Shillington College of Graphic Design Manchester manchester

If you are interested in design, willing to work hard and get as much out of the course as possible, then Shillington is the best place to go to learn graphic design. Studying abroad will be an unforgettable experience and you will definitely learn a lot from it. It’s so much more than only learning the theory behind graphic design. You’ll learn the design thinking and how to turn that into a great visual design. I moved from the Netherlands to study and the cool thing about studying abroad is of course discovering a new place and culture, meeting new people, sharing an interest and inspiring each other. It is all part of the adventure! The teachers are great, they make you feel at home and take your ideas and work seriously. The thing I loved of doing this course abroad, is that I got to focus myself 100% on it. I was surrounded with people who all had the same goal: becoming a graphic designer. You must work hard and go all in, but don’t forget to explore the city as well and have a lot of after-school drinks with your classmates!

At first it felt like a huge risk quitting the steady career I had built for years, but Shillington has genuinely been the best investment and career choice I’ve ever made! I can honestly say that I have learnt more in the 9 months at Shillington than I did in the 3 years at university and know others that would say the same! Shillington is a well-recognised course in the design industry, with grads all over the globe smashing it whether they work for huge agencies, own their own studio or are amazing freelancers.

Studying with Shillington changed my life and was the best money I ever spent on my happiness. I graduated from Shillington in 2011 and quite soon after I left Shillington I got my first design job in fashion, and I stayed with them for four years. It was an amazing learning experience, and got me to the level of Art Director. These days I run my own freelance business and founded Akasha Yoga Life. I still follow the same creative process we were taught at Shillington, and that includes any branding I do for my own business.

What an experience – loved every minute! Expect to work very hard, challenge yourself and learn a lot. An intense and rewarding experience that has resulted in me rapidly getting to work as a designer. Would do it all again if I could!

I was at a huge turning point in my life when I decided to enrol at Shillington, it was the best decision I have ever made. I’ve learnt so so much in the past 9 months and I wouldn’t have changed anything about my Shillington experience! My teachers were so incredible and patient! Thanks to Shillington I’ve met an amazing bunch of people and gained so much knowledge and I’m so excited for what the future holds for me now!

Shillington gave me the opportunity to really study and learn about the core fundamentals and the theoretical side of graphic design. There was a lot I needed to learn and Shillington gave me the tools I needed to feel more confident as a designer. Regardless of the situation we were faced with in regards to the pandemic, the teachers made every day a truly unforgettable one—they are incredible and consistently give 100%. The whole experience itself was life changing and I feel more equipped now to apply for work I wouldn’t have done previously.

Hey there, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re wondering should you enrol onto this course I’d say do it. The reviews here speak for themselves and the course is all this and more. It was one of the best decisions I have made to date and well worth the investment in both time and money. The work I have produced as a result of the course, I could only dream about at the start. Yeah there were times when I questioned whether I could do it but I got to the end. The tutors are approachable and they push you to be the best you can be. I loved every minute of it and you will too. The connections you make with class mates will stay with you for the rest of your life, why keep wondering, make that first step today and book onto an open night ASAP

My Shillington experience was incredible. Every day working on new challenging briefs that taught me specific skills I needed to be a graphic designer but while learning in a way that is identical to what I encounter now, Skills that I use day in and day out I really wouldn't be where I am today without it. Since Shillington I've worked as a designer now for 5 years and loving every second, freelancing for companies like the BBC I couldn't recommend Shillington more.

I spent a long time looking for the right design courses and i heard nothing but incredible things about shilo and the studio style learning. So when I lost my job last March I decided that I would head back to Manchester for 3 months in the September 2020. what a fun filled world wind those three months were! When we were in the final stretch of school, I applied for a job as an in house graphic designer - I chucked shilos name in the mix as my current portfolio (at the time) was very illustration heavy and they wanted someone that was more editorial layout and UX/UI driven and I didn’t really have anything at the time, so i explained what I was doing at shilo and where they were helping me fill in the gaps, when I came to my skills. I got offered the job a week later and once I finished my portfolio I sent it over to show I wasn’t telling a fib! Shilo really gave me the confidence I needed to put myself out there and to trust my gut and love everything I do. And I can’t thank you all enough! Cheers Shillo xx

I cannot recommend this course enough. I decided to enrol at Shillington after considering a change in career paths. I spoke to a senior designer who said, "You can always spot a Shillington portfolio a mile away." which sealed the deal. The tutors are talented and inspirational and really did make the experience what it was. I graduated during lockdown so had the course transition fairly smoothly from in-class to online. The college as a whole pulled out all the stops to make sure everyone was happy with the education they were receiving under unusual circumstances. Even after graduation, there are resources to help you stay inspired and keep developing to where you want to be. The education and relationships I've formed are invaluable, better than my university experience and well worth the investment. I still keep an eye on their social media to see all the great content being produced.