biography

Simon is a Film Production Designer with a wide and varied CV.

A teenage visit to the Opera founded an interest in scenic design, music and art. This was cemented by work as a scene shifter at Opera North, attending Jacob Kramer School of Art in Leeds; and immersion in the world of the artists and Jazz musicians that frequented it.

Simon came to London to study Theatre Design at Central St Martin's School of Art and Design, making ends meet during his studies by working as a stage hand at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and spending any spare time he had left playing in a thrash surf band.

On graduating, and being a finalist in the Linbury Prize for Stage Design, Simon studied at the Slade School of Art, where he made mentors and friends of artists Craigie Aitchison RA CBE, and Euan Uglow amongst others.

Simon's professional career began designing various touring stage productions for directors including Vanessa Redgrave, Peter Wood and Steven Dexter. He had apprenticeships with stage designers such as Stefanos Lazaridis, Maria Björnson, and Tim Goodchild with the RSC, De Nederlandse Opera, Scottish Opera, Houston Grand Opera and The Royal Ballet. Simon was introduced to the sphere of film and live music events via commercials; and moved on to designing live events and broadcasts, including events for Norah Jones, The Cure, Nickelodeon, and launching MTV in Africa.

Simon is now a successful Production Designer in film and television. Early production designs include ‘Out of Season’ with Dennis Hopper and ‘Bradford Riots’ for Channel 4. Having designed ‘the Long Walk to Finchley’ about Margaret Thatcher for the BBC, he has since had the privilege of production designing 'Another Year' by Mike Leigh. Simon has just finished Production Design on 'the Song of Lunch' with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman for the BBC.