Meet Izzy Borman-Clerck: 2025 Scholarship Graduate.

At Shillington, our Half Scholarship Program is all about opening doors for passionate creatives who are ready to take the leap into design. Today, we’re catching up with Izzy Borman-Clerck, a marketing professional turned designer, who was awarded a Shillington half scholarship and has since transformed her creative career.

Izzy had been teaching herself design for years and even landed a few freelance gigs, but without a polished portfolio, she found it difficult to access the opportunities she was aiming for. The scholarship gave her the chance to refine her skills, create a professional body of work, and (most importantly) gain the confidence to “back herself” as a designer.

In this interview, Izzy shares her journey from food industry marketing to design, the lessons that stuck with her most at Shillington, and her advice for anyone considering applying for a half scholarship.

Hey Izzy! Let's take it back to last year, what were you doing before studying at Shillington?

Before Shillington I worked in marketing in the food industry, but I’ve always been drawn to graphic design. I taught myself as much as I could and managed to get some freelance gigs, but without a formal portfolio it was difficult to land the kind of design gigs/roles I wanted. Shillington had been on my radar for years. I wanted the opportunity to take my passion and self-taught foundation, refine my skills and create a strong, professional portfolio that would open the door to more creative opportunities.

How did you approach your creative response for the scholarship?

I’ll admit I found it a bit overwhelming at first because of my dyslexia, so I grabbed my sketchbook and mind mapped all the reasons I wanted the scholarship and what it would mean to me. That really helped me organise my thoughts. From there I decided a video would be the best way to introduce myself and share why I love design, and planning it out visually made it much easier to put together.

What was your reaction when you found out you won?

Honestly, I couldn’t believe it at first. I kept refreshing my email and double-checking that it was actually addressed to me. It felt surreal. I was excited, nervous, and full of ALL the emotions. I just felt so grateful for the opportunity.

What were the most valuable skills you learned during the course?

One of the most valuable lessons I took away from the course was actually advice from my lecturer Carl: “back yourself.” That stuck with me because it applies not only to design, but to so many areas of life. It’s so easy to feel lost or second-guess yourself, but having the confidence to trust in your ideas or dreams; whether it’s a design decision or your career path… it is so important. For me, that mindset shift has been just as valuable as the technical skills I learned. You do you!

Izzy's Company Rebrand project at Shillington, Step.

And finally, if you were to give one piece of advice to future applicants, what would it be?

I’d say seriously, GO FOR IT!! And remember… back yourself. If it doesn’t happen the first time, don’t let that stop you from applying again. I actually applied a few years before I was successful. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to people with questions. Most are more than happy to share their experiences, and if someone doesn’t reply, they’re probably just busy.

Feeling inspired by Izzy’s 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 take the first step toward a creative career.

The deadline to apply is 20 October at 5pm EDT, don’t miss out!

👉 Apply for the Half Scholarship here