Our
Students

Where do you work?
I run my own small design company Idyllic Creative.

Describe your typical day as a designer.
My work is split between web design, graphic design and illustration. I work with a lot of small businesses so often I’ll work with them on everything from logo to website and all the things in between like brochures, business cards and blogs. In a typical day I’ll work on a variety of briefs in different stages, so I might be be drawing up some concepts for a logo for part of the day and then switch over to some coding for a website that’s nearing completion.

What do you love about being a designer?
I love the idea of going from a blank canvas to a finished, usable design. You get to use your two hands and your creativity every day to give your clients great solutions and (hopefully) make them smile!

When did you graduate from Shillington?
May 2010.

What area were you working in before the course?
I worked in web, mostly managing websites and doing front-end development.

Did you have any design experience before the course?
A lot of my work spilled over into design and I was competent in several design programs for that reason.

Why did you decide to do the course?
Aesthetic has always been really important to me and even coding and managing websites I was always involved in the design aspects. I really wanted to branch out on my own but felt that in order to do that I needed a better grounding in design fundamentals. I really needed confidence in my design skills.

What was the most valuable thing you took away from Shillington?
I really enjoyed the structured process around creating a design. Learning how to start with nothing but step by step build a concept and then turn it into a design. Instead of just waiting for inspiration to strike there’s steps you take in order to get the design going. I’m never stuck!

How did you find the college environment, facilities and teaching?
I really loved being at the college, it’s a really friendly, helpful environment. It’s not at all competitive or elitist and it has a really great pace – there’s never a dull moment.

How confident did you feel about entering the design industry after you graduated?
By the end of the course I was chomping at the bit to get out there and get my hands dirty! Since leaving I have focused solely on my own business – which happily has lots of clients and is motoring along.

Any advice for someone pondering whether to take the leap into graphic design and sign up for the course?
It’s really wonderful. Not only does it fully prepare you for entering the design world – it’s also a total blast.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I illustrated some banners for the Canada Bay Council that were hung through the streets of that area. It was crazy to see my illustrations three metres high!

Where do you see yourself 12 months from now?
Still doing the exact same thing; running my business, making websites and picking up illustration commissions. It’s my ideal world.