Simon Griffee
Department of graphic design, art direction, and photography.

Self-portrait, NYC, 2019.

I’m a design consultant experienced in making things using technology from pencils to computers to help clients succeed. I value good professional relationships and usually work with the same people steadily for years.

Growing up in South America and North Africa, studying in the British Isles and the Italic Peninsula, and working and traveling made me a life-long student of play and daydreams.

I like being the dumbest person in a group as it’s the best way to learn, and have been fortunate to work with people at the top of their field.

When serving as a leader I prefer a light-hearted, hands-on approach with colleagues working with me, not for me. I enjoy listening to and helping people grow and find their own way in an egalitarian work environment.

Occasionally I write about video games and technology and livestream on Twitch. I also make notes in a mostly visual notebook and edit imgtlk, a small project about art that touched people. A book of my photographs called Windward was self-published and you can get it here. I’m currently working on a music project.

Overall, I want to contribute to a world where kindness, relationships, skills, and humor are valued more than social status, careers, and money. If I leave this world a little better than I found it, I’ve succeeded.

Email me at simon@simongriffee.com, and chuckle or sob at what I publish on Twitch, YouTube, HN, LinkedIn, Patreon, and Instagram. See my résumé.

A photograph of me drawing as a child, by my dad Peter Griffee.

Kind Words

Dear Simon, Here is the final version with the change in the last scene as requested by you. I must say that I was very satisfied with the product we made together and I also want to tell you that it was a pleasure to work with you. See you soon. Cheers.

Marco De Mitri
Freelance Animator

I really like this symbol. Thank you.

Karl Yerkes
Teacher, programmer, artist

For a designer of such creativity, Simon also demonstrates all the essential qualities of a good colleague. He’s reliable, punctual, patient and good humored.

Allison Jeffrey
Associate Director, Italian Academy

I’ve had the opportunity to review Simon’s professional work and have found it sound and appropriate and, at this point, shows significant growth.

Milton Glaser
Graphic Designer

Thank you for my beautiful poster to add to my collection! Perhaps my all-time favorite.

Teodolinda Barolini
Professor of Italian, Italian Academy

Dear Simon, Very many thanks for this efficient and super-skilled operation. Nice to see you again after the break. Much appreciate everything you do for the Academy: can’t say that often enough.

David Freedberg
Professor of the History of Art and Director, Italian Academy

I thought the love and longing category was a nice touch full of humanity. All the photos are beautiful!

Bianca Escobar
Associate Director of Art Production, Droga 5

Your pictures are so, romantic.

Bruce Gilden
Photographer, Magnum Photos

Thank you to everyone who has read my stuff over the years and given me such positive feedback. I would never have had the balls to apply for this job otherwise. Especially Simon Griffee who by encouraging me to write in the first place has unwittingly changed the course of my entire career. I owe you a visit and copious beers :)

Jillian Dingwall
Writer

Simon is a talented designer and web developer. He is not only competent in his field but has exceptionally good taste. He can guide his customers from a very rough idea to a final product that both meets their functional needs and looks great. One thing that really distinguishes Simon is that he has ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills. He understands web development inside and out. At the same time he excels at listening to his colleagues and discerning what they really want. For better or worse, many work environments have interpersonal friction at some point or other. Simon is one of those people that exerts a calming influence on an office just by his presence alone. While “likability” is not necessarily a key criteria for hiring someone, bringing Simon onboard can make a good team better and a fractious team more manageable.

Bryan Berry
Infrastructure Engineer, FAO

It was a privilege to have known and worked with Simon for six years. He did an excellent job and was an asset to our organization.

Paola Sentinelli
Programmer, FAO

Simon is a brilliant designer, a pleasure to work with, an open and creative person, honest and direct. I would recommend him for any position or assignment.

Jon Cooper
CEO, European Artisans

Apart from the layout and overall design, what is so wonderful about your work is your ability to blend the writing and the art in such a sophisticated way. One complements the other and the result is harmony and visual pleasure. Brilliant.

Molly Bianchini
English Teacher, AOSR

Hi Simon, your work always fascinates me. At first your pages look a bit oversimplified, almost ‘empty’. But then the realization that everything is there and easily found begins to emerge and they become a pleasure to use. I am very happy with the way it looks, well done!

Marco Marsella
Technical Director, FAO

Simon, As we finish another HS basketball season, as always, I bring up your memory. You are still the most natural passer and player I have ever coached. I am glad to finally get ahold of you again.