Hear straight from our graduates.
The teachers take the time to get to know everyone and how each person works. The way that they mentor and really push to get the best out of you is why, I think, the course is so successful.
Graphic Designer, Holdens
Charly Tudor
Why did you choose Shillington?
I’d worked for about six years in the greeting card industry as a creative manager, and really missed being a hands on designer. I became more and more curious about graphic design and loved that it spanned across so many areas. After making the decision to change career, I was pretty eager to just get straight on with it. I had read about Shillington in Computer Arts and was drawn to the fact that I could spend three months studying in a way that prepared me for industry and end up with a really comprehensive portfolio—and seeing the quality of previous students work really sold it to me.
How does designing make you feel?
A complete mix of things. There is the first part of a project when I feel really inspired, things start to slot together and I get excited about ideas. Then there tends to be the period in the middle of “oh sh*t, is this concept even any good?”, followed by a little bit of anxiety (I’m told this tends to be when your best ideas are formed). Then, determination kicks in and when things start to come together again my confidence builds and I get a real feeling of pride. Maybe if I was to put it into one word, it would be passionate … or just confused!
Did you make any meaningful connections with Shillington teachers or fellow students during the course?
It is such an intense three months and you are all in it together, so you end up being like a little (slightly strange) family. We had a lot of laughs, and all the students really supported each other, especially towards the end when we were all in the depths of portfolio work. The teachers take the time to get to know everyone and how each person works. The way that they mentor and really push to get the best out of you is why, I think, the course is so successful.
What’s it been like making the transition from design student to designer? Any tips or advice for our recent graduates?
It is scary. Although you are equipped with all your Shillington knowledge, it is still daunting stepping foot in a studio for the first time. Suddenly the briefs that were pretend before, are now very real and for real clients. But I found those scary things soon become the things that make you love your job. I would just say enjoy it, be curious, and don’t be afraid to pick the brains of the designers around you.
Visit Charly’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
The teachers take the time to get to know everyone and how each person works. The way that they mentor and really push to get the best out of you is why, I think, the course is so successful.
Graphic Designer, Holdens
Charly Tudor
Why did you choose Shillington?
I’d worked for about six years in the greeting card industry as a creative manager, and really missed being a hands on designer. I became more and more curious about graphic design and loved that it spanned across so many areas. After making the decision to change career, I was pretty eager to just get straight on with it. I had read about Shillington in Computer Arts and was drawn to the fact that I could spend three months studying in a way that prepared me for industry and end up with a really comprehensive portfolio—and seeing the quality of previous students work really sold it to me.
How does designing make you feel?
A complete mix of things. There is the first part of a project when I feel really inspired, things start to slot together and I get excited about ideas. Then there tends to be the period in the middle of “oh sh*t, is this concept even any good?”, followed by a little bit of anxiety (I’m told this tends to be when your best ideas are formed). Then, determination kicks in and when things start to come together again my confidence builds and I get a real feeling of pride. Maybe if I was to put it into one word, it would be passionate … or just confused!
Did you make any meaningful connections with Shillington teachers or fellow students during the course?
It is such an intense three months and you are all in it together, so you end up being like a little (slightly strange) family. We had a lot of laughs, and all the students really supported each other, especially towards the end when we were all in the depths of portfolio work. The teachers take the time to get to know everyone and how each person works. The way that they mentor and really push to get the best out of you is why, I think, the course is so successful.
What’s it been like making the transition from design student to designer? Any tips or advice for our recent graduates?
It is scary. Although you are equipped with all your Shillington knowledge, it is still daunting stepping foot in a studio for the first time. Suddenly the briefs that were pretend before, are now very real and for real clients. But I found those scary things soon become the things that make you love your job. I would just say enjoy it, be curious, and don’t be afraid to pick the brains of the designers around you.
Visit Charly’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
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