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New York

It's time to #ShiftCreativity

D&AD Shift New York is a free, award-winning industry-led night school offering those without a degree an alternative route to the creative industries. We Shift careers, while challenging the industry to Shift its outlook.

Programme

Dates to watch

17 November 2025

What
Application deadline
Info
Submit your application by midnight

1 December 2025

What
Immersion day
Info
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our online creative immersion day

10 January 2026

What
Program kicks off
Info
Start of Shift New York 2026

7 May 2026

What
Final Showcase
Info
Showing off the portfolios to industry and securing paid placements

Everything you need to know

Are you ready to Shift your future?

Build your portfolio

Enter your new industry through in-person agency visits, sessions led by creative professionals, and briefs set by global brands like Apple and Spotify.

Fit learning around your work

Shift runs on evenings and occasional weekends, in-person and online. We can help with your travel costs.

Launch your career

Benefit from one-to-one mentoring support, networking opportunities, and help creating your portfolio.

Master essential creative industry skills

Across 120 hours of learning, the programme covers key skills and topics essential for working in advertising, design and production.

Get involved

Apply to Shift New York

We prioritise applicants who do not hold or are working towards a university degree. You don’t need a portfolio to apply — we want to find out about you, how you think, and your ideas. You will be asked to share three pieces that show off your creativity. These could include a design, a campaign concept, a piece of artwork, a video, photographs, lyrics, a story, anything — it’s up to you. Got those to hand?

Apply to Shift New York

We prioritise applicants who do not hold or are working towards a university degree. You don’t need a portfolio to apply — we want to find out about you, how you think, and your ideas. You will be asked to share three pieces that show off your creativity. These could include a design, a campaign concept, a piece of artwork, a video, photographs, lyrics, a story, anything — it’s up to you. Got those to hand?

What to expect

How does Shift work?

For you

The aim of Shift is to support learning alongside everyday work. The program is held in the evenings and occasionally on weekends. Sessions are delivered partly in person and partly online. We offer transport support within the São Paulo city region.

New Blood Festival speaker addressing out of shot audience in dimly lit room

Get seen

The evening school offers exposure to the commercial creative sector 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.

D&AD Festival attendees outside in the sun as seen through a window with reflections of graphic branding

Support

Each Shifter receives one-on-one mentoring support, networking opportunities, and help building their portfolio to kickstart their next career steps. In 120 hours of learning, the program covers the main disciplines and topics essential for working in advertising, strategy, design and production. It also covers professional skills such as collaboration, courage and resilience.

Meet NY's newest creatives

Jeph Cangé

Creative

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Cali Vincent

Photographer

Shift NY Class of 2025

Raoul Arboite

Designer

Airbnb

Shift NY Class of 2025

Bryan Badia

Videographer

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Davina Johnson

Creative Producer

Shift NY Class of 2025

Dimitri Jean

Creative

Shift NY Class of 2025

Ashley Taliaferro

Creative & Strategist

Shift NY Class of 2025

Kiara Hernandez

Creative Strategist

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Nzinga Stewart

Creative

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Xavier Duah

Photographer

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Lorena Pereira

Art Director

BBH USA

Shift NY Class of 2025

Noa Samassa

Photographer

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Asha Greene

Art Director

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Sissy Rosso

Art Director

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Suky Townsend

Art Director

Freelance

Shift NY Class of 2025

Na'im Cook

Graphic Designer

Lapstone & Hammer

Shift NY Class of 2025

Destiny Henry

Designer

Airbnb

Shift NY Class of 2025