“The journey from Sales & Admin to Design. Meet Shildon.”

Graphic Designer Shildon Pace reignited his spark for design by enrolling in the Graphic Designer Associate course. First, he learnt essential skills to create great designs with the most popular Adobe Suite tools. Then, he wowed the team at marketing agency Bullshark with his stunning portfolio work and scored his first design job. This is his story.

A passion for graphic design. How has your journey been so far?

I had chosen graphic design as my learning path a few years back but following a less than ideal study experience I had interrupted my studies and decided to shift my focus. I worked in sales, admin and even in a bar for 3 years, until I decided that I wanted to go back to my original passion. So I embarked on the Graphic Designer Associate course.

Why did you choose to take up the Graphic Designer Associate course?

I wanted to start where I had left off but was unsure because of my previous experience. The Graphic Designer Associate course was recommended to me by my girlfriend, who had heard great things about ICE Malta’s study experience. So I decided to give it a shot and couldn’t be happier that I did!

How have your new graphic design skills helped you?

During the course, I gained graphic design skills in such a short time while being able to keep my full-time job, and not only did I go back to what I love – taking the course opened up a new career in 6 months only! I learnt the principles of graphic design and how to master Adobe’s tools Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. Today, I work on these essential tools daily and bring my creativity to life through the skills I learned, from designing ads and posters to digital artworks.

What did you like best about your study experience?

My study experience at ICE Malta kept me going and motivated to grab those skills and use them to reach my goal. My educator kept giving me handy tips and helped me build a professional portfolio step by step – which was a game-changer at my job interview. I also loved attending live classes online. I could learn and interact with the rest of the class in real-time while enjoying the flexibility of watching playback content at my own pace. This experience encouraged me so much that I completed the Website Designer Associate course too. The skills gained in both courses complemented each other a lot.

What’s next for you?

I’m at the start of my graphic design career and loving it. The way you see the world truly changes when you step into this world. Every day is different and as someone who loves to learn new ideas and skills, this is perfect for me. My next goal is to widen my digital knowledge by enrolling in the Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing too!

What’s your message to talent who are looking to gain new graphic design skills?

This course will enhance your skills whether you’re starting from zero or already have some design knowledge. At first, I was hesitant because I already had a basic grasp of design, but the Graphic Designer Associate course enhanced my skills and I was able achieve and show more quality in my portfolio. So, my advice is – do not hesitate, go for it!

Shildon’s story shows that a great study experience and a solid knowledge of graphic design and essential tools will enable anyone to put their skills into practice and apply them immediately – whether your goal is creating exceptional designs in your personal or professional life. We’re excited about Shildon’s new beginnings and can’t wait to see how he progresses.