1 year since Shillington: Teresa Martingnone

At Shillington, we love to celebrate the diverse and inspiring journeys of our students. This story takes you through the path of Teresa Martignone, whose passion for art blossomed from a young age and led them to pursue a career in design and illustration. From the early days of experimenting with different mediums to the challenges of freelance life, Teresa found her creative spark through Shillington's hands-on approach to design.

In this article, we share Teresa's story, her experience at Shillington, and the transformation that empowered her to unlock their full creative potential. Whether you’re considering a creative career or looking to break through your own creative blocks, this journey is sure to inspire you.

Teresa is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Hey Teresa! Welcome back to Shillington, it's been just over a year since you graduated from Shillington.

But before we talk about Shillington, what did you want to be when you were younger?

When I was little, I wanted to be an artist. I wasn’t sure what kind of artist, though, and each birthday would find me obsessed with a new discipline. One year, I wanted a sewing machine; the next, a set of oil paints. I collected napkins for decoupage, old magazines for collages, and experimented with acrylic paint, watercolour, ceramics, porcelain. Pretty much anything I could get my hands on. I was incredibly lucky to grow up in a home where art was the most common form of play, and I was always encouraged to explore new ways of creating.

How about when you got a bit older? Did you pursue creative subjects?

During my teenage years, not much changed. I was usually drawing, both during and after class. Like at home, my school was also a place where I could explore my interests through optional subjects. I chose all the artistic ones: Art History, Arts & Crafts, Drama, Special FX Makeup, Scenography, and so on.

However, it wasn’t until the very end of high school that I decided I would actually pursue a creative career

What were you up to before starting Shillington?

Before Shillington, I was freelancing as an illustrator, but I struggled to find a workflow that worked for me. I often felt unprepared to tackle briefs, and while I had good ideas, I had difficulty putting them on paper. This led to a lot of insecurity in my work, and eventually, I stopped looking for clients altogether.

Teresa's Packaging project at Shillington, Ice Queen.

Based in Auckland, New Zealand, IceQueen is an iceCream brand determined to bring a differentiated product to the market. Made with the best ingredients, their line of eccentric flavours needed a packaging to match.

What made you decide to study at Shillington?

At the time, I was really struggling to put myself out there and find clients. It felt like I was just waiting, hoping for something to change, but deep down, I knew I had to take action. I realized I needed the right tools to bring my ideas to life, to finally get them out of my head and into the world.

My sister had graduated from Shillington a few years earlier, and when I read through the course description, something clicked. I was drawn to how much emphasis they placed on the design process itself. I thought, 'That’s exactly what I need.'

The idea of learning a clear, structured way to transform raw thoughts into real, tangible designs felt like a lifeline during a time when I was creatively stuck.

So how was your Shillington experience?

It’s hard to find the right words, but when I think back to my time at Shillington, I always end up smiling. Those 12 weeks were some of the most rewarding I’ve had. Not just because of the amazing teachers and classmates, but because I’d never felt so creatively productive in my life.

For the first time, I was creating work consistently. Work I actually liked and felt good about. It felt like I finally got past the block, almost without realising it. Even when I hit a wall, it was so satisfying to know I could fall back on the process we were being taught, and eventually, things would click into place.

I spent many (VERY) late nights working on assignments and projects, but it was usually because I didn’t want to stop. I constantly had that feeling of being on a roll that I didn’t want to get off of. Even though I was tired, probably not seeing enough sunlight, and definitely not drinking enough water, I felt amazing.

The vibe in the classroom was unmatched. Our class quickly grew very close, and we spent a huge part of our independent work hours collaborating via Zoom calls. Even though we were working on individual projects, it felt like a team because everyone knew so much about each other’s work. For me, my classmates’ input and feedback were an incredibly valuable part of the Shillington experience, and keeping each other company throughout entire nights made the whole journey so much fun and heartwarming.

I think a big part of the group dynamic working so well was the role the teachers played. For me, it was the perfect balance of them being incredibly knowledgeable, inspiring designers, while also being approachable, funny, and sometimes a little unhinged (cough cough, Simon). The classroom felt like a safe space to explore, try, ask, fail, laugh, start over, and also to say, 'Wow, this thing I just did is pretty awesome.' They were supportive during stressful or frustrating times, and their feedback was always precise and insightful. Today, when working on a project, I often think, 'What would their feedback be?' and I honestly wish I could run every piece I make by them. (HUGE shoutout to Carl, Shrenik, Simon, and all the guest teachers we had during the course.)

What was the best bit of the day during your classes?

I really enjoyed the moments when we were sent into breakout rooms to work on briefs. There was always this sense of anticipation and excitement as the brief was being presented. Like an anxious energy building up, ready to dive in. The breakout rooms were great because our class was fairly large, and this format helped us get to know each other better. I think it played a big role in creating that dynamic of being one big group of friends.

Do you have any particular fond memories from the course?

Probably the late-night Zoom calls during portfolio time. I know it might sound strange, how doing homework until incredibly late hours became one of my fondest memories, but I’d go back to those nights in a heartbeat. We had so much fun sharing experiences, frustrations, daily life stories, and often a drink. It was amazing to see everyone pushing each other forward. The sense of satisfaction when someone improved their project felt like an accomplishment of your own.

Teresa's Off Screen Shillington project, LMAO Comedy Festival.

Entertainment for the whole family, LMAO Comedy Festival brings fun, play and laughter to Manchester. With comedians from all over the world and gigs for all ages, this event is for everyone to enjoy.

We know it can be an intense experience, would you do it anything differently if you could do it all over again?

Well, funny story.

I actually got the dates mixed up and had my portfolio projects almost ready a week before the actual submission date. While it gave me a few extra days to polish the projects, having the correct dates would have probably saved me a fair amount of stress. So yeah, if I were to do it again, I’d make sure to properly write down the dates.

Do you still have a favourite piece from your Shillington portfolio?

Yes, my favorite piece was (and still is) the Packaging brief (above). It was a project that gave us so much freedom to take it in any direction, and it was amazing how the teachers embraced and encouraged even the wildest ideas. I feel like it’s a project that evolved so much from the first submission to the final portfolio piece, and it really showed me how far I can push my work. I also had the chance to bring in my illustration background, which was the ultimate goal for me, so I felt incredibly satisfied with the outcome. And designing for an ice cream brand inspired by drag queens? The dream.

What are you doing for creative inspiration at the moment?

I used to rely a lot on external sources for inspiration: traveling, visiting new places, museums, and so on. While those experiences still work wonders, I’ve also put a lot of effort into creating a workspace that inspires me on its own. These days, my studio is my main source of creativity. My formula: the right books, plants, art supplies, endless notebooks, and a good view. Add Vienna by Billy Joel and a cup of coffee, and it works like a charm.

Do you have any goals for the next year?

I actually just quit the job I got right after Shillington. I was working as an in-house designer, and while it was an amazing experience and incredibly formative, I felt like it naturally came to a close. Now, I’m feeling that creative restlessness and want to explore new challenges. I’m ready to dive back into the freelance world, now that I feel confident to do so. My goal is to work on projects I’m passionate about and strike a balance between graphic design and illustration. I’ve also set myself the challenge of learning a new skill this year to add to my toolkit. I'm currently on the Shillington Motion for Graphic Designers course, as well as an animation course with an animator I really admire!

I'm so excited!

Thanks for stopping by Teresa! We can't wait to see your Motion work at graduation in a couple of weeks!

Check out more of Teresa's work.

If you're interested in something new, check out our Graphic Design course.