Hear straight from our graduates.
It’s really rigorous and challenging so whilst it may seem like a short period of time, you learn an enormous amount alongside really inspiring and supportive teachers.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Claudia Costa
It’s been four years since you graduated! If you cast your mind back can you remember why you chose Shillington?
I chose Shillington because I kept on seeing your posters everywhere! Also, I was dating someone who’s surname was Shilling so I guess I thought it was fate?! Anyway I was bored in my job and was always jealous of the designer at work who seemed to have much more fun. I came to an open evening and I just knew it was right for me—I couldn’t wait for it to start.
You were working in marketing before the course, why did you decide to make the switch over to the design side of things?
A few reasons really! Mostly, I was looking for something more creative as I found it frustrating to come up with ideas for marketing campaigns and then not be able to execute them myself. Also I craved something that would allow for more flexibility with the ability to freelance easily with a tangible skill that you’re providing.
What have you been up to over the past four years? How has your life changed after Shillington?
Before Shillington I went from working in a job I didn’t enjoy, to working as a full-time designer. I honestly couldn’t be happier that I made the leap! I didn’t ever think that I’d be able to be actually pursue design as a career, I just thought it would be another string to my bow in marketing. But as I grew in skills and confidence I realised it was actually possible.
Since graduating I’ve collaborated with other designers, built my own network of clients, worked in-house for an amazing brand…lots of different things. Sometimes it’s been fun, sometimes it’s been boring (it’s still a job..!), something it’s been scary…but the overriding feeling has been one of total relief that I’m doing something that I love and can see a future in.
You studied on the part-time course in London. What made you choose part-time? Do you think the ability to work and study at the same time has helped you in your career?
I chose part-time because I needed to be able to keep my job and earn money alongside studying. I also liked the idea of being able to really digest what I was learning and build on everything more gradually. Keeping my job also meant that I was given opportunities to use my fledgling design skills at work (I had a very lovely boss who was really encouraging despite some of my early designs being, frankly, terrible!).
Thinking back to the course itself, what was your experience like? Did you face any particular challenges during it?
I absolutely loved the course and look back very fondly on that time as a really pivotal moment in my life and career. Aside from the challenge of finding the time to really dedicate to the work outside of class, the real hurdle was getting over the self-doubt. I think I wasted a lot of time thinking I wasn’t good enough and second guessing my work. So I’d recommend trying to brush those thoughts aside, give yourself permission to experiment, and remember that most people are thinking the exact same thing!
Are you still in contact with anyone from the course? Have you worked or collaborated with any of your fellow Shillumni?
I’m in touch with a couple of friends from the course and whilst I haven’t collaborated with people from my class, I have worked with other graduates from the course on a number of different projects. I definitely feel I can come to the Shillumni community for advice and support.
What would you say to someone who is spectical about the Shillington course?
If you want an intensive, fast-paced course that will set you up with everything you need to start a career in design then I would 100% go for it. It’s really rigorous and challenging so whilst it may seem like a short period of time, you learn an enormous amount alongside really inspiring and supportive teachers.
Visit Claudia’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
It’s really rigorous and challenging so whilst it may seem like a short period of time, you learn an enormous amount alongside really inspiring and supportive teachers.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Claudia Costa
It’s been four years since you graduated! If you cast your mind back can you remember why you chose Shillington?
I chose Shillington because I kept on seeing your posters everywhere! Also, I was dating someone who’s surname was Shilling so I guess I thought it was fate?! Anyway I was bored in my job and was always jealous of the designer at work who seemed to have much more fun. I came to an open evening and I just knew it was right for me—I couldn’t wait for it to start.
You were working in marketing before the course, why did you decide to make the switch over to the design side of things?
A few reasons really! Mostly, I was looking for something more creative as I found it frustrating to come up with ideas for marketing campaigns and then not be able to execute them myself. Also I craved something that would allow for more flexibility with the ability to freelance easily with a tangible skill that you’re providing.
What have you been up to over the past four years? How has your life changed after Shillington?
Before Shillington I went from working in a job I didn’t enjoy, to working as a full-time designer. I honestly couldn’t be happier that I made the leap! I didn’t ever think that I’d be able to be actually pursue design as a career, I just thought it would be another string to my bow in marketing. But as I grew in skills and confidence I realised it was actually possible.
