30 Years of Shillington: Lucy Kirkwood.
Based on the Gold Coast, Lucy Kirkwood brings warmth, creativity, and a genuine belief that anyone can learn design. As part of Shillington’s global teaching team, Lucy has helped students from all walks of life, from scientists to singers, discover their creative potential and transform their careers.
In this interview, Lucy shares how design education has evolved in recent years, what she loves most about teaching, and why the Shillington community feels more like a family than a school. Her reflections capture the heart of what has made Shillington thrive for 30 years: care, creativity, and the courage to grow through the “messy middle” of the design process.
Lucy, what brought you to Shillington and what’s kept you here?
I always wanted to teach design and the flexibility of online teaching with Shillington was a dream come true. I love the course and truly believe it’s the best way to learn design.
How has Shillington changed or evolved since you joined?
The design industry as a whole has evolved so much in the past 3 years largely due to the introduction of AI so I’d say that has been the biggest change with the course, and is constantly being updated to reflect the newest time saving tools for us!
What’s one memory from your time here that still makes you smile?
When all my students surprised me for my birthday with koala backgrounds…New Yorkers getting into the Aussie spirit.
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What do you love most about teaching design?
I love that creativity can be taught. Growing up I was under the impression you are either born “arty” or not but teaching design and idea generation is my favourite part of the course. It proves creativity is a skill we can all learn and practise everyday.
I also love meeting students who have joined Shillington from a completely different background. We see scientists, singers, truck drivers become designers in just 9 months and it’s so amazing to witness.
How have you seen design education change over the years?
It’s changed so much since I went to university and I love how much focus there is on strong concepts over the visuals now.
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving to every student?
Practice sitting in discomfort. It’s a reminder that creative growth happens in the messy middle, the space between brief and solution when you’re spiraling and questioning every career choice you’ve ever made. We may feel the chaos and the urge to rush the answer but the longer you practice sitting in the icky spot before solution, and looking forward to the tension, the better designer and life problem solver you’ll become.
What does 30 years of Shillington mean to you personally?
I’ve so proud of the legacy that Shillington has created. What an achievement and delighted with everything Andy has done for the global design community.
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What’s something unique about the Shillington experience that hasn’t changed, and shouldn’t?
The care we show to our students. I’ve never met more caring and dedicated staff that truly support their students and love their jobs.
How do you think design education will evolve over the next 30 years?
I think as AI improves we will be less on the tools, and have to get more creative and push our concepts harder to stand out.
If you could describe Shillington in one word, what would it be and why?
Family - the Shillington family will always be there to nurture growth and celebrate the wins of our designers
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.
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