Hear straight from our graduates.
I had only just graduated from high school, so studying at Shillington was the first thing outside of school that I have done. I really wanted to get straight into it and become a designer.
Art Director, Van Der Zwaag
Jackson Todd
What’s your current job title/company?
I work as Art Director at Van Der Zwaag. Van Der Zwaag combines strategic thinking and an experimental approach in the development of effective branding, graphic design and creative content. Van Der Zwaag loves design and ensure contemporary outcomes and relevant outcomes for every project.
Why did you choose to study at Shillington?
Shillington was the first college that I looked at after talking to some friends who had graduated from there. They said that they loved their time there, they loved the length of the course and the fun class environment. I then looked at student work on the website and immediately fell in love with the outcomes from people who have only been designing for 3 months. I didn’t bother to look at any other courses. I knew this was the right one for me.
I had only just graduated from high school, so studying at Shillington was the first thing outside of school that I have done. I was excited! I knew for a while that I was a creative. I really wanted to get straight into it and become a designer.
Since then I knew that it has been the correct decision. Having worked in a studio designing identities for award winning restaurants fresh out of Shillington. To now being an Art Director at my own studio create for amazing brands that inspire me as well. It all is a dream come true.
What was the most valuable thing you learnt from your teachers?
To never stop, to continue moving forward and push your ideas further. That was the most valuable thing I learnt. It has stuck with me with every thing I do and create. Even in starting my own business!
How did you find the classroom environment?
It was always fun. My classmates and teachers were always super supportive and fun from day one. Whether it was at the couches in the library or while we were getting coffee in our breaks we always had fun and would lift each other up.
Being in the class and during lectures it is treated similar to a studio environment as well. So the transition from college into workplace was surprisingly seamless. And for that I’m very grateful.
But! Most importantly the environment made it a whole lot easier from me to make friends and enjoy making design.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting at Shillington, what would it be?
Have fun and be nice to everyone! Back yourself and back your creations! Work at a pace and rate that you feel comfortable with and don’t worry if someone is way ahead of you. But most importantly—have fun! (Sorry that’s more than one!)
Visit Jackson’s website and read his full interview on the blog.
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Jackson Todd
Art Director, Van Der Zwaag
I had only just graduated from high school, so studying at Shillington was the first thing outside of school that I have done. I really wanted to get straight into it and become a designer.
Art Director, Van Der Zwaag
Jackson Todd
What’s your current job title/company?
I work as Art Director at Van Der Zwaag. Van Der Zwaag combines strategic thinking and an experimental approach in the development of effective branding, graphic design and creative content. Van Der Zwaag loves design and ensure contemporary outcomes and relevant outcomes for every project.
Why did you choose to study at Shillington?
Shillington was the first college that I looked at after talking to some friends who had graduated from there. They said that they loved their time there, they loved the length of the course and the fun class environment. I then looked at student work on the website and immediately fell in love with the outcomes from people who have only been designing for 3 months. I didn’t bother to look at any other courses. I knew this was the right one for me.
I had only just graduated from high school, so studying at Shillington was the first thing outside of school that I have done. I was excited! I knew for a while that I was a creative. I really wanted to get straight into it and become a designer.
Since then I knew that it has been the correct decision. Having worked in a studio designing identities for award winning restaurants fresh out of Shillington. To now being an Art Director at my own studio create for amazing brands that inspire me as well. It all is a dream come true.
What was the most valuable thing you learnt from your teachers?
To never stop, to continue moving forward and push your ideas further. That was the most valuable thing I learnt. It has stuck with me with every thing I do and create. Even in starting my own business!
How did you find the classroom environment?
It was always fun. My classmates and teachers were always super supportive and fun from day one. Whether it was at the couches in the library or while we were getting coffee in our breaks we always had fun and would lift each other up.
Being in the class and during lectures it is treated similar to a studio environment as well. So the transition from college into workplace was surprisingly seamless. And for that I’m very grateful.
But! Most importantly the environment made it a whole lot easier from me to make friends and enjoy making design.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting at Shillington, what would it be?
Have fun and be nice to everyone! Back yourself and back your creations! Work at a pace and rate that you feel comfortable with and don’t worry if someone is way ahead of you. But most importantly—have fun! (Sorry that’s more than one!)
Visit Jackson’s website and read his full interview on the blog.
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