Hear straight from our graduates.
I was skeptical about Shillington, even while I was going through it. It all sounded too good to be true! But you are dedicated and willing to learn and try new things, you will leave the program ready for real—world design and things will fall into place. I feel I am a prime example of that.
Creative, Nike
Greg Bemis
What do you love about being a designer?
I honestly love every part of it! I love being creative. I love seeing my ideas come to life. I love working with other creative people to make amazing projects. I love problem solving and finding new and unique ways to answer design challenges and questions. I think it is a career that allows you to wear different hats and do a multitude of different things. I love that my days are never the same; every day poses a new question or problem that I have to solve through design.
You’ve been working on some incredible stuff for Nike. Tell us about that!
After finishing Shillington in 2014, my wife and I moved back to Portland after living in New York for two years. I got a job working for a small design agency in town, mostly working with Nike and Jordan Brand. I was lucky enough to work on some amazing projects that allowed me to use an array of skills from illustration and type setting , to overall connecting of retail spaces and brand environments.
After working there for a year, I started working at Nike full-time in the Basketball Footwear category where I create graphics and stories for basketball footwear.
You were already a trained designer when you enrolled at Shillington in New York. Why were you drawn to the course?
I wouldn’t say that I was ‘trained’, I was more self taught with a small amount of classic school training. I had originally enrolled in a four year college program with a major in graphic design in 2010. After completing two years of it I felt overwhelmed by all the prerequisite courses I was forced to take that had nothing to do with art or design. At that point I dropped out, got a job making wooden sunglasses,and started making more art for myself and friends on the side. I did that for a year and then moved to New York.
I tried to get a real design job, but was unable to gain any traction. I heard about Shillington around that time. I went to an Information Session and realized it was the perfect fit for me. It focused on what I was interested in learning and left out all the rest.
What would you say to someone who is skeptical about the Shillington course?
I would say, welcome to the club! I was also skeptical about the program, even while I was going through it. It all sounded too good to be true! It was short, fun and educational. I think, like anything else in life, you get out what you put into it.
If you are dedicated and willing to learn and try new things, you will leave the program ready for real—world design and things will fall into place. I feel I am a prime example of that.
Visit Greg’s website and read his full interview on the blog.
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Keiran McCann
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Jaira Adlawan
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Alexander Rog
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Jessica Bakker
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Bianca Chu
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Tally Thompson
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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
I was skeptical about Shillington, even while I was going through it. It all sounded too good to be true! But you are dedicated and willing to learn and try new things, you will leave the program ready for real—world design and things will fall into place. I feel I am a prime example of that.
Creative, Nike
Greg Bemis
What do you love about being a designer?
I honestly love every part of it! I love being creative. I love seeing my ideas come to life. I love working with other creative people to make amazing projects. I love problem solving and finding new and unique ways to answer design challenges and questions. I think it is a career that allows you to wear different hats and do a multitude of different things. I love that my days are never the same; every day poses a new question or problem that I have to solve through design.
You’ve been working on some incredible stuff for Nike. Tell us about that!
After finishing Shillington in 2014, my wife and I moved back to Portland after living in New York for two years. I got a job working for a small design agency in town, mostly working with Nike and Jordan Brand. I was lucky enough to work on some amazing projects that allowed me to use an array of skills from illustration and type setting , to overall connecting of retail spaces and brand environments.
After working there for a year, I started working at Nike full-time in the Basketball Footwear category where I create graphics and stories for basketball footwear.
You were already a trained designer when you enrolled at Shillington in New York. Why were you drawn to the course?
I wouldn’t say that I was ‘trained’, I was more self taught with a small amount of classic school training. I had originally enrolled in a four year college program with a major in graphic design in 2010. After completing two years of it I felt overwhelmed by all the prerequisite courses I was forced to take that had nothing to do with art or design. At that point I dropped out, got a job making wooden sunglasses,and started making more art for myself and friends on the side. I did that for a year and then moved to New York.
I tried to get a real design job, but was unable to gain any traction. I heard about Shillington around that time. I went to an Information Session and realized it was the perfect fit for me. It focused on what I was interested in learning and left out all the rest.
What would you say to someone who is skeptical about the Shillington course?
I would say, welcome to the club! I was also skeptical about the program, even while I was going through it. It all sounded too good to be true! It was short, fun and educational. I think, like anything else in life, you get out what you put into it.
If you are dedicated and willing to learn and try new things, you will leave the program ready for real—world design and things will fall into place. I feel I am a prime example of that.
Visit Greg’s website and read his full interview on the blog.
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Guy Pittard
Freelance Graphic Designer
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Charly Tudor
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Anna Mullin
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Theo Witrylak
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Pete Conforto
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James Birks
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Jane Durlacher
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Rachel Lee
Freelance Graphic Designer
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Cari Sekendur
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Tim Jones
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Christina Capetola
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Louise Hamer
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Chrystal Christie
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Sam Jacobs
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