30 Years of Shillington: Dan Wilson.

For Dan Wilson, one of Shillington’s lead teachers, design education is about so much more than software or technique. It’s about people, curiosity, and transformation. From first seeing Shillington’s tube ads in London to guiding hundreds of students through their creative journeys, Dan has experienced first-hand how design can change lives.

In this interview, Dan shares what first drew him to Shillington, how the school continues to evolve with the industry, and why empathy and care remain at the centre of everything we do. His reflections capture what 30 years of Shillington truly mean - a passionate global community that keeps learning, growing, and transforming together.

Hey Dan. What brought you to Shillington, and what’s kept you here?

Like lots of people I saw the tube ads around London and was intrigued by Shillington. I wanted to know how it worked and how it compared to traditional education. To be fully honest I would have loved to have studied at Shillington as University didn't prepare me at all for actually working in the industry.

My first taste of the course came when I got involved with portfolio reviews and I was completely blown away by the standard of the work that I saw. The work was only part of the story though, talking with students who had just spent 3 months or 9 months studying design was really illuminating. The way they spoke about their experience and process was super engaging, so I had to find out more.

Since then I feel incredibly grateful to have worked with so many students to help them realise their goals and in some cases, find their real passion for design. There is no one blueprint for a career in design and the same is true for the people who gravitate to Shillington. Every course is unique because of the varied backgrounds and experience of our students and it’s always great to meet new people who are drawn to design and want to make positive changes in their lives.

You’ve seen so many different students come through with unique backgrounds and goals, and it sounds like that constant variety keeps things fresh. Has Shillington itself evolved alongside those changes in the kinds of students and the wider design industry?

Shillington is never still and never rests on it’s laurels, so everything we do is constantly evolving with the industry, technology and culture as a whole. This means that each term will always offer something new and it’s great to be in an environment that is not trailing behind what is actually happening in the world of design. As a team we are constantly pushing each other and the content we deliver whilst getting industry and grad feedback which is super exciting. This means that as designers and teachers we are also evolving with purpose and it genuinely feels like the entire team and each cohort of students are on this journey together.

Dan's Shillington graduation identity

You can really feel the pride you have in seeing your students thrive. You mentioned how gaining confidence as a teacher helped you connect more deeply with them. Is there one memory from your time here that still makes you smile?

I think my third term of teaching will always have a special place in my heart because it’s when I felt more confident with the content and the Shillington process of teaching. The imposter syndrome had lifted a little and it meant that I could connect more to the students because I didn’t have that barrier of anxiety lurking in the background. Remembering portfolio time with that group always makes me smile and I often reflect on how hard that group worked and how committed they all were. I see the work they are making now 4 years later and I beam with pride knowing that I played a part in their journeys and I am still inspired by what they are designing today.

What do you love most about teaching design?

Every day is a school day with design and that’s not limited to Photoshop updates. Graphic design touches every aspect of our lives and as a result we have the potential to learn about pretty much anything through the lens of design. Through teaching design and working in our studio with students I have learned so much about emerging visual trends, new music, movies, marketing and the emotional journey that we all go on as designers. Through teaching it’s great to introduce people to design fundamentals and get in to techniques of idea generation but I also love the more human and emotive sides of design when you see that spark of an idea realised or the smile on a designers face when they have that eureka moment after hours of scribbling down ideas or creating multiple iterations on screen.

Some of Dan's memories from the last few years on campus.

How have you seen design education change over the years?

There is way less gatekeeping now, which is amazing to see. I want everybody to be able to access the tools and techniques they need to bring their ideas to life.

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

If something does not work, it’s ok! When you are generating ideas you should feel free to try things out. If it does not work, try something else.

What does 30 years of Shillington mean to you personally?

It means the design world is in a better place. 30 years of Shillington grads means we have a great community of designers working in the industry creating amazing work and bringing fresh new ideas into the world. In my time teaching I have seen first hand how much our team really cares about our students and to be part of that network of grads, teachers and wider contributors really feels empowering.

Graphic design is not easy. There are ups and downs constantly throughout your career and knowing that I can reach out to the Shillington community for support is a huge help to me and my process.

Some of Dan's online studio memories.

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

How much we care. We want people to succeed and we want the best results from your work. I've studied as an adult and I'm pretty sure that my lecturer’s didn't know my name, where I was from or anything else about me. BUT that is not what happens at Shillington, as a team we are all fully invested in the work and I want this to continue. Teachers should be passionate about your ideas and your evolution.

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

WOW! BIG question! How about how it will evolve in the next 30 days? Design is shaped by so many factors and tech obviously has a huge impact on how we design and teach so I think that evolution will be driven by AI, more intuitive programs and more focus on motion design. What I find interesting is how we navigate this evolution without losing sight of the power of strong ideas and the human spirit or soul within design. I don’t want to see a rush towards mediocrity and cookie cutter templates for designs, I want to see ideas connecting with real people on a real level.

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

Transformative. Nobody leaves Shillington unchanged. How could you? We cover so much, you meet so many great people, and whatever your motives or end goal you will definitely think differently after graduating. This could be the way you apply design thinking to problem solving or the way you analyse every poster you see or it could be through the confidence you feel as part of a design community.

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.