Hear straight from our graduates.
It was the most viable option to help me pivot towards design. I wasn’t aware of any other course that caters for the needs of a career changer as well as Shillington’s.
Design and Brand Officer at Historic Houses UK
Rosylvia Wang
Before Shillington, you had a Television and Radio degree from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan and a Masters in History and Culture of Fashion from The London College of Fashion. Why did you choose to make the change over to design?
Imagine a teenage nerd dreaming to become influential and glamorous, like Anna Wintour. That was me. My younger self thought fashion journalism will morph me into an admired butterfly. Well, I still feel socially awkward today.
Instead of media or fashion, I worked in a gallery and a museum for nearly ten years after graduation. I learned that every piece of communication, such as an exhibit label, a leaflet, a projected graphic, a comment card and way-finding signage, is thoughtfully designed. Effective designs have power. It made me want to design.
Why did you choose to study at Shillington? What made our design course stand out from the rest?
My full-time job back then consumed all my focus and energy. If I were to quit my job, my savings could only last several months. A short, intensive, on-the-job style of programme was the most viable option to help me pivot towards design. I wasn’t aware of any other course that caters for the needs of a career changer as well as Shillington’s.
Back to the course, what was your Shillington experience like? Did you face any particular challenges during the course?
Because I quit my job to attend the course, the stakes were high. My body soared with adrenaline every day because I was so scared to fail. It was a wonderful experience working alongside my classmates and tutors who deeply appreciate design.
Debunking my own unhelpful beliefs was the hardest for me. My crazy beliefs included: unless I know every single Photoshop trick, no one will hire me; if my work isn’t voted the best in class, I will never succeed; it’s just too late for me to get started. The reality was, it’d only help if I learn more techniques each day; rework my design; and stop imagining that there is a finish line.
What would you say to someone who is feeling a bit sceptical about the Shillington course?
Before I committed myself to the Shillington course, I did wonder, can’t I just search for tutorials online? In hindsight, it wouldn’t have worked for me. My amazing tutors, who are experienced designers, drilled the ins and outs of a studio life into me. Experiencing working as a designer is drastically different from following online tutorials for design software.
It was the most viable option to help me pivot towards design. I wasn’t aware of any other course that caters for the needs of a career changer as well as Shillington’s.
Design and Brand Officer at Historic Houses UK
Rosylvia Wang
Before Shillington, you had a Television and Radio degree from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan and a Masters in History and Culture of Fashion from The London College of Fashion. Why did you choose to make the change over to design?
Imagine a teenage nerd dreaming to become influential and glamorous, like Anna Wintour. That was me. My younger self thought fashion journalism will morph me into an admired butterfly. Well, I still feel socially awkward today.
Instead of media or fashion, I worked in a gallery and a museum for nearly ten years after graduation. I learned that every piece of communication, such as an exhibit label, a leaflet, a projected graphic, a comment card and way-finding signage, is thoughtfully designed. Effective designs have power. It made me want to design.
Why did you choose to study at Shillington? What made our design course stand out from the rest?
My full-time job back then consumed all my focus and energy. If I were to quit my job, my savings could only last several months. A short, intensive, on-the-job style of programme was the most viable option to help me pivot towards design. I wasn’t aware of any other course that caters for the needs of a career changer as well as Shillington’s.
Back to the course, what was your Shillington experience like? Did you face any particular challenges during the course?
Because I quit my job to attend the course, the stakes were high. My body soared with adrenaline every day because I was so scared to fail. It was a wonderful experience working alongside my classmates and tutors who deeply appreciate design.
Debunking my own unhelpful beliefs was the hardest for me. My crazy beliefs included: unless I know every single Photoshop trick, no one will hire me; if my work isn’t voted the best in class, I will never succeed; it’s just too late for me to get started. The reality was, it’d only help if I learn more techniques each day; rework my design; and stop imagining that there is a finish line.
What would you say to someone who is feeling a bit sceptical about the Shillington course?
Before I committed myself to the Shillington course, I did wonder, can’t I just search for tutorials online? In hindsight, it wouldn’t have worked for me. My amazing tutors, who are experienced designers, drilled the ins and outs of a studio life into me. Experiencing working as a designer is drastically different from following online tutorials for design software.
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