11 Reasons Why Graphic Designers Love Teaching at Shillington

Teachers are the ones who inspire, encourage and bring out the best in ourselves even when confidence is low. At Shillington, our teachers do all that and more. All practising graphic designers — they bring with them diverse and rich industry experience to shape the creatives of the future. Design education has never been more relevant, and the brilliant minds we have on board at Shillington love to share their knowledge.

Read on through these eleven reasons Shillington full-time, part-time and online teachers from around the globe — from New York to Sydney and London — enjoy teaching graphic design.

1.  Teaching design is challenging and inspiring

“I love how challenging and inspiring teaching is, no day is quite the same. You are definitely kept on your toes by the students! I am also a total people person. I love nothing more than to get to know the students as individuals, watching them grow, develop and create things that they did not know was possible.” Fiona Martin, Online Teacher at Shillington

2.  Teaching design makes an impact on students’ lives

“I love to teach as it’s amazing to see the impact you can make on someone’s life by helping them rediscover their creative side and hopefully make a career out of it also! It’s also a lot of fun to get to know the students throughout the year and see their personalities shine through their work!” Spencer Harrison, Part-Time Teacher at Shillington Melbourne

3. Teaching design is a way to share your passion

“As far as I can remember I have always told people that I wanted to be a teacher when I grow up, forcing my baby sister and my younger cousins to sit in my ‘class’ after school and assigning them ‘homework’ that I made up. I am naturally giving, love sharing my passion for design with people who are equally passionate. I have a natural motherly instinct and love to see people thrive. For the past few years, I have been learning so much through some of the younger designers I have worked with and I want to learn more from people who are from different backgrounds than me, and who are with fresh eyes.” Olivia Chen, Part-Time Teacher at Shillington Sydney

4. Teaching design cultivates total reciprocity

“My most favorite thing about teaching is to see a sparkle in the face of a student when they realized they can do something new. And the best part is that—in some capacity—you can always learn something else in return. It’s total reciprocity.” Thiago Eichner, Full-Time Teacher at Shillington New York

5. Teaching design enables you to help others on their creative journey

“I spend everyday in a room with a group of people of all ages from all over the world. Some have left jobs they were unhappy with. Some have always known design was what they wanted to do. Everyone is always so different and may otherwise have never come into contact with each other, however they all share one common interest, to become a Graphic Designer. I get to help them on their journey.” Johnny Boardman, Part-Time Teacher at Shillington London

6. Teaching design is a challenge of bringing out people’s individual best

“To be honest, I wouldn’t teach just anywhere—it’s the Shillington approach that I love. We operate the classroom like a design studio, focusing on positive culture, design thinking and the most up to date technical skills to our industry. I love the challenge of showing people where to look—not how to see—in order to bring out their individual best. I also love being surrounded by passionate and talented junior designers (my students) and some of the best senior designers and art directors (my colleagues).” Tia Queen, Online/Part-Time teacher at Shillington Brisbane

7. Teaching design is sharing what you’ve been taught

“The famous Mr. Miyagi once said ‘Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better.’—I felt that. I teach so I can share with future designers the lessons and strong principles my teachers shared with me.” Lovish Saini, Full-Time Teacher at Shillington Manchester

8. Teaching design is inspirational, and helps open up the world and foster the imagination of others

“I’ve been so fortunate to have had some amazingly inspiring and influential teachers throughout my life; people who helped open up the world, who believed in me and helped foster my imagination. I love having the opportunity to try to return the favour and pass along the things I’ve learned.” Jamie Lawson, Teacher at Shillington Online

9. Teaching design is giving back to the design community

“After working in the industry for almost a decade, I wanted to give back to the design community, and this is the best way I know how. Being at the forefront and witnessing the students progress I think is super rewarding.” Tim King, Full-Time Teacher at Shillington Sydney

10.  Teaching design is creating space to learn something new

“For me it’s about giving back, I’m a firm believer that if you share what you’ve learned you create space to learn something new yourself. To help people be prepared for entering the creative community is a great honor, it’s so exciting and rewarding seeing the students grasp what they have learned and then execute those skill sets.” Jimmy Muldoon, Online Teacher at Shillington New York

11. Teaching design is helping people find where they fit in

“I love that moment when you see students’ eyes really open to the world of design—to see that design really is everywhere—and to help them find where they fit in. Being able to support them in developing their potential as new designers is incredibly rewarding and inspiring.” Frankie Young, Full-Time Teacher at Shillington Brisbane

Are you interested in teaching graphic design? We’re always on the lookout for new people to join the team in New York, London, Manchester, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane –> Work with us.