Since graduating I’ve collaborated with other designers, built my own network of clients, worked in-house for an amazing brand…lots of different things. Sometimes it’s been fun, sometimes it’s been boring (it’s still a job..!), something it’s been scary…but the overriding feeling has been one of total relief that I’m doing something that I love and can see a future in.
You studied on the part-time course in London. What made you choose part-time? Do you think the ability to work and study at the same time has helped you in your career?
I chose part-time because I needed to be able to keep my job and earn money alongside studying. I also liked the idea of being able to really digest what I was learning and build on everything more gradually. Keeping my job also meant that I was given opportunities to use my fledgling design skills at work (I had a very lovely boss who was really encouraging despite some of my early designs being, frankly, terrible!).
Thinking back to the course itself, what was your experience like? Did you face any particular challenges during it?
I absolutely loved the course and look back very fondly on that time as a really pivotal moment in my life and career. Aside from the challenge of finding the time to really dedicate to the work outside of class, the real hurdle was getting over the self-doubt. I think I wasted a lot of time thinking I wasn’t good enough and second guessing my work. So I’d recommend trying to brush those thoughts aside, give yourself permission to experiment, and remember that most people are thinking the exact same thing!
Are you still in contact with anyone from the course? Have you worked or collaborated with any of your fellow Shillumni?
I’m in touch with a couple of friends from the course and whilst I haven’t collaborated with people from my class, I have worked with other graduates from the course on a number of different projects. I definitely feel I can come to the Shillumni community for advice and support.
What would you say to someone who is spectical about the Shillington course?
If you want an intensive, fast-paced course that will set you up with everything you need to start a career in design then I would 100% go for it. It’s really rigorous and challenging so whilst it may seem like a short period of time, you learn an enormous amount alongside really inspiring and supportive teachers.
Visit Claudia’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
Becky Dore
Designer, OnThree
Ana Perez
Founder of Anecdota Studio
Shireen Roy
Freelance Multidisciplinary Designer
Daniele Regan
Founder of Danibydsgn
Jeremy Somers
Founder and Creative Director, We Are Handsome
Darsh Seneviratne
Designer, Canva
Ximena Jimenez
Graphic Designer, The Multicultural Centre for Women's Health
Karina Aslikyan
Freelance Graphic Designer for Music
Ayesha Mansour
Freelance Designer, Aah Yes Studio
Georgia Latham
Designer & Strategist, Imagist
Mary Lin
Freelance Graphic Designer
Sophie Bo Schmidt
Freelance UX, Visual & Web Designer
Ben Thaler
Senior Brand Designer, Common
Liam Speranza
Art Director, THE CHARLES
Natalie Taylor
Designer, Mobkoi
Oyinkan Karunwi
Founder & Brand Strategist, Aseda Design Agency
Elizabeth Diffey
Freelance Graphic Designer, Kate McLeod
Rory Knibbs
Designer, The Midnight Club
Stephanie Halovanic
Writer, Pinterest
Eman Abdallah
Graphic & Experience Designer, KAIRO
Mark Osmond
Lead Designer, Whalar
Araki Koman
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
Veronica Humphris
Digital Designer, Mapway
Benjamin Ngooi
Visual Designer, Great Wrap
Khadijah Adbul Nabi
Creative Director & Brand Strategist, Ya Khadijah
Ella Donald & Charlotte Carnegie Brown
Co-Founders, Duzi Studio
Jamie Krups
Design & Communications Manager, BALNCE
Megan Dweck
Senior Design Lead, McKinsey & Company
Miwako Bishop
Regional Creative Director, The Great Room
Eleanor Robertson
Middleweight Designer, Here Design
Kylie Meller
Founder, duosista Web and Graphic Design
Babeth Olde Hanter
Desiger, Doop
Ashley Ronning
Illustrator and Founder, Helio Press
Anara Davletaliyeva
Product Designer, PLAYGROUND XYZ
Amy Sheehan
Design Director, Dotdash
Alexis Waller
Creative Director, For The People
Arnold Omanyo
Freelance Digital Designer
Kelly Hansen
Content Manager, Outreach
Stephen Grace
Senior Designer, Christopher Doyle & Co.
Bea Sambalido
Co-Founder & Creative Director, Renegade Folk
Peta Harris
Graphic Designer, Macquarie University
Pete Conforto
Senior Designer, Canva
Rachel Lee
Freelance Graphic Designer
Olivier Adam
Freelance Graphic Designer
Meg Walker
Freelance Digital Designer
Ina Estrada
Founder & Creative Director, Par Vous Designs