D&AD Shift is a free night-school for emerging creatives without college degrees. It has changed lives and made careers happen by discovering raw talent and nurturing its development, making creative people viable for roles in the creative industries. 70% of Shifters have secured placements in London. 50% of Shifters have secured placements in New York. It is returning in 2020 for its third year.
New York City holds the country’s biggest concentration of creative roles but less than half of New York state students are prepared for college. With US college tuition fees exceeding $33,000 a year, the opportunity of higher education isn’t accessible for all young people from low-income households. [Sources: NYC Comptroller – The Creative Economy, NY Times & ValuePenguin]
The intensive three-month night-school will provide participants with a solid foundation and prepare individuals to enter into a creative career with confidence, through a range of workshops, talks from leading industry figures and experience working on real briefs set by leading brands.
Hilary Chittenden, senior foundations manager at D&AD, stated, “Success for Shift has always been about changing the face of our creative industry, ensuring it is fair, representative and relevant. In New York, we’re starting to see this change happening. In the world’s most creative city, past Shifters are thriving in some of the best agencies, making bold and brilliant work for some of the biggest clients. As we move into our third year of running the Shift program in NYC, I’m excited to meet the next wave of change-makers as they take the first steps into their creative careers.”
Jahson Fuller, Shift New York alumni 2019 & art director, Havas Health, added, “Fighting adversity in this industry is all about perseverance, making opportunities for yourself, and never giving up. I never finished Art School but I wasn’t discouraged. When I applied for D&AD’s Shift I was investing in a better future for myself. It taught me so much and opened so many doors that I thought were closed for me. The industry is changing, and not every path may not be traditional. That doesn’t mean you can’t have your dream creative job.”
D&AD Shift has already put over 80 emerging creatives through 12 weeks of free training to date. 58% of Shifters have been from BAME groups, 47% of Shifters have been women. In 2019, over half of Shifters secured placements after graduating from the programme in London and New York. Alumni of Shift New York have gone on to work in leading companies such as Droga5, The Mill and McCann.
To apple for Shift NY 2020, submit up to three pieces of creative work and a description of why you would benefit from the program.
Details and entry requirements are available here.
Applications close on March 6 2020.
