30 Years of Shillington: Thiago Eichner.

For Thiago Eichner, Shillington first appeared as a curious line on a New York City subway ad: “Get paid to daydream.” Years later, after building a design career and teaching at Fashion Institute of Technology, he found his way into the Shillington classroom and quickly discovered what makes the place special: a balance of structure and spontaneity, and students who bring their curiosity, passion, and individuality to every brief.

In this interview, Thiago reflects on how Shillington has evolved, the moment a student’s confidence “clicks,” and why design education is now more global, more personal, and more interconnected than ever. His thoughtful perspective captures the heart of Shillington’s 30-year legacy: creativity that transforms, teaching that inspires, and an approach to design that never loses its soul.

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

I first discovered Shillington through a subway ad in NYC: GET PAID TO DAYDREAM. I was already a working designer but instantly impressed by the student portfolios I found online. Years later, while already teaching design at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), a Shillington job listing appeared, and the rest is history. What’s kept me here is the mix of structure and spontaneity in how it teaches design, and the students: curious, passionate, and always evolving.

How has Shillington changed or evolved since you joined?

It’s become even more connected to the real world. Sharper in how it bridges education and industry, yet still deeply human in its approach.

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

I have a few special memories, but one that keeps repeating itself is seeing a student’s first project click. That exact moment when confidence replaces hesitation never gets old.

What do you love most about teaching design?

The exchange. I love that I learn as much as I teach, that ideas move both ways.

How have you seen design education change over the years?

It’s become more inclusive, more global, more digital but also more personal. Students now bring their full selves into their work. Ideas are richer, more alternative. And then there’s AI, which is now part of how we teach and think about creativity.

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

Stay curious, stay kind to yourself, and trust your training. Ah, and make lists so you can cross them out.

What does 30 years of Shillington mean to you personally?

It means legacy. A testament to how creativity can be taught without losing its soul, but also a reminder that good training never leaves you.

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

The intensity. That immersive rhythm that pushes you beyond what you thought you could do.

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

It’ll blur even more with life. It'll be fluid, collaborative, shaped by new technologies yet still rooted in storytelling and ideas.

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

Transformative, because no one leaves the same way they arrived.

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.