It's time to #ShiftCreativity
D&AD Shift 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 while challenging the industry to shift their outlook. #ShiftNewYork is now OPEN. Applications close November 22nd 2024 at 12 pm (EDT).
Shift Stories
Since Shift’s launch in 2016, we've trained over 340+ creatives across New York, London, São Paulo, Sydney, and Berlin. Shifters go on to write for Apple, design for Spotify, create for Disney, direct Stormzy, animate for Katy Perry, and shoot for Vogue. They’re employed by every major advertising and design network, win Pencils, and even sit on the D&AD Board.
Be part of Shift New York in 2025
Sign up below to receive the application form direct to your inbox.
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.
Applications close November 22nd 2024 at 12 pm (EDT).
What to expect on Shift
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What does Shift offer?
- Learn from top creatives across the industry
- Access a global network of like-minded peers and industry leaders
- Gain mentorship from experienced professionals
- Develop essential collaboration and teamwork skills
- Join an international community of creatives
- Opportunity to collaborate with alumni worldwide on real projects
- Build your portfolio with projects from world-leading brands
- Earn accreditation from a globally recognized creative organization
- Enjoy continued support and learning opportunities beyond the program
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How does Shift work?
Shift is a night school designed for aspiring creatives who want to break into the industry without sacrificing their current commitments. In-person sessions take place in the evening and occasionally on weekends, so there's no need to take time off work. We also offer transportation support for eligible applicants.
Through sessions led by industry professionals, agency visits, and opportunities to tackle real briefs from global brands, you’ll gain hands-on experience and exposure to the commercial creative world. Every Shifter benefits from one-on-one mentoring, portfolio development, and networking opportunities.
Over the course of five months, the program covers essential disciplines in advertising, design, and production while also equipping you with professional skills like collaboration, resilience, and creative bravery.
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What’s expected of you
At Shift, your success is driven by your creativity, curiosity, and commitment. We believe that what you get out of the program depends entirely on what you put into it, so bring your bold ideas, your drive to make things happen, and a readiness to push your creative boundaries.
Key dates
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22 November 2024
— <p>Application deadline</p>Application deadline
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Submit your application by 12 pm (EDT)
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2 December 2024
— <p>Immersion day</p>Immersion day
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Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our in-person creative immersion day
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11 January 2025
— <p>Programme kicks off</p>Programme kicks off
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8 May 2025
— <p>Programme ends/final Showcase</p>Programme ends/final Showcase
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A celebratory event showcasing the portfolios to industry and securing paid placements
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D&AD Shift with Google New York Class of 2024
Meet this year's cohort and filter by creative discipline.
Thank you to our supporting agencies, contributors and mentors
Industry teachers
Ami Werner, Bulletproof
Sara Cobaugh, Bulletproof
Holly Karlsson, Bulletproof
Riley Ruthven, Bulletproof
Pla Poome, SYPartners
Sue Walsh, SYPartners
Zahra Bukhari, SYPartners
Osade “Selah” Imalele, SYPartners
Hannah Tabor, Mother
Donna De-Banning, Carat
Rohit Bhargava, Non-Obvious Company
Christian Bird, Bird&Co Design
Katie Hughes, Design Bridge and Partners
Shang Wu, Design Bridge and Partners
Annette Yan, Design Bridge and Partners
Steffie P., Design Bridge and Partners
Kalyani KB, Design Bridge and Partners
John Glasgow, Vault49
Harrison Shaw, Vault49
Simon Chong, TwentyFirstCenturyBrand
Justine Allan, Pearlfisher
Nile Hope, Pearlfisher
Cait Starke, Pearlfisher
Jonathan Akwue, Publicis Groupe
James Friedman, Freelance
Jocelyn Brady, StoryScience
Amine el Filali, StoryScience
Kayle Scott, Hill & Knowlton
Ryan Cassidy, Hill & Knowlton
DK Bartley, Hill & Knowlton
Becky East, Hill & Knowlton
Tilona Moore, Jack Morton Worldwide
Tristan Howard, Jack Morton Worldwide
Barbie Lam, Jack Morton Worldwide
Jerusha Williams, Jack Morton Worldwide
Kevin Koller, YouTube
Caitlin Robinson, Huge
Anna Raquel Serra, Huge
Lucas Ribeiro, McCann New York
Alexandre Kazuo Kubo, McCann New York
Jenn Shaw, R/GA
Jesse Brihn, R/GA
Shakil Uddin, R/GA
Ryan Paulson, BBH USA
Kara Gonchar, BBH USA
Isabella Ciardelli, BBH USA
Avery Wright, 72andSunny
Julia Lafferty, 72andSunny
Julie Cardella, 72andSunny
Michael Devine, 72andSunny
Sierra Outcalt, 72andSunny
Sammy Joe Temple, 72andSunny
Whitney Yando, 72andSunny
Connor Gomez, 72andSunny
Mentors
Shane Levine, Argento SC
Ali Sooudi, Mekanism
Andrea Branchini, 21GRAMS
Carlos Benetiz , Area23
Sara Leeds, Linqia
James Friedman, Freelance
Jessie McGuire, ThoughtMatter
Jhon Catano, Jhon Catano Digital
Leesa Wytock , Rarefy
Brittany Franklin, Minorities in Film
Mike Schaeffer, The Mill
Pedro Sattin, DAVID New York
Richard Swain , Design Studio
Perle Arteta, VML
Saata Bangura, Ogilvy
Shu Hung, AKQA
Stephanie Cajucom, Quality Meats Creative
Steve Gutteridge, AKQA
Yaara Schattner, WIX
Alumni mentors
Andrielle Giscombe, Freelance
Paul Welch, Area23
Sammy Joe Temple, 72andSunny
Amy Pearce, Platform Media
Ali Mohamoud, Hope&Glory PR
Robi Farkas, Freelance
Josh Bell, Red Havas AU
Andrew Barley, Pigeon Peas
Kristina Erskine, Why Hunger
Caetana Cruz, Insignia Worldwide
Marcus Austin , Adidas
Zane Durham, Splice
Ping Sheng, BMF Australia
Nanda Kovic, Mattel
Rubee-rose Stephenson, Ogilvy Australia
Luke McCabe , Freelance
Ash Level, D&AD
Grace McNally, Freelance
Destiny Washington, Nissan United
Kurtis Hilliard, Apple
Program partners
Hania Midura
Christine Hasbun
Nicholas Rowland
Kelly Moran
Ruth Ingram
Airbnb
Teo Connor
Caroline Crandall
Mclane Teitel
Miyoung Lee
Rachel Braun
Sarah Heath
Allison Voigtlander
Andrea Alabastro
Angela Li
Cat Nygaard
Cecilia Yang
Elena Farrar
Garima Singh
Haley Harada
Spotify
Jasmine Marie
June Sung
Juwan Wedderburn
Gus Solís
Curt Saunders
Eden Yeung
Alex Bodman
Skills Development
D&AD Shifters tell us ways in which these ‘soft skills’ can help you break into the creative industry.