Watch Eleanor’s Shillington Story

Eleanor Rogers worked as an administrative assistant in corporate finance before deciding to kickstart a creative career at Shillington. After graduation, she landed an amazing opportunity at Chapel Press, a specialist letterpress print studio in Melbourne. Watch her video testimonial and read below for more about her journey to a job she loves!

Describe your typical day as a designer and letterpress apprentice.
When I first arrive at work I’ll make myself a coffee and read through my emails. This is usually followed by a bit of gossip and laughter before we settle down into a production meeting. From there my day can go anywhere really. I could be in the office working on a brief or out in the factory printing a job, making plates ready for printing or, my favourite, cutting paper on our industrial size guillotine. It makes me feel powerful!

What do you love about being a designer?
I love the challenge of making a client’s idea work. It’s exciting to start a brief and not know where you will end up.

Why did you decide to do the course?
I had small knowledge of the Adobe programs, but no knowledge of the design process.

Shillington was the perfect fit for me. I wanted to change careers but didn’t want to study for 3 years.

How long did it take you to secure a job?
I was very lucky in scoring my job. I got some great advice from another designer who told me to work in different print industries to learn how to design for the different print processes. I emailed Chapel Press asking to work for free for a week to learn the process, I was just lucky they were busy and needed the help. I went from working a week for free to a full-time paid internship to becoming a letterpress apprentice.

What was the most valuable thing you took away from the course?
My knowledge of the program shortcuts. When we’re busy, those time savers are invaluable. But most of all, the friendships I’ve made. I don’t think I would have made it through the course and out into the industry after studying without them and their support. I loved going to class each day, and learning new things. At first I was nervous about having my work critiqued, but the teachers make you feel at ease and by the end you crave the feedback to make your work the best it can be.

Huge thanks to Eleanor and the whole team at Chapel Press for welcoming us into their studio. Visit their website to learn more about their premium printing services and passion for excellence.