I am Scotland’s only TV Set Designer specialising in Entertainment and Arts and have designed over 100 TV sets. Having started my career at BBC Scotland I now freelance mainly for the BBC, CH4, STV and many smaller independent production companies.
Working Practice
My starting point as a designer is to think of the set through the eye of the camera, I like to create many layers, depth and texture within each shot. I design to the close-up, the 2 shot, the POV and of course the wide shot - all must be interesting, dynamic and suitable for the feel of the programme I am working on.
I see design as a creative collaboration working closely with the Director and Producers to discover exactly what is required - the ideas settle and form in my head until a design comes to light. I then make a model, draw or paint a visual image to present to the team. Working with Cameras, Lighting and Sound I create something that works well for everyone. I have many years experience of making sets happen within budget and timescales.
Trained as a Fine Artist in Sculpture and Painting I love to work with colour, either on materials in the making of my sets or working closely with the Lighting Director to paint light onto the set.
I work from my studio by the sea just outside Glasgow, with the islands and mountains of Argyll & Bute across the horizon.
Most recent productions
Music
TRNSMT - BBC 1 - Live Music Festival - 2020, 2021, 2022
Presentation Area for Interviews and Acoustic Sets
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Gillian McNeil
Trad Music Awards - BBC Alba - Live Music Show - 2020, 2021, 2022
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Iain Macleod
Belladrum - BBC Scotland - Live Music Festival - 2022, 2023
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Iain Macleod
Children in Need - BBC Scotland - Live Music Show - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Donald McInnes
Christmas at the Quay - BBC Scotland - Live Music Show - 2021, 2023
Directed by Donald Maclness, Produced by Laura Seawright
Pride of Scotland Awards Ceremony - STV - Live Music Show - 2021
Directed by David Smith, Produced by Yvonne Alexander
T in the Park - BBC 1 - Live Music Festival
Presentation Area for interviews and Acoustic Sets
Directed by John Smith
Seirm - BBC Alba - Live Music from Celtic Connections - 2021, 2022
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Iain Macleod
Gaelic Hogmanay - BBC Alba - Live Music Show - 2022
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Donna Murchison
McCoist & MaCaulay - BBC 1 - Touring Live Music & Chat Show
Directed by Dominic MacDonald, Produced by Esme Kennedy
Edinburgh’s Nights - BBC 1 - Live Music & Chat Show
Directed by Hamish Hamilton, Produced by Jane Rogerson
Alleluia - BBC Scotland - Religious Chat and Music show - 2020, 2021, 2022
Directed by Donald Macklness, Produced by JJ Macklsaac
Entertainment
The One Show for Cop 26 - BBC 1, Live Chat Show - 2021
Directed by Stephen Neal, Produced by Dan Blight
Ultimate Wedding Planner - BBC1 Competitive Planner Show Studio HQ - 2022
Directed by Justin Lennox-Bradley, Produced by Chi Ukairo
Ipswich Town TV - Sky Sport - Football Chat Show - 2023
Directed by QTV, Produced by Marcus Nash