3 Years since Shillington: Nikol Likja.

Some people come to Shillington to start from scratch. Nikol Likja arrived with four years of experience and a bigger question: how far could she go?

After swapping Albania for New York to study at Shillington, she stopped simply executing briefs and started interrogating them. In this interview, Nikol shares why the intensity became the point, how research now shapes every project she takes on and why the best ideas rarely come from working alone.

Nikol is based in New York, USA and currently works as a Senior Designer at Passport Brand Design.

Hi Nikol! Welcome back. Before enrolling, what was your perception of "graphic design" and how has that definition changed for you now?

I already had around four years of professional experience in design before joining Shillington, so I had a good understanding of what graphic design looked like in practice. What I was looking for was a chance to strengthen my foundations and challenge the way I approached design.

Shillington helped me see design as more than simply executing a brief. It reinforced the importance of research, typography and the thinking behind the work. I became much more intentional about why I was making a design decision, rather than focusing only on how something looked aesthetically.

Was there a specific moment, project, or person that pushed you from being "design-curious" to "design-committed"?

I was already committed to design professionally when I joined Shillington. After working in the industry for several years, I wanted to invest in my education.

Moving from Albania to New York and starting Shillington was a big step for me. The commitment came from wanting to put myself in an environment where I could learn from experienced designers, work alongside other creatives and see how far I could push myself. It felt like an opportunity to reset, learn and take my career in a new direction.

Nikol's Brand Identity & Package Design brief at Shillington, Clementine Urban Garden.

What skill or mindset did you develop at Shillington that you use every single day now?

The biggest thing I developed at Shillington was the importance of research and really taking the time to study and understand a brief before jumping into the design process. I've always enjoyed the research stage of any project, but Shillington guided me with a more structured approach that complemented the way I was already working.

I've since used a similar base process, particularly developing personas and mood boards, across several of my freelance projects, and it has consistently helped me arrive at stronger and more successful outcomes. I've learned that investing time and thought at the beginning of a project always pays off in the final result.

What was the hardest challenge you faced during the course and how did you push through it?

For me, one of the biggest challenges was the intensity and the pace. There was very little time to overthink a project, which forced me to trust the process and be comfortable with experimentation. I learned to put ideas forward, get feedback and keep refining instead of waiting until everything felt perfect.

Was there a moment on the course that shifted how you think and work?

One of our teachers told us, "Become collaborators, not competitors." That really stayed with me. It taught me to be more open to collaboration, to ask for feedback and to share what I know with others. I still carry that mindset into my work today, especially when working as part of a team. I think the best ideas often come from building on each other's perspectives rather than trying to come up with everything on your own.

Nikol's Brand Identity & Web Design brief at Shillington, Palazzo Hotel.

How did learning in a studio-style environment impact the way you think and work?

The studio environment was one of my favourite parts of Shillington. You're constantly surrounded by people working on completely different ideas, and that makes you more aware of how differently designers can approach the same problem.

The teachers were also incredibly kind and resourceful, and I really valued being able to ask questions and receive feedback throughout the process. The environment felt collaborative rather than competitive. And some of the friendships I made there continue today, which is something I really value.

How did the fast-paced, real-world briefs shape your approach to problem-solving or creativity?

The fast pace taught me to trust my instincts and get ideas out quickly. When you have a limited amount of time, you can't spend too long waiting for the perfect solution. You have to explore, make decisions, test things and move forward. Shillington gave me a stronger ability to work within those constraints while still making space for experimentation.

What's something you learned in the industry that you wish you knew while studying?

I learned that your career doesn't have to follow one perfectly planned path. Even with several years of experience, you can move to another country, gain new perspectives or discover a completely different area of design that interests you. I think staying open to those changes is one of the most valuable and gratifying things you can do.

If a future Shillington student asked for honest advice, what would you tell them that isn't on the website?

Take advantage of the pace rather than fighting it. It can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you have homework and several projects happening at once, but that intensity is part of what makes the experience so unique.

I'd also say: be confident in your work, but stay humble enough to take feedback, make changes and keep learning. I think finding that balance is really important in design. You need to trust your ideas and your abilities, while also being open to the fact that there is always room to improve. That balance has helped me create more authentic and thoughtful work throughout my career.

And finally. Looking ahead, what kind of designer do you hope to become?

I want to continue becoming a more thoughtful and well-rounded designer. I'm particularly interested in branding and visual identity, but I don't want to limit myself to one type of project or industry.

Having worked in different environments and with different clients, I've realised how much I enjoy learning from new subjects and translating them visually. Ultimately, I want to make work that is conceptually strong, visually considered and meaningful, while continuing to learn and evolve along the way.

Nikol's story is a reminder that the biggest leaps rarely feel comfortable at the time, and that a willingness to be a beginner again is all you need to get started.

If Nikol's story has you thinking about your own, our graphic design course could be the start of your next chapter.

Discover our graphic design course and explore what you could build in a matter of months, not years.