Hear straight from our graduates.
Know your portfolio back to front, practice talking about your projects, cater your portfolio to where you’re applying and be authentically you!
Graphic Designer, Colette Werden
Mary Lin
What was the best part of studying in New York? Any suggestions for applicants interested in studying abroad?
The city itself and meeting new people were definitely the best parts of studying in New York. I also met so many amazing people in and out of school who made my whole experience so invaluable. I would definitely encourage anyone who’s interested in studying abroad to do it if they can. My main tips are that you should be organized, especially during the application process to ensure that it goes all smoothly. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with the city (e.g. how public transport works) before you dive into school so you’re all prepared.
Do you think the Shillington course armed you with the skills and confidence needed to launch your career as a designer?
Definitely. By the end of the course, not only did I know that I had a great foundation of design skills and a portfolio that I was proud of. We also received so much feedback from the teachers and the opportunity to interview with a recruiting agency, which all helped me gain the confidence to start applying for jobs.
What advice can you share to help new graduates with preparing for an interview at a design studio?
Know your portfolio back to front, practice talking about your projects, cater your portfolio to where you’re applying and be authentically you!
I also attended a couple of The Design Kids Portfolio Review Nights where I got to present my portfolio to some amazing people in our industry. I received so much valuable feedback from these events so check out if any similar events are running in your city!
Ready Mary’s full interview on the blog, stay up to date with her latest projects and follow her on Instagram.
Know your portfolio back to front, practice talking about your projects, cater your portfolio to where you’re applying and be authentically you!
Graphic Designer, Colette Werden
Mary Lin
What was the best part of studying in New York? Any suggestions for applicants interested in studying abroad?
The city itself and meeting new people were definitely the best parts of studying in New York. I also met so many amazing people in and out of school who made my whole experience so invaluable. I would definitely encourage anyone who’s interested in studying abroad to do it if they can. My main tips are that you should be organized, especially during the application process to ensure that it goes all smoothly. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with the city (e.g. how public transport works) before you dive into school so you’re all prepared.
Do you think the Shillington course armed you with the skills and confidence needed to launch your career as a designer?
Definitely. By the end of the course, not only did I know that I had a great foundation of design skills and a portfolio that I was proud of. We also received so much feedback from the teachers and the opportunity to interview with a recruiting agency, which all helped me gain the confidence to start applying for jobs.
What advice can you share to help new graduates with preparing for an interview at a design studio?
Know your portfolio back to front, practice talking about your projects, cater your portfolio to where you’re applying and be authentically you!
I also attended a couple of The Design Kids Portfolio Review Nights where I got to present my portfolio to some amazing people in our industry. I received so much valuable feedback from these events so check out if any similar events are running in your city!
Ready Mary’s full interview on the blog, stay up to date with her latest projects and follow her on Instagram.
Lauren Stevens
Freelance Graphic Designer/ Junior Designer at NRMA
Ayesha Mansour
Freelance Designer, Aah Yes Studio
Georgia Latham
Intern at Imagist
Mary Lin
Graphic Designer, Colette Werden
Sophie Bo Schmidt
Senior UX Consultant at PeakXD
Ben Thaler
Junior Designer at Common
Liam Speranza
Associate Design Manager at Tushy
Natalie Taylor
Designer, Mobkoi
Oyinkan Karunwi
Founder at Aseda Design Agency
Elizabeth Diffey
Freelance Graphic Designer, Spotify
Julia Hoolahan
Art Director, Home Beautiful
Rory Knibbs
Designer, The Midnight Club
Stephanie Halovanic
Creative Producer, &Walsh
Eman Abdallah
Graphic & Experience Designer, KAIRO
Mark Osmond
Designer, Thumbs Up!
Araki Koman
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
Veronica Humphris
Digital Designer, Mapway
Benjamin Ngooi
Graphic Designer, Cox Architecture
Khadijah Adbul Nabi
Freelance Graphic Designer
Ella Donald & Charlotte Carnegie Brown
Co-Founders, Studio Duzi
Jamie Krups
Creative at Stab Magazine
Megan Dweck
Visual Designer, McKinsey & Company
Miwako Suzuki
Integrated Creative Director
Eleanor Robertson
Designer, Paul Belford Ltd
Kylie Meller
Founder, duosista Web and Graphic Design
Babeth Olde Hanter
Junior Art Director, SOV
Ashley Ronning
Illustrator and Founder of Helio Press
Anara Davletaliyeva
UX Designer and Developer, Appliances Online
Amy Sheehan
Art Director, Insider Inc.
Alexis Waller
Design Director, R/GA
Arnold Omanyo
UX/UI Designer, Digital on Demand
Kelly Hansen
Graphic Designer, Amazon Books
Pooja Dharia
Branding Designer, FCB Health
Stephen Grace
Designer, Christopher Doyle & Co.
Bea Sambalido
Freelance Graphic Designer
Peta Harris
Graphic Designer, Macquarie University
Pete Conforto
Designer, For The People
Rachel Lee
Freelance Graphic Designer
Olivier Adam
Freelance Graphic Designer
Meg Walker
Designer, Milkshake
Ina Estrada
Founder, Par Vous Designs
Henriette van Baren
Graphic Designer, ABC Carpet & Home