Shillington launches a diversity scholarship for two aspiring graphic designers

Shillington's intensive courses – spread across three months full-time or nine months part-time – are equally popular with school leavers, university graduates looking to build on their degree, and working professionals looking to switch careers. To add to this, it has just announced two Diversity in Design scholarships this year: a Full Scholarship with an industry partner (on Shillington's New York, London and Sydney campuses) and a Half Scholarship for all courses, including its online course, which is open to students across the globe.

Interested? Great! But you need to get a move on. The deadline to apply is 28 June 2022, and you'll need time to prepare your submissions. So read on as we explain who can apply for a Shillington scholarship, what they offer, and how to go about it. (And we'll also hear from past scholarship students about why you should.)

Who can apply?

Shillington's Diversity in Design scholarships are open to aspiring designers from underrepresented groups. So how do they define 'underrepresented groups'? The simple answer is that applicants can self-identify in their applications.

Shillington adds that underrepresented groups may include (but are not limited to) those based on the following: race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes. It's also worth noting that, as with applying to Shillington in general, no design experience is required to apply.

Why it's worth it

There's a little bit of work involved in applying for a Shillington Diversity in Design scholarship. But according to past scholarship students, it really is worth it. "As a black, queer, non-binary designer, Diversity in Design means representation," says 2021 Full Scholarship Student Url Grant. "I should not be selected for a project with the intent to create diversity. I should be one of the multiple identities that make up a team."

Georgina Charles, 2021 Full Scholarship Student, adds that: "The scholarship has changed me as a person as well. It brought me out of my comfort zone, creatively and socially. I've gained a lot of confidence in my abilities, my taste and my future. I've met some amazing people and don't feel like an imposter anymore."

"I really respect and vibe with Shillington's ethos of open learning and inclusivity," says Cindy Cheng, 2021 Shillington Half Scholarship Student. "I'm also inspired by Shillington's outside-the-box approach to education, particularly how they've converged such contrasting elements into a singular experience."

What's on offer?

One full Diversity in Design scholarship is available for September 2022 on either a full-time or part-time course in New York, London or Sydney. This scholarship is made available thanks to a partnership between Shillington and the global strategic brand agency Bulletproof, providing five post-graduate mentorship sessions for the selected scholarship students.

And that's not all! At least one Half Scholarship is also available for any Shillington course, from now until May 2023, either online or at its physical campuses in New York, London, Sydney and Melbourne. If you opt for the online course, you can attend from anywhere in the world with a suitable internet connection. (More details on that here.)

How to apply

To apply for a Shillington Diversity in Design scholarship, you'll need to submit the following by 5pm on 28 June 2022:

• Answers to six questions about you and your interest in design.
• Description of how you are eligible for the Diversity in Design scholarship.
• A creative submission that shows what a Diversity in Design scholarship would mean to you. This can either be in the form of a video under two minutes long or a PDF of fewer than five pages. Note that it must be digital; no physical submissions will be accepted.
• NYC only: proof of high school diploma or GED.

Barclay Rabbidge, 2021 Shillington Half Scholarship Student, explains how he approached his creative submission. "I knew I wanted to create something different; something that wasn't just down the camera interview style. I had the idea of scrapbooking together who I am and why I want to join. Using that as inspiration, I began screen-recording my notes and figured that was an effective way of storytelling."

Where to apply

You can apply for the Diversity in Design scholarship here. You can apply for both the Full Scholarship + Mentorship and the Half Scholarship within the same application form. Applications will be reviewed by Shillington staff, industry partners, and a panel of past Shillington students. Best of luck to all Creative Boom readers!