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A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT I DO

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THE STORY SO FAR...

Marianne

Shillingford

Creative director at akzonobel  dulux uk & ireland and founder of the colour in design award
About

I am currently the Creative Director of Dulux in the UK and Ireland, a dream job which involves working closely with many creative disciplines from designers, architects photographers and videographers to new design talent, global colour experts, professional decorators, the media… and of course the Dulux dog.

My career story so far has spanned over 30 years. I studied art at college and left knowing that although I was pretty good with a pencil and paintbrush, it was the colour, craftsmanship, and business of earning a living with creative skills that really got me fired up.

 

A City & Guilds qualification in signwriting and decorating led me to work alongside Peter Tate one of Britain’s leading Showman’s Decorators where I learnt how to paint traditional fairground rides from a master at his craft. After a few years I could paint fast and accurately on a big theatrical scale, mix colours precisely and model full sized galloping carousel animals (skills that still surprisingly come in handy more often than you would imagine). 

 

When my kids started to appear it was time to change direction so I went back to college to learn some new skills and started my own interior decorating company where I had the joy of working alongside some of the most talented decorators and scenic artists in the country. I began to share painting and colour skills in workshops which led to becoming the founding tutor and Artistic Director of the National Design Academy.  It was here where the love of showing off a bit and teaching others led to wider creative opportunities including journalism, TV presenting, event hosting and more bizarrely the chance to design a carpet of living flowers which covered Trafalgar Square...

Colour has been at the heart of everything I do and my role at Dulux has been the most fulfilling and rewarding in ways that would fill several chapters of a book. I hope to share my passion for colour and decoration through a blog on this site. Take a look and let me know what you think.

 

In 2017 I decided it was time to launch something meaningful and lasting with the experience I have gained in order to encourage a new generation of creative talent discover its own colourful path in the world. The Colour in Design Award recognizes and rewards new designers who are working with colour in inspiring and exceptional ways.  It provides a platform of support, expert help and mentoring for talented young people who will grow to make the world a more colourful place.

Pursuing a creative path never ends until the lights go out and every day I continue to seek out new ways of imagining the world through a palette of possibilities.

 

Please get in touch if you want to discuss anything colourful and interesting on your horizon.

ENTER THE COLOUR IN DESIGN AWARDS

STUFF I'M DOING AT THE MOMENT

Colour and design focused commentary in

The Times, The Daily Telegraph, London Evening Standard Homes & Property, Metro, House Beautiful, Living Etc., Elle Decoration, Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Ideal Home, Grand Designs, Your Home, Real Homes 

Getting stuck in as a judge for Fresh 18'

 

Spotting and supporting fresh global design talent

Recruiting judges and spotting new talent for the Colour in Design Award 2018

www.colourindesignaward.org

Enjoying being an Arts Emergency mentor

 

Supporting students who are pursuing a career in the creative arts and humanities by helping them to grow their strengths, explore options and achieve their personal goals

Championing colour in the great outdoors

 

Unlocking the potential of nature’s palettes in the great outdoors and making it easy for everyone to add a bit more colour with confidence

Shouting about Akzonobel /Dulux global colour knowledge through Colour Futures 2018 – check out Colour of the Year 2018 Heartwood

Creating and delivering Colour Workshops at the Dulux Academy

 

Leading the way in building the professionalism, skills and knowledge within the industry. 

Celebrating 30 Years of The National Design Academy

 

Still going from strength to strength helping talented adults all over the world achieve their creative goals from foundation to degree level

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