Tell us a bit about your role, what’s a standard day like for you?
My job as Head of Design at Coronation Street is to manage a large Design team which can reach over 100 people a day and co-ordinate their works, whilst overseeing the visual look, designing sets and bringing the Producers vision for the show to life.
One of the best things about my job is that there is no such thing as a standard day! I could be reading and breaking down the earliest version of scripts and attending meetings about future storylines and giving input into how we achieve them. Or I could be at the drawing board or on the computer creating technical drawings for the latest new set for the show. My job involves a lot of researching for each set and being on top of trends and styles but also having my eye on real life and finding inspiration in the everyday things that you come across. Some days I am out buying and I can also spend a lot of time looking at colours, wallpapers, lighting, finishes, textures and furnishings. Other days I could be working on the latest stunt - an explosion, a fire, a tram crash - you name it!!! Then the next day I could be working on a high end Hotel build or a characterful home for a new family.
During my time on the show I have been involved in lots of big projects like the move of Coronation Street from Quay Street to Media City. I have also been privileged to design and oversee the build of the extended Victoria Street with the new police station and more recently Weatherfield Precinct.
How did you get started in the industry?
I had a passion for art, design and acting growing up and I found that I could never get into character when on the stage unless the set and the props were just right. This early skill was recognised by a teacher but at this point in time I had no idea that this could be a career path. After studying for a degree in Media and Management at the University of Leeds I began working within the design department on different shows and companies and felt like I had found my path.
I started in the Art department at Coronation Street in an entry level role which gave me a good understanding of the different roles on the team and more widely on the show and made me want to learn more and more. There was so much talent on the team and I was helped and supported by them and was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to train to become a Standby Art Director. I loved this role, being on the filming floor and the thrill of being in the thick of the action. I wanted to develop my skill set and my ability to draw up sets so I went to Pinewood Studios to learn technical drawing and I didn’t look back!
Over the years that followed I was fortunate to be given so many amazing opportunities Art Directing some iconic and huge storylines including the 50th Anniversary tram crash and Live episode alongside designing the Coronation St float and many other sets. What was so valuable in my journey was getting the onset experience and learning on the job. A willingness to get stuck in, to help others and to listen to the vast and valuable experience of a hugely talented team. I have learnt so much from the people I work with and continue to do so now which is fantastic!
Because of my journey, I am keen to promote working in TV and in the Design Department especially to the next generation that, like a young me, may not know what exists and what part they could have in its future.
How long have you been at Coronation Street and what is it that keeps you here?
I started on the show back in 2005 as an Art Department trainee role and began Standby Art Directing shortly after. For the next 7 years I continued Art Directing and then was given an amazing opportunity to work as Production Designer on the show during the year that we moved from Quay Street to Media city. I have been in this role as Head of Design for the last 12 years and absolutely love it.
I am often asked about my time here and if I will stay or move on to other dramas and the truth is that I love the role and I love working here! I love the opportunities that come with a show like Coronation Street, the range of storylines, the range of characters and the variety of the set designs that I get to work on. And I guess the biggest pull is the people and the teams that I work with. It is an exciting, fun and varied place to work and each day brings new challenges. A day at Corrie is never dull!
What’s your favourite thing about working at Coronation Street?
My favourite thing about Coronation Street is the people and the skills here. As an Art Department I am in awe of the huge skillset that we have amongst the team and this makes just about anything possible! We are given so much opportunity which means that there is a constant need to always think outside of the box. But as a team we are excellent at coming up with ideas and brainstorming, at listening and creating fantastic solutions. We can make just about anything whether it be an obscure prop make, a shopping centre full of interesting graphics or an intricate set dressing like a hoarder's house. We can make interactive graphics, oversee photoshoots, build and construct multiple sets to name but a few. Some set builds are specialist SFX sets that we can engineer to move in and out of water or we create especially to crash into or blow up! Others could be a high end swanky flat or a derelict squat. There is so much talent creating bespoke joinery that looks beautiful but can come apart for cameras in seconds! Or detailed authentic scenic art that can transport you back over 100 years and create the illusion of time on what is actually a plastic brick hand painted on a timber wall.
I love being able to see a set come to life. From the earliest thoughts on it, through to research and moodboards. Then creating the technical drawings and getting the full team on board to bring it to life. I love seeing it being constructed wall by wall in our workshop. Then the detailed decoration and set dressing and lighting that follows. People are always so surprised by the level of work and time that goes into each set build.
What does it mean to you as a woman to be working in the industry and seeing so many other women in high profile roles?
I am aware that I was the youngest and the first female Head of Design at Coronation Street and I am very proud to be in this role. I have been given some amazing opportunities during my time on the show and have found that it has been a very supportive place to work. It is fantastic to work alongside other high profile women in senior roles on the show and to be part of a positive and encouraging environment for other women.
For me, I think as a female and a mother to two young children, it is important to show other women that you can achieve a career and be a Mum. I have been told by other females in the industry that it is inspiring to see that I am doing this whilst working in a senior position on the show. If I can inspire just one person then that is fantastic. It would be wrong to say that this does not come without challenges at times but I make it work and have a fantastic management team (and husband!) who are supportive which helps me to achieve what I do to the best of my ability.
Importantly I want to inspire my children to follow their dreams and that anything is possible regardless of gender.
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