Meet Jose Chacon: 2025 Scholarship Student.

At Shillington, we believe in giving passionate creatives the tools and confidence to turn their ambitions into reality. One of our 2025 Half Scholarship recipients, Jose Chacon, is a perfect example of that transformation.

Before studying at Shillington, Jose was juggling odd jobs from freelance design to retail, while trying to find his place as a full-time artist. When he discovered the Half Scholarship Program, he saw it as more than financial support, it was a lifeline. It offered the opportunity to step away from survival mode and toward a sustainable, creative career.

Now deep into his studies, Jose is embracing every challenge the course has to offer from mastering typography and grid systems to developing design systems in Figma. In this interview, he shares how the scholarship changed his trajectory, what he’s learned so far, and his advice for anyone ready to take the same leap into design.

Hey Jose! We've just entered the final stages of your course at Shillington! We can't wait to see your portfolio start to take shape, and for you to show it off in December. But before we get to that, what were you doing before studying at Shillington?

Before studying at Shillington, I was supporting myself through a variety of odd jobs (everything from freelance design to retail) all while trying to establish myself as a full-time artist. While I gained great discipline and client-facing skills, I realised I needed to merge my creative drive with a more practical, commercially viable skill set. That's what ultimately led me to focus on graphic design and enroll in the program.

What motivated you to apply for the half-scholarship program?

What truly motivated me to apply for the half-scholarship program was the realisation that my current situation (working paycheck to paycheck) was a direct barrier to my future. I felt genuinely stuck and helpless in a cycle where all my energy was spent surviving, not progressing. I was working long hours just to cover bills, leaving zero time or resources for the professional education I craved. When I saw the Shillington scholarship opportunity, it wasn't just a financial break; it was a clear sign that I could break free from that cycle. It represented the one viable path to pivot my career and finally invest in myself. I applied because I was ready to trade financial stress for the hard work of building a creative, sustainable future.

How did you approach your creative response for the scholarship?

My approach to the creative response was highly intentional: I wanted to show Shillington exactly where I stood (creatively and technically) at that moment, rather than trying to pretend I was a seasoned professional. Creatively, this allowed me to showcase my raw aesthetic sensibilities and my use of color and composition that I'd honed through my art background. Technically, I submitted work to show my fluency in Illustrator and my self-taught skills in Photoshop. It was an exercise in vulnerability, where I essentially said, 'This is my current skill set and potential; imagine what I can do with your training.

What was your reaction when you found out you won?

When I received the news, I was beyond ecstatic. Honestly, there was a huge flood of relief, too. It felt like the universe was validating the enormous risk I was taking by pursuing this career change. For so long, I felt stuck in a cycle of just making ends meet, and the scholarship immediately broke that cycle. I took it as a strong sign that I was finally taking the next right step toward a better future. In that moment, the vision of a creative, sustainable career stopped being a distant dream and became a tangible, actionable goal that I was now fully committed to achieving.

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

Receiving the half-scholarship was incredibly meaningful, both personally and professionally. Personally, it meant someone saw my potential, specifically. It meant that the experienced educators at Shillington saw past my non-traditional background and recognised the drive and creative foundation I already possess. That validation was huge. Professionally, it transformed my future from an abstract hope into a concrete plan. It signaled that I was no longer on my own trying to self-teach and hustle; I now had a top-tier institution backing me and investing in my success. It gave me the confidence and permission to take this life-changing leap and fully commit to becoming a professional designer.

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

I'd describe my time at Shillington as both challenging and exciting. The challenging part comes from the deep dives into areas I was a beginner in, like advanced typography and grid systems. Having to quickly master the technical aspects of each brief while still developing a strong conceptual idea is a constant but welcome challenge. The exciting part is seeing my creative background finally channelled into commercial design solutions. The instant feedback and the chance to experiment with real-world briefs, from branding to packaging, make every day a rush. It's a high-pressure environment, but that pressure is what forges your skills and prepares you for the industry.

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

The most valuable skill I've learned so far has definitely been mastering Figma. This went far beyond just learning a new interface; it was about adopting the collaborative, iterative workflow that modern design demands. Learning Figma proved crucial because it unlocked systematic design thinking, enabling me to create and utilise components, auto-layout, and design systems to work efficiently and ensure consistency across large projects. Furthermore, I learned to approach prototyping and User Experience (UX) by quickly building interactive mock-ups and thinking through the user's journey, which ensures my work is not just visually appealing but functional and user-friendly. Beyond the software itself, the course has been invaluable in teaching me the professional skill of presenting my work and articulating my design decisions with clarity and confidence.

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

The community at Shillington has been absolutely essential to my learning journey. The teachers are much more than instructors; they act as genuine mentors and industry experts who constantly push us on the conceptual side, challenging the 'why' behind every design decision, which is crucial for professional growth. They provide real-world context and tailor their advice to our individual portfolios, preparing us for the job market. The classmates, meanwhile, are a constant source of inspiration and accountability. Because we all come from such diverse professional backgrounds, seeing their unique approaches to the same brief always inspires me to push myself creatively. We constantly share feedback, celebrate each other's breakthroughs, and collaborate to solve tricky technical problems. This supportive but ambitious atmosphere makes the intense pace of the course manageable and truly dynamic.

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

To anyone considering applying for the half-scholarship, I would say, unequivocally: Do it, and do it without hesitation. Don't let your current circumstances, whether it's financial strain or a lack of confidence, be the reason you talk yourself out of a life-changing opportunity. I know what it's like to feel stuck and think a program like this is out of reach. This scholarship isn't just a discount; it's the bridge that allows you to shift from surviving to building the career you want. You are already putting in the hard work and have the desire, so trust that the effort you put into the application is the single most important investment you can make in your future right now.

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

If I could give future applicants one piece of advice, it would be to stay true to yourself, but keep an open mind and understand that those two ideas actually work together here. Staying true to yourself means showcasing your unique perspective, your background, and your individual aesthetic in your application. Don't try to guess what Shillington wants to see; show them who you are creatively. However, once you start the course, the open mind part is non-negotiable. Be ready to discard your assumptions, accept critique on work you love, and dive headfirst into difficult subjects. The course is designed to push you beyond your comfort zone, and the only way to succeed is by remaining teachable and embracing the challenge of becoming a flexible, professional designer.

Feeling inspired? 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 next step toward your creative future.

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

👉 Apply for the Half Scholarship here