It's time to #ShiftCreativity
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. #ShiftLondon applications are now open. Application deadline: 28 July 2025.
Shift stories
Since Shift’s launch in 2016, we have trained over 300 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 London
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.
We prioritise applicants who do not hold a university degree or are currently studying towards one, as Shift is designed to support those who haven’t had access to traditional higher education pathways.
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.
What to expect on Shift
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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
- Gain recognition from a globally respected creative organisation
- Continue learning and get support after the programme
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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 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.
2025 Key dates
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28 July 2025
Application deadline
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Submit your application by 23:59 BST
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18 August 2025
Challenge Day
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Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our online creative immersion day
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6 September 2025
Programme kicks off
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Start of Shift London 2025
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January 2026
— <p>Programme ends / Final Showcase</p>Programme ends / Final Showcase
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A celebratory event, showing off the Class of 2025 portfolios to industry and securing paid placements
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D&AD Shift London Class of 2024
Meet last year's cohort and filter by creative discipline.
Skills Development
D&AD Shifters tell us ways in which these ‘soft skills’ can help you break into the creative industry.
5 months, 21 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 Here and Diageo on two real-life creative briefs as well as a 'brief-in-a-day' challenge with Paramount.
Now ready to apply their skills to the industry, here's your opportunity to see what they're made of.
Thank you to our supporting agencies, contributors and mentors
Agencies
Anomaly
Dazed
Design Bridge and Partners
Design Studio
Frog
GoodVillans
Grey
Hope & Glory
Lewis Moberly
Monotype
MOX London
M&C Saatchi Group
Nice and Serious
No Signal / Recess
Ogilvy
Pearlfisher
Saboteur
SevenSix
Smyle
Take More Photos
That Lot
VINE Creatives
WPP
Bloom
One Good Reason
The Mix
Mentors
Marie Boulanger, Monotype
Matt Mitchell, AnalogFolk
Alex Wood, AnalogFolk
Peter Adlington, Freelance
Silvia Arenas Artiga, Born Social
Jake Attree, Lego
Jermaine Balfourth, AF OLIVER
Drucilla Burrell, Adobe
Hannah Busbridge, Anomaly
Jacob Denno, Innocent
Debbie Fagan, Edelman
Harry Fisher, Stamp Design Consultancy
Kyle Green, NFTUK
Jennifer Hayashi, Freelance
Aaliyah Hassan, Black Curatorial
Quinton Irons, Blacklist
Ruben Joseph, Alliants
Hardip Kaur, VMLY&R
Emilie Chen, Freelance
Lisa Rahman, Freelance
Aaron Taylor, Amplify
Chloe Templeman, Pearlfisher
Frankie, MOX
Cat Kevern, Electric Cat Productions Ltd
Akhil Morjaria, TPXimpact
Essi Nurminen, Born Social
Ilario Cichella, JKR
Program partners
Steve Honour, Global Head of Rare and Single Malts
Jo Smith, Design & Visual Identity Leader
Here Design
Josh Shires, Audio Director
Emily Nixon, Head of Operations
Katy Pryer, Writes Lead
Paramount
Jon Preston,Vice President Creative Director, Kids & Family
Sarah Tobias, Senior Director Of Marketing
Claire Oldaker, Senior Director of Production
Gavin Leisfield, Head of Art and Design
Shift Select
Sophie Calver, Pearlfisher
Rory Cowen, Pearlfisher
Velda Croot, Lewis Moberly
Holly Cliffin, Anomaly
Jemma Davis, MOX London
Tiffany Macquet, MOX London
Jess Phillips, Pearlfisher
Jack Hutchinson, Hope & Glory
Dave Stitson, Hope & Glory