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!
Freelance Graphic Designer
Mary Lin
Mary Lin studied at Shillington New York
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!
Freelance Graphic Designer
Mary Lin
Mary Lin studied at Shillington New York
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.
Becky Dore
Designer, OnThree
Ana Perez
Founder of Anecdota Studio
Shireen Roy
Freelance Multidisciplinary Designer
Daniele Regan
Founder of Danibydsgn
Jeremy Somers
Founder and Creative Director, We Are Handsome
Darsh Seneviratne
Designer, Canva
Ximena Jimenez
Graphic Designer, The Multicultural Centre for Women's Health
Karina Aslikyan
Freelance Graphic Designer for Music
Ayesha Mansour
Freelance Designer, Aah Yes Studio
Georgia Latham
Designer & Strategist, Imagist
Mary Lin
Freelance Graphic Designer
Sophie Bo Schmidt
Freelance UX, Visual & Web Designer
Ben Thaler
Senior Brand Designer, Common
Liam Speranza
Art Director, THE CHARLES
Natalie Taylor
Designer, Mobkoi
Oyinkan Karunwi
Founder & Brand Strategist, Aseda Design Agency
Elizabeth Diffey
Freelance Graphic Designer, Kate McLeod
Rory Knibbs
Designer, The Midnight Club
Stephanie Halovanic
Writer, Pinterest
Eman Abdallah
Graphic & Experience Designer, KAIRO
Mark Osmond
Lead Designer, Whalar
Araki Koman
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
Veronica Humphris
Digital Designer, Mapway
Benjamin Ngooi
Visual Designer, Great Wrap
Khadijah Adbul Nabi
Creative Director & Brand Strategist, Ya Khadijah
Ella Donald & Charlotte Carnegie Brown
Co-Founders, Duzi Studio
Jamie Krups
Design & Communications Manager, BALNCE
Megan Dweck
Senior Design Lead, McKinsey & Company
Miwako Bishop
Regional Creative Director, The Great Room
Eleanor Robertson
Middleweight Designer, Here Design
Kylie Meller
Founder, duosista Web and Graphic Design
Babeth Olde Hanter
Desiger, Doop
Ashley Ronning
Illustrator and Founder, Helio Press
Anara Davletaliyeva
Product Designer, PLAYGROUND XYZ
Amy Sheehan
Design Director, Dotdash
Alexis Waller
Creative Director, For The People
Arnold Omanyo
Freelance Digital Designer
Kelly Hansen
Content Manager, Outreach
Stephen Grace
Senior Designer, Christopher Doyle & Co.
Bea Sambalido
Co-Founder & Creative Director, Renegade Folk
Peta Harris
Graphic Designer, Macquarie University
Pete Conforto
Senior Designer, Canva
Rachel Lee
Freelance Graphic Designer
Olivier Adam
Freelance Graphic Designer
Meg Walker
Freelance Digital Designer
Ina Estrada
Founder & Creative Director, Par Vous Designs