Hear straight from our graduates.
If you are a practical learner, have heaps of self-motivation and love to learn, then Shillington is perfect for you. I loved my time there and I’m so glad I went.
Illustrator and Founder of Helio Press
Ashley Ronning
You said in an interview with Outlier that “you didn’t know [illustrating] was a job until design school”. What’s it like to now work full-time as an illustrator?
I had no idea! I just thought graphic designers did the drawing or you went through a traditional art practice before having work in illustration settings. I really love being an illustrator! Creative problem solving is what drew me to graphic design and its what I love best about illustration.
I’m constantly finding the best way to represent an idea through my work, whether its a commission or my own personal work. There are down sides of course, like trying to keep regular work going and boring business stuff, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything right now.
Why did you decide to study design back in 2011? Why did you choose Shillington? Did you have any previous experience?
I’d studied graphic design in year 12 and really loved it. I was torn between studying the arts and graphic design but went with the uni for the arts. Once I realised it wasn’t for me, I packed up and moved to Melbourne. I looked through quite a few courses before I chose Shillington. I went there because it seemed really practical and I loved the prospect of being finished within a year!
What lessons did you learn at Shillington that you still use in your creative practice today?
Heaps! I feel like I got a really good grasp on photoshop, illustrator and indesign, I use design concepts like hierarchy, alignment and composition in my illustration work all the time, and I learnt how to plan and finesse a project from start to finish.
What would you say to someone considering studying at Shillington?
If you are a practical learner, have heaps of self-motivation and love to learn, then Shillington is perfect for you. I loved my time there and I’m so glad I went.
Visit Ashley’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
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Ashley Ronning
Illustrator and Founder of Helio Press
If you are a practical learner, have heaps of self-motivation and love to learn, then Shillington is perfect for you. I loved my time there and I’m so glad I went.
Illustrator and Founder of Helio Press
Ashley Ronning
You said in an interview with Outlier that “you didn’t know [illustrating] was a job until design school”. What’s it like to now work full-time as an illustrator?
I had no idea! I just thought graphic designers did the drawing or you went through a traditional art practice before having work in illustration settings. I really love being an illustrator! Creative problem solving is what drew me to graphic design and its what I love best about illustration.
I’m constantly finding the best way to represent an idea through my work, whether its a commission or my own personal work. There are down sides of course, like trying to keep regular work going and boring business stuff, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything right now.
Why did you decide to study design back in 2011? Why did you choose Shillington? Did you have any previous experience?
I’d studied graphic design in year 12 and really loved it. I was torn between studying the arts and graphic design but went with the uni for the arts. Once I realised it wasn’t for me, I packed up and moved to Melbourne. I looked through quite a few courses before I chose Shillington. I went there because it seemed really practical and I loved the prospect of being finished within a year!
What lessons did you learn at Shillington that you still use in your creative practice today?
Heaps! I feel like I got a really good grasp on photoshop, illustrator and indesign, I use design concepts like hierarchy, alignment and composition in my illustration work all the time, and I learnt how to plan and finesse a project from start to finish.
What would you say to someone considering studying at Shillington?
If you are a practical learner, have heaps of self-motivation and love to learn, then Shillington is perfect for you. I loved my time there and I’m so glad I went.
Visit Ashley’s website and read her full interview on the blog.
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