Learn from designers with industry expertise.
I love being surprised and inspired by design every day.
Course Content Creator
Global
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.
Good ol’ Design Week.
Recently started doing OMB (One Minute Briefs) for daily inspiration and conceptual thinking.
I love being surprised and inspired by design every day.
Course Content Creator
Global
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.
Good ol’ Design Week.
Recently started doing OMB (One Minute Briefs) for daily inspiration and conceptual thinking.