It's time to #ShiftCreativity
D&AD Shift with Google New York is a free, industry-led night school for self-taught creatives entering the advertising, design and creative industry from outside traditional pathways in New York.
This is your opportunity to shift your career whilst challenging the industry to shift their outlook. #ShiftNewYork is now OPEN.
Shift Stories
Since Shift’s launch in 2016, we have trained over 250 creatives in London, New York, Sydney, Berlin and Hamburg.
Shifters go on to write for Apple. They strategise for Spotify. They have creative ideas for Disney. They direct Stormzy, animate for Katy Perry and shoot for Vogue. Shifters are employed by every major advertising and design agency network. They win Pencils. And sit on the board at D&AD.
How to apply to Shift New York
It takes just 30 minutes to apply for Shift via the form below. Applications are open until 23 October 2023.
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 New York 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.
What to expect on Shift
-
What does Shift offer?
- Learn from and access a global network of like-minded creatives at both peer level and industry level
- Access 1:1 Mentor pairing with industry professionals
- Develop key collaboration skills for creatives who usually work independently
- Become part of an international creative network and community, with opportunities to work with other alumni
- Build your portfolio with projects from world-leading brands
- Receive accreditation from a globally recognised creative organisation
- Continue learning and get support after the programme
-
How does Shift work?
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 New York, 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.
Key dates
-
-
23 October 2023 — Application deadline
Application deadline
-
Submit your application by 12AM
-
-
-
November 2023 — Immersion day
Immersion day
-
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our in-person creative immersion day
-
-
-
January 2024 — Programme kicks off
Programme kicks off
-
Programme kicks off
-
-
-
April 2024 — Programme ends/final Showcase
Programme ends/final Showcase
-
A celebratory event showcasing the class of 2023 portfolios to industry and securing paid placements
-
Skills Development
D&AD Shifters tell us ways in which these ‘soft skills’ can help you break into the creative industry.
5 months, 17 Shifters, 3 pitches and 1 Showcase
D&AD Shifters have embraced five months of online and in-person learning with more than 15 creative agencies across multiple disciplines, from creative direction and design thinking, to ideation, pitching, and strategy.
They worked with adidas and Spotify on two real-life creative briefs as well as a 'brief-in-a-day' challenge with Diageo.
Now ready to apply their skills to the industry, here's your opportunity to see what they're made of.
Partner testimonials
—Ayesha Martin, Senior Director, Purpose at Adidas in North America
—Hania Midura, Design, & Visual Identity Director North America, Diageo
—Ben Malbon, Marketing Director at Google in Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Thank you to our teachers and industry mentors
Ravi Singh, FCB New York
Kate Carter, Mojo Supermarket
Jason Graff, Area23
Holly Karlsson, Bulletproof
Luca Torregiani, AKQA
Steph Wright, DesignStudio
Jimmy Stones, SYPartners
Ying Zhang, SYPartners
Sophie Ozoux, KIN
Pepe Funegra, Droga5
Sara Leeds, Kyra Media
Chelsea Galinos, Karl Lagerfeld Paris
Benjamin Greengrass, Thoughtmatter
Darla Price, DDB New York
Debbie Bognar, Design Bridge New York
Tequilla White, Tequila White PR
Ben Malbon, Google
Brandon Viney, Google
Dan Germain, Google
Jordan Fowler, Google
Michèle Noten, Google
Saskia Owens, Google
Simi Esan, Google
Ayesha Martin, adidas
Lizet Portillo, adidas
Sammy van den Burg, adidas
Tamika Hall, adidas
Jimmy Stones, SYP
Hania Midura, Diageo
Jeremy Lindley, Diageo
Ruth Ingram, Diageo
Steve Honour, Diageo
Alex Bodman, Spotify
Ari Zapata, Spotify
Caitlin Herrity, Spotify
Stevie Laux, Spotify