Experience Has to Start Somewhere.

If every studio is looking for experience, who's creating the opportunities to gain it?

That question has been sitting with me for a while, and it came into sharp focus in July when I headed along to one of Right Aligned's events in Leeds.

One thing was clear before the night was over. Our industry cares deeply about developing the next generation, but that doesn't mean the conversation was an easy one.

During the panel Q&A I asked something that's often on my mind as someone working in creative education.

"What does the current landscape actually look like for junior designers trying to break into the industry?"

The responses were honest, thoughtful and passionate. They also carried an unmistakable sense of frustration.

The panel spoke openly about the pressures shaping their ability to develop junior talent. Tighter margins. Unpredictable markets. Less time together in the studio. A greater focus on retaining the experienced people they already have.

There were questions too about whether traditional education is preparing graduates with the commercial skills studios actually need. Not just polished portfolios, but evidence of thinking and process. Strong typography, hierarchy and layout. The confidence to present ideas. Fluency in today's tools. And an understanding of how creative thinking turns into real results for a business.

I won't pretend those challenges aren't real. As I listened, I found myself agreeing with a lot of what was being said. But one thought kept coming back to me.

"How does someone become an experienced designer in the first place?"

Because every Creative Director, Design Lead and Senior Designer in that room was once the person looking for their first opportunity. And at some point, someone invested their time in them.

Something else struck me that evening. There were relatively few recent graduates in the room. Maybe that's inevitable at an industry networking event, but it reinforced something I'd been thinking for a while. Some of the most valuable career advice isn't found in a classroom. It's found in conversations with people who've already been where you're trying to go.

Which brings me to the heart of it. Education and industry can't succeed in isolation.

Education absolutely has its part to play. Preparing students isn't just about teaching software. It's about helping people think commercially, communicate their ideas with confidence and build portfolios that reflect the realities of working in a studio.

But education can't do it alone.

Studios, freelancers, educators, funding bodies and the wider creative community all have a role. That might be mentoring. Opening up portfolio reviews. Offering placements. Hosting events. Or simply making time for a conversation with someone trying to get their foot on the ladder.

Everyone on that panel clearly cared about the future of creative talent. That's exactly why I came away feeling optimistic rather than discouraged.

The question was never whether the next generation is good enough. It is.

The challenge isn't creating experienced designers. It's creating more opportunities for people to learn, contribute and eventually become one.

That's our mission at Shillington. We're here to help our graduates find the best opportunities to learn from those already in the industry, and we're always learning from the people and studios who are investing in the next generation so brilliantly.

Finally, a big thank you to the team at Right Aligned for organising such a valuable evening, and to the panellists Simon Forster, Eve Macdonald and Taaryn Brench for being so open and honest with their experiences. Conversations like these are exactly what our industry needs more of.