WorldSkills competitions are not a holiday. They are exhausting. Two years of preparation crammed into a ten day mega event. Like the Olympics in Paris, but without the elites, the press coverage and certainly not the budgets and splash.

Nevertheless, the crowds, preparation and intensity seem to match, plus there is a real seriousness and pride in country colours. Skills are something to celebrate, in all shapes and forms. The Worldskills format is an amazing showcase, and for young people watching young people exceed under timed, high stakes conditions should be infinitely more popular than it is.

Rushed notes from this experience to remind me of a few key points are below, and a bunch of my favourite photos in random order.

1. Test projects must be tested. Not just validated. Actually tested. Make better briefs and ditch the 12 page word documents.
2. Done, not perfect is a great mantra. Finish every day, then polish — it is vital to go back and check where all the marks are hiding in plain sight. Two tick method is widely used for a reason.
3. Produce work for public display. The audiences are getting bigger and bigger and the skill must showcase the work (and presentations) in a much more engaging manner. A stage for presenting work; oversized 200% packaging mockups to inspect and revel; large format should be large format etc.

I’m very proud to report that Nellie placed in the top third, with a solid 11^th place and well deserved medallion for excellence. Nellie scored a total of 719 points and helped put Australia in the highest Graphic Design position for many cycles.