphic Design Teacher, Sydney
Emily Comfort
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Emma Clark
Graphic Design Teacher, Online
Sarah Napier
Graphic Design Teacher, Melbourne
Anna Meyer
Graphic Design Teacher, New York