30 Years of Shillington: Carl McBride.

For Carl McBride, Shillington truly lives up to its reputation as a life-changing experience. After completing the part-time graphic design course in Manchester, Carl launched a successful design career and years later returned to Shillington as a teacher to guide the next generation of creatives.

In this interview, Carl reflects on how studying at Shillington transformed his path, what it’s like to now be on the other side of the studio, and how design education continues to evolve. His story perfectly captures the heart of Shillington’s 30-year legacy: creativity, connection, and the power of transformation.

Hey Carl! What brought you to Shillington, and what’s kept you here?

I came to Shillington to study design and become a graphic designer, I’d always thought of myself as a creative person and wanted to pursue this as a career. Shillington was the perfect place to nurture and develop this feeling, it changed my life and opened the door to so many opportunities. After working in the industry I’m now grateful to have to returned once more to teach the course to others.

How has Shillington changed or evolved since you joined?

I enrolled on the part time campus course in Manchester, so with the course now being fully online I’d say it has changed a great deal. But thanks to the collaborative programmes we use (Figma, Slack, Zoom) the energy and studio atmosphere is just as a great.

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

As a student it was graduating with the class and being proud of the effort we’d all put in over the past nine months.

As a teacher it's every message I receive from previous students saying they have found their first design role.

What do you love most about teaching design?

Witnessing ideas come to life. It’s amazing to see all the new ways students follow the process and bring their own unique passion and creativity to the briefs we deliver. I remember the first ‘a-ha!’ moment when something clicks in to place. And watching others now have that same feeling and moment of realisation is always great to see!

How have you seen design education change over the years?

I studied illustration at University over ten years ago and when I left I didn’t feel ready or prepared for a career in the industry. This feeling was shared by friends I had who had studied other creative courses (such as graphic design). If I had known back then that there was a shorter, cheaper and more industry relevant course available I would have opted to save my time, money and get a head start with my career doing that. Shillington is a 100% more valuable option in my opinion.

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

Before you can make something good, you first have to make something.

When you’re stuck in a rut and staring at the screen you have to remember to take the pressure off yourself and just start playing around and creating. Try to have fun and get inspired. The first 10 things you try might be ‘bad’ but keep going and going and you will find something ‘good’ and then you can start to refine and make it really great!

What does 30 years of Shillington mean to you personally?

Incredible to think I’m a small part of something that began when I was four. Here’s to 30 more!

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

The studio atmosphere, along with industry ready portfolios, I’d say it’s the second greatest thing that to prepare you for your career in the industry. It’s very reflective of what it’s like in a studio agency or agency once you find work after graduating.

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

I think everything students now have access to, such as AI tools, will mean the ability to bring ideas to life and realise concepts visually is only going to get stronger and stronger. I think this will lead to ever more impressive junior portfolios.

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

Transformative.

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.