Nick Shillabeer
Nick Shillabeer
Nick ShilLabeer is a nationally renowned graphic designer who has gratefully returned to Dartmouth to ply his trade after years in the London rat race. He considers himself the luckiest man alive.
“Ten years ago, when I was living in London, if you had told me today I would be working in Dartmouth, earning a great wage, having this life, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he tells me. “It’s better than winning the lottery because if I won the lottery I’d be bored.”
Brought up in Dartmouth, the son of butcher - and former South Devon rugby star - Malcolm, Nick always enjoyed drawing.
Educated at Dartmouth Primary and Secondary, Nick then did a foundation course at South Devon Technology College before heading off to Croydon to complete a degree in graphic design.
“I have always loved drawing,” he said. “I had a very creative streak and always had a pencil in my hand, or was building things out of Lego! I was best mates with a guy called Neil Patey and we were both always sketching away. When I applied to Croydon I think my teachers were worried I wouldn’t get in, as it was such a good college – but I did. I’ve always been a determined person and I believe I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I knew I could get in and I did.”
After completing his course in Croydon, Nick found it hard to find work in Devon. His uncle offered him a room in his London home for a month to search for work in the capital.
“I decided I would write 10 letters a day to companies. I did it alphabetically and the first letter I wrote was to AD Creative Consultants. I delivered it by hand, got a call and went down for an interview the next day – I got the job! I stayed with AD for 12 years.”
During his time with AD Creative Consultants Nick was working on some high profile clients.
“I used to create the livery design for Hyundai Rally cars. One day I went to visit my dad and my younger brother was on his Playstation, playing World Rally Championship and he was driving a car I’d designed!
“I also did some design work for the Brabham Racing team. We went with about 12 designs to meet David Brabham himself. He asked if we had a favourite design, which we said yes we do. He asked us to put all the designs face down on the table and he held his hands over them and ‘sensed’ which was the best. He picked out our favourite!”
Working for M & S, Dixons and Coca-Cola, Nick had a ton of work and could have been said to have the world at his feet. A feat all the more amazing as Nick is colour-blind.
“I once got sent home from school because I painted a green giraffe then wouldn’t accept that is was the wrong colour,” he smiles. “But using things like the Pantone system it isn’t a problem. I sometimes will check with someone if I’m worried the colours I’ve chosen don’t go together!”
His philosophy of design is simple:
“You need to know a lot about the client, but then put yourself in the shoes of a customer who knows nothing about the company, and think how you can communicate to them about the service or product.”
But despite his success, he still missed the Westcountry.
He moved back to Dartmouth in 2006 and even considered becoming a fisherman before freelance work started rolling in. He has designed logos for a number of local organisations and businesses – Dartmouth Rugby Club, Café Alf Resco, Dartmouth Food Festival, Dartmouth and District Indoor Swimming Pool among others.
He now has a lot of work and can enjoy life – a life that involves a lot of rugby and fishing.
“In my holidays at Art College I worked on the Dittisham ferry as skipper – probably the best summer job there is! I never lost my love for Dartmouth or for the river and the sea around it. I cannot think of a better place to live.”
Nick is not only a successful designer, he’s also a big part of the area’s rugby scene and is Captain of Dartmouth RFC this season – the third time he has fulfilled the role. Everywhere he’s gone he’s played rugby and been a big part of the teams he’s joined.
“I got my rugby credentials from my father, Malcolm, who played against Australia during his playing career,” he said. “I’ve played in Croydon for Old Mid-Whitgiftians, in London for Rosslyn Park and everywhere I’ve gone really. I’ve always said if you like rugby and can play, then you will instantly have friends wherever you go – you just have to join a rugby club. The game is brilliant, but socializing is a massive part of it.
“I started in the Dartmouth Minis learning from a great Dartmouth man who is sadly no longer with us – Eddie Lennon. I have always played as a hooker and still love the game. I’ve played against Harlequins, and played in two Devon cup finals for Brixham – I will play as long as I can, I simply love the game.”
First published By The Dart March 2014
For further information about Nick - see www.bythedart.co.uk/locations/nick-shillabeer-design/
