D&AD, D&AD Shift
D&AD Shift in London is an award-winning, free industry-led night school for self-taught creatives entering the advertising, design and creative industry from outside traditional pathways.
This is your opportunity to shift your career whilst challenging the industry to shift their outlook.
Shift aims to support learning alongside existing work. The programme runs on evenings and occasional weekends. Sessions are taught part in-person and part-online. We offer transport support within the region of the city of London, plus a limited relocation bursary for eligible applicants.
The night school offers exposure to the commercial creative industry through sessions led by creative professionals, in-person agency visits, and opportunities to work on creative briefs set by global brands looking to support emerging talent.
Every Shifter receives 1:1 mentoring support, networking opportunities and help creating their portfolio in order to kickstart their next career steps. Across 120 hours of learning, the programme covers key disciplines and topics essential for working in advertising, design and production. It also covers professional skills such as collaboration, bravery and resilience.
You don’t need a pre-existing portfolio to apply — we want to find out about you, how you think and about your ideas, so be creative. You can share a design, a campaign concept, a piece of artwork, a video, some photographs, lyrics, a story, anything — it’s up to you.
To be eligible for Shift you must not hold a university degree in any subject, or be studying towards one.
You will be asked to upload three examples of your work, so make sure you have this to hand. Shift London is for you if you ever wanted a career in the creative industry but didn't think it could be possible. The programme will teach you the skills and confidence you need to gain a job in the creative industry as well as allow you access to a network you can build on throughout your career.