30 Years of Shillington: Georgia Downey.

From student to team member, Georgia Downey’s Shillington story perfectly captures what makes this creative community so special. After completing the full-time course in 2024, Georgia joined the team as a Course Advisor, helping new students take the same leap she once did, turning curiosity and courage into a creative career. In February this year, Georgia moved into the Studio Manager position.

In this interview, Georgia shares what first drew her to Shillington, what it’s like supporting students from enrolment to graduation, and why she believes design education is such a powerful and joyful space. Her reflections are full of warmth, humour, and heart. A true celebration of what 30 years of Shillington is all about: connection, creativity, and community.

Hey Georgia. First up, what brought you to Shillington and what’s kept you here?

Not exactly a glamorous meet-cute, but I came across Shillington while desperately searching every Reddit page I could find for a design course that wouldn’t require years of my life, taking out loans, or some kind of other degree just to figure out how to enrol.

I was in one of the most stressful phases of my life, having just taken a huge leap of faith by leaving the career I had worked so hard to get into but didn’t feel right for me. Shillington not only ticked all the boxes, but also had the confidence and clarity I needed when my life felt chaotic.

As a student, I was incredibly impressed by the course structure and team, and had never encountered such a friendly and organised company. After graduating, I realised that I wanted to work in a place like that, so I let the staff know that I would be interested in any kind of work. When a job opened, I applied before I even knew what the role was.

Right after each graduate presents their work to their friends, family, and the Shillo Team on graduation day, I look at their screen as they take in all the positive feedback, and they’re always smiling from ear-to-ear.

As a Course Advisor, I get to follow students through their entire Shillo journey. I answer their questions and discuss their worries before they’ve enrolled, I help get them ready for class, I watch their work develop behind-the-scenes, I cheer them on at graduation, and I respond to their “I got a job!” email. It’s an absolute joy to get to be a part of people’s lives like that.

How has Shillington changed or evolved since you joined?

It would be a lot easier to say how Shillington hasn’t changed! Shillington is filled with designers—people who aren’t afraid to dream, critique, reimagine, try new things, update, and evolve. I think it would be very, very difficult to find another company that evolves at the rate that we do.

What’s one memory from your time here that still makes you smile?

This might be a “you just had to be there” moment, but I took this screenshot of two Shillo team members chatting in the graduation celebration comments about restaurant branding, and it makes me laugh every time I think about it.

What do you love most about design education?

My experience in nursing and ballet education left me with the impression that there is a right and wrong way to be, do, and think.

Graphic design education is incredibly special because it cultivates imagination, play, and exploration, and it’s a place where thinking differently is highly valuable and encouraged.

What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving to every student?

Your ego is not necessarily your friend! Once you navigate from feeling competitive with your peers and teachers to feeling inspired by them, you will learn infinitely more.

What does 30 years of Shillington mean to you personally?

30 years of Shillo means 30 years’ worth of Shillo graduates living all around the world, which makes the world feel smaller, warmer and more connected.

What’s something unique about the Shillington experience that hasn’t changed, and shouldn’t?

The teachers, staff, and students are incredibly approachable and personable, and I hope that never ever changes.

How do you think design education will evolve over the next 30 years?

I can’t confidently make a prediction, but I can share how I hope it evolves.

I hope that design education becomes accessible to more people, and that as a society we recognize the value of design education beyond the monetary gains that can come with working in the design field. I hope more people can discover design and gain these skills purely for the joy of it.

And finally. If you could describe Shillington in one word, what would it be and why?

Warm! When I picture Shillington and everyone involved, everything glows with warmth.

Thirty years on, Shillington’s mission remains the same: to empower people everywhere to unlock their creativity and build a career they love. Our course was created in 1996, and from our first studio in 1997 to a global network of designers today, we’ve seen thousands of students transform their lives through design.

Whether it’s through our Graphic Design Course or Motion Design Course, Shillington continues to provide a hands-on, industry-focused education that helps students turn creative potential into professional success.

As we celebrate three decades of design, we’re more inspired than ever by the passion, imagination, and ambition of our community. Here’s to 30 years of creativity, and to shaping the next generation of designers around the world.