Keep Calm and Love New York

According to recent studies by Center for an Urban Future, New York boasts the largest population of designers in the entire nation. No other city in the country has as many leading firms in architecture, landscape design, fashion design, interior design and last but not least, graphic design. Why, you ask? Holly Karlsson, Shillington’s U.S. Director, shares her insights as a designer, an expat and now—a proud New Yorker.

Oh, New York. As Frank sang, you truly are the city that never sleeps.

You’re the metropolis that never rests, never stops and is rarely quiet due to an unremitting ebb and flow of harsh reality mixed with aspirational tenacity. The drive required to live here is perhaps why the city has the fastest growing creative sector in America, with far more designers here than any other city.

So, why New York? Why do expats flock here from all over the world? Why are close to 80% of New York creative directors, actually European?

I believe it’s got something to do with the magnetic pull of the city. I’m an expat myself—I moved to New York from the UK five years ago and found that, as Tom Wofle put it, “one belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” I came here to follow my dream of living and breathing in this city. And let me tell you—the Big Apple does not disappoint.

New York is one of the few places where reality totally mirrors the movies. Don’t get me wrong—a lot has changed over the past few decades—but one thing that hasn’t changed a bit is the attitude. And I think that’s really what makes this place so attractive to creatives. It’s the perfect mix of confidence and conviction. It’s everything you need to start something, keep it going and make something of it.

This is just a snippet! Want to read the rest of this article? Go to Shillington Post 02 Online!

Keen to learn more about studying design in New York City? Learn more about Shillington New York and attend our upcoming Info Session on Tuesday, 18th August at 6pm!

Artwork—Tim Hucklesby