Meet Anna Kukhareva: 2025 Scholarship Student.

At Shillington, our Half Scholarship Program gives talented creatives the opportunity to study design, refine their skills, and pursue new career paths. One of our 2025 recipients is Anna Kukhareva, a freelance designer with a background in UX/UI who was ready to take her passion for graphic design to the next level.

Since being awarded the scholarship earlier this year, Anna is still immersed in her Shillington studies. Balancing the intensity of briefs and deadlines with the excitement of developing her creative voice. From silencing imposter syndrome to finding confidence in her process, Anna’s story is a reminder of how transformative the Half Scholarship can be.

In this interview, Anna shares her journey so far, what the scholarship has meant to her personally and professionally, and her advice for future applicants considering taking the leap into design.

Hey Anna! It's great to get insight from current Shillington students who have been awarded our Half Scholarship. Let's go back to before you got your 'congratulations' email. What are you up to outside of Shillington's Graphic Design course?

I work as a freelance graphic designer on small projects, mainly in property development. Before that, I had been working as a UX/UI designer.

What motivated you to apply for the half scholarship program?

I had been interested in studying at Shillington for years, especially after shifting from UX/UI to graphic design. The scholarship felt like the perfect chance to finally apply, challenge myself, and show that I would make the most of the opportunity.

How did you approach a creative response for the scholarship?

We were given several questions to answer, and I used each one to share how design makes me feel and how I connect with it. To support my answers, I included mockups of my work so the team could understand my design perspective more clearly.

What was your reaction when you found out you won?

I was honestly shocked. I didn’t expect to receive the letter, and when I did, I jumped, laughed, and screamed all at once. It was pure excitement.

What did receiving the half scholarship mean to you personally and professionally?

It meant everything. Personally, it helped me silence my imposter syndrome for a while. Professionally, I see it as a key to entering the design and branding industry. I wrote in my application that this course would give me the foundation I need to build a career, and I truly believe it has.

Anna's Half Scholarship submission: 'Why Shillington, Design & This Scholarship Matter To Me'.

How would you describe your experience studying at Shillington so far?

At times it feels overwhelming, but in the best way. There are deadlines and assignments, but you’re the one who decides how far to push yourself—how many questions to ask, how many books to read, how much time to dedicate. I wish I had even more time to immerse myself, because I’m really enjoying it.

What were the most valuable skills you’ve learned during the course so far?

The most valuable skill I’ve learned is knowing when to step back. Whenever I get stuck—whether on a school brief or a personal project—I pause and ask myself: What’s my concept? What are my keywords? Am I following the core principles of design? Taking a moment to reset like this almost always helps me find clarity and move forward.

How has the community of teachers and classmates impacted your learning journey?

The support from both teachers and classmates has made the journey much easier. My classmates and I check in with each other every week, sharing encouragement and advice whenever someone struggles. The teachers have also been key—just a few minutes of feedback from them can completely change how I see a project. Once the stress lifts, the ideas start flowing.

What would you say to someone considering applying for the half scholarship?

Be yourself in the application. Don’t rely on clichés or worry about how you “should” present yourself. Show who you are, why you care about design, and why you want to study it. Genuine expression always stands out.

If you could give one piece of advice to future applicants, what would it be?

Use every day at Shillington to train your creative muscle. Design is something you can strengthen through practice, even in small ways—reading for ten minutes, sketching, or experimenting. Treat these months as a golden opportunity to dedicate yourself fully, and the results will be worth it.

Anna is now in her final term at Shillington and will be graduating in mid-December, ready to take the next step in her design career.

Feeling inspired by her journey? Our Half Scholarship Program is now open for 2026!

This is your chance to study graphic design at Shillington, build an industry-ready portfolio, and launch your creative career.

The deadline to apply is 20 October at 5pm EDT.

👉 Apply for the Half Scholarship here