Hear straight from our graduates.
Shillington definitely was that platform that allowed me to get into the career I wanted in a short space of time. It’s a fantastic course to develop your skills.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Ben Peters
What does your typical day look like?
I’m currently freelancing as a graphic artist and working on a number of exciting brands in the fashion and health industries. I spend my time working between home, local cafes and a office space in Brunswick. I’m a strong believer in using your skills and opportunities to create the life you want to live, and for me that is a good balance between work and life. I usually jump on to the computer first thing in the morning; I find this takes the stress of the rest of the day. I’ll grab a coffee and head to the office where I meet with the rest of the team. We’ll prioritise what we want to achieve today and then knock it out. At night I work on developing my personal projects. For me this structure allows me to generate a income but also keeps me motivated as I know I have time to do the things outside of work that are getting me closer to my goals.
What do you love about design?
I love that there are no rules and you have the freedom to express yourself every day in so many ways. I get to express emotions and experiences through design that might be used on multiple products. I love it; every day you’re putting yourself into your work and the journey is so enjoyable and rewarding. Plus, you’re getting paid to do it!
When did you study at Shillington?
I studied at Shillington in 2012. I was blessed to have two incredible teachers, who both had really different styles but complimented the diversity of the industry. This style of study—an intensive three month course—was exactly what I was looking for and more beneficial to me than all my years at university.
What was your first job after graduation?
My first job after graduating was as an intern at Nana Judy, a local independently-owned street wear label. It was the dream opportunity for me, and two months in I was asked on full-time as their Graphic Designer. I learnt so much from this experience. Shillington’s learning structure helped prepare me for the fast-paced deadlines of the real world!
How did your experience at Shillington shape and influence your career?
Shillington provides a fantastic learning environment on so many levels. The fast-paced nature of the course ensures no two days are the same. It prepares you for the real world where jobs need to be finished in a matter of a few weeks or even a few days. Universities tend to drag out projects across a longer period of time which may allow you to develop your skills, but it doesn’t promote quick decision-making and concept development. Shillington allowed me to make sure my skills and knowledge of the Adobe programs where up-to-date. And if I’m being specific? My new knowledge of shortcuts and quick keys could possibly be the most beneficial thing I took from Shillington!
Any advice for someone trying to decide if they should sign up for the course?
It’s never an easy decision to take an alternate path than the majority. But usually, those who want it bad enough will find a way. Shillington definitely was that platform that allowed me to get into the career I wanted in a short space of time. It’s a fantastic course to develop your skills. The graphics industry is so broad. Whether you’re into food, fashion or travelling the globe, combining that with graphic design gives you the opportunity to create a life filled with passion and purpose! Melbourne has the most start-ups per capital in the world, you could be next. Live the dream!
Rachel Urquhart
Founder, Pony Gold Studio
Lori Beth Kaye
Senior Product Designer, The Iconic
Ray Wong
Designer, Oink Creative
Keiran McCann
Graphic Designer, Victoria’s Secret
Emily Campos
UX Designer, Wix
Jaira Adlawan
Senior Visual Designer, Sephora
Ani Monteleone
Designer, The Wall Street Journal
Hamish Snow
Designer, Josephmark
Eleanor Robertson
Designer, Paul Belford Ltd
Gerald Torto
Strategist, Re Agency
Linda Gao
Designer, HBO
Ella Donald & Charlotte Carnegie Brown
Co-Founders, Studio Duzi
Will Batrouney
Graphic Designer, Ignite Online
Sinead Murphy
Freelance Graphic Designer
Bianca Oggiano
Designer, Design Haus Liberty
Christopher J Porter
Designer, I See Sea
Dominika Stanczyk
Designer, Open Water
Katie Lodge
Business Development Manager, Frost* collective
Amee Wilson
Art Director, Clemenger BBDO
Jordan Demetriou
Junior Designer, Principals
Ashley Ronning
Illustrator and Founder of Helio Press
Emily Somers
Founder, Bravery Co.
Anara Davletaliyeva
UX Designer and Developer, Appliances Online
Erin Gale
Designer, Target
Tiffany Yee
Designer, Forever 21
Amy Sheehan
Art Director, Insider Inc.
Emma Ladlow
Designer, University of Nottingham Students' Union
Braden Floris
Designer, GoFundMe
Alexis Waller
Design Director, R/GA
Halah El Kholy
In-House Designer, Brew Tea Co
Alexander Rog
Junior Designer, oOh!
Jessica Bakker
Junior Graphic Designer, Beyond Communications
Bianca Chu
Senior Designer, eBay
Tally Thompson
Graphic Designer, Awesome Creative
Greg Bemis
Creative, Nike
Arnold Omanyo
UX/UI Designer, Digital on Demand
Tahmena Lutfi
Digital Designer, Qantas and Jetstar Hotels
Meredith Wallis
Designer, King & Partners
Miranda Mayne
Freelance Graphic Designer
Lindsay Koffler
Graphic Designer, Refinery29
Bobby Hendry
Designer, Brilliant Logic
Anika George
Designer, AKQA
Mark Osmond
Designer, Thumbs Up!
Lily Moore
Designer at Sotheby’s
Liana Modolo
UX Designer, Rex Software
Victoire Scherer
Junior Graphic Designer, Neoscape
Mikel McCavana
Designer, Moment
Kelly Hansen
Graphic Designer, Amazon Books
Alexander Wu-Kim
Concept Creative, ANDPEOPLE Australia
Kirsten McColl
Designer, WH-O
Nicole Rogers
Designer, Birchbox
Frankie Young
Founder, Studio Neubau
Pooja Dharia
Branding Designer, FCB Health
Jackson Todd
Art Director, Van Der Zwaag
Dawn Moloney
Founder, A Making Life
Caroline Keefe
Freelance, Nickelodeon
Sophie Lord
Creative Director, Hello May
Ocki Magill
Founder, Letter Bug Studios
Andy Vargas
Designer, Bitâcora
Moshe Bien
Designer, Nucleus
Crystal Lin
Designer, DNA Design
Stephen Grace
Designer, Christopher Doyle & Co.
Jing Ong
Designer, Autumn
Paul and Amoni Liddell
Graphic Designers, Westpac CX and Feel
Eleanor Rogers
Letterpress Printer, Chapel Press
Andy Tharagonnet
Designer, ThumbsUp
Erin Donati
Founder, Harley Quinn & Co.
Ben Peters
Freelance Graphic Designer
Shillington definitely was that platform that allowed me to get into the career I wanted in a short space of time. It’s a fantastic course to develop your skills.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Ben Peters
What does your typical day look like?
I’m currently freelancing as a graphic artist and working on a number of exciting brands in the fashion and health industries. I spend my time working between home, local cafes and a office space in Brunswick. I’m a strong believer in using your skills and opportunities to create the life you want to live, and for me that is a good balance between work and life. I usually jump on to the computer first thing in the morning; I find this takes the stress of the rest of the day. I’ll grab a coffee and head to the office where I meet with the rest of the team. We’ll prioritise what we want to achieve today and then knock it out. At night I work on developing my personal projects. For me this structure allows me to generate a income but also keeps me motivated as I know I have time to do the things outside of work that are getting me closer to my goals.
What do you love about design?
I love that there are no rules and you have the freedom to express yourself every day in so many ways. I get to express emotions and experiences through design that might be used on multiple products. I love it; every day you’re putting yourself into your work and the journey is so enjoyable and rewarding. Plus, you’re getting paid to do it!
When did you study at Shillington?
I studied at Shillington in 2012. I was blessed to have two incredible teachers, who both had really different styles but complimented the diversity of the industry. This style of study—an intensive three month course—was exactly what I was looking for and more beneficial to me than all my years at university.
What was your first job after graduation?
My first job after graduating was as an intern at Nana Judy, a local independently-owned street wear label. It was the dream opportunity for me, and two months in I was asked on full-time as their Graphic Designer. I learnt so much from this experience. Shillington’s learning structure helped prepare me for the fast-paced deadlines of the real world!
How did your experience at Shillington shape and influence your career?
Shillington provides a fantastic learning environment on so many levels. The fast-paced nature of the course ensures no two days are the same. It prepares you for the real world where jobs need to be finished in a matter of a few weeks or even a few days. Universities tend to drag out projects across a longer period of time which may allow you to develop your skills, but it doesn’t promote quick decision-making and concept development. Shillington allowed me to make sure my skills and knowledge of the Adobe programs where up-to-date. And if I’m being specific? My new knowledge of shortcuts and quick keys could possibly be the most beneficial thing I took from Shillington!
Any advice for someone trying to decide if they should sign up for the course?
It’s never an easy decision to take an alternate path than the majority. But usually, those who want it bad enough will find a way. Shillington definitely was that platform that allowed me to get into the career I wanted in a short space of time. It’s a fantastic course to develop your skills. The graphics industry is so broad. Whether you’re into food, fashion or travelling the globe, combining that with graphic design gives you the opportunity to create a life filled with passion and purpose! Melbourne has the most start-ups per capital in the world, you could be next. Live the dream!
Brad Holten
Designer, Big Idea
Natalia Baker
Freelance Graphic Designer
Guy Pittard
Freelance Graphic Designer
Bea Sambalido
Freelance Graphic Designer
Oceane Combeau
Designer, Fernand et Firmin
Charly Tudor
Graphic Designer, Holdens
Anna Mullin
Illustrator, Sneaky Racoon
Theo Witrylak
Visual Designer, EPAM
Stephanie Antill
Founder, St Clement Creative
Paul McKie and Myles Sharpe
Directors, Autumn
Pete Conforto
Designer, For The People
Nicol Reid
Founder, Little Creative
David Scott
Designer, The Mix
James Birks
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
Jane Durlacher
Graphic Designer, Paper Stone Scissors
Rachel Lee
Freelance Graphic Designer
Romayne Gadelrab
Freelance Graphic Designer
Janno Saft
Founder, frank wo
Roo Cassels
Designer, Big Fish
Vanessa Burgess
Graphic Designer, Tritium
Olivier Adam
Freelance Graphic Designer
Molly Sitter
Studio Designer, Spring St. Social Society
Cari Sekendur
Art Director, LMNOP Creative
Alexandra Menzies
Freelance Graphic Designer
Tim Jones
Brand Experience Director, venturethree
Carla Scotto
Freelance Graphic Designer
Meg Walker
Designer, Milkshake
Christina Capetola
Designer at Wayfair
Louise Hamer
Design Lead, We Are Empire
Ina Estrada
Founder, Par Vous Designs
Chrystal Christie
Photographer/Graphic Designer, One Round Entertainment
Ulrika Johnson
Designer, Fantasia Accessories
Sam Jacobs
Senior Designer, Time Inc.
Sean Raynor
Designer, Watermark Studio
Irina Manning
UX Designer, Manning Labs
Margherita Baldi
Freelance Visual Designer
Henriette van Baren
Graphic Designer, ABC Carpet & Home