Jump to content

Learn from designers with industry expertise.

I love being surprised and inspired by design every day.

Course Content Creator & Teacher
Online

Nick Smith

Originally from Birmingham and now teaching in Manchester, Nick Smith has 15 years experience working in the creative industry. Specialising in branding, print and art direction, Nick can bring a wealth of experience and perspective having worked in-house, freelance, agency and also running his own independent studio. For Nick, teaching gives mutual enthusiasm, seeing students getting excited about design and likewise inspiring him.

What do you love about design?

I love being surprised and inspired by it every day. It is exciting that at the start of each project with just a blank piece of paper not knowing where the process will lead you.

Why do you teach?

It is infectious working with the students and fellow teachers. Their intrigue, enthusiasm and passion is contagious.

Tell us about your design career outside of Shillington.

I first worked in-house creating mind numbing mailers for the camera industry. Clipping out 100s of camera and film rolls wasn’t the dream I anticipated 🙂 But it really helped develop the essential skills. I then progressed to working in education design. I have worked various agencies across Birmingham and the West Midlands and had my own little agency Smudge Creative for 5-6 years. A nice little earner which allowed me to down tools for a few months each year to travel and basically have a blast! Then worked at MadisonSoho in Brum, a retail destination agency and then CAB Studios where I was design lead. Now I’m at Shillo, really want to start doing more self initiated and explorative design and colabbing 🙂

What or who are you loving right now?

Design wise —on a recent holiday to Florence I discovered a street artist called Clet Abraham. Simple, witty and eye catching design. Check him out. Love it. Non-design —Now I’ve overcome the terrible attempts at the accents (I’m Brummy bred), I’m loving a bit of Peaky Blinders. ‘Nowbuddy f***s with the Paekee Bloindurs!’ (That’s how you say it!)

If you were a typeface, what would you be?

I’m loving a bit of Montserrat right now. Should I say something more deep or high brow? Soz.

What’s your favourite blog?

The ‘gram.

Visuelle.

Good ol’ Design Week.

Recently started doing OMB (One Minute Briefs) for daily inspiration and conceptual thinking.

Andrew Shillington
Founder & Executive Chairman, Global

John Palowski
Head of Course Content, Online

Jack Trotman
Head of Teaching, Online

Clay Allison
Head of Experience, Online

Ella Shillington
Experience Lead, Online

Nick Smith
Course Content Creator & Teacher, Online

Shrenik Ganatra
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

George Simkin
Lead Teacher, Online

Dan Wilson
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Mags Straatman
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Alessia Mazzarella
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Marco Invernizzi
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Marssaié Jordan
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Michelle Smalley
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Olivia Chen
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Nathan Millard
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Simon Wiltshire
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Elena Passeggi
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Dave Bird
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Amy Prus
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Hilary Archer
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Femi Coppi
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Dahlia Ishak
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Sarah Napier
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Lucy Kirkwood
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Spencer Harrison
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Nick Bailey
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Emma Clark
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Carl McBride
Graphic Design Teacher, Online

Ask a question

Help team photo 1/3 Help team photo 2/3 Help team photo 3/3

The team typically replies within a day

By submitting this form you agree to our privacy notice.
Thanks for getting in touch! We will follow up with you shortly.
Oops, something went wrong. Click "back" to try again. Or contact us.

Apply Today

Course and Intake Date

How it works

Ready to apply for Shillington’s graphic design course? You're four steps away. Select your course, share your details, process your payment and we'll get in touch to confirm all the details.

Still researching? Learn more about our course and view course dates and fees.

Interested in studying online? Use our timezone tool to find course times that work for your location.

Your safety matters to us. Please review our COVID-19 policy. If circumstances change, enrolled on-campus students will agree to transition to partial or complete online learning.

Please hold, loading form...
Please hold, loading form...
Payment
Confirmation

Need help? Let me know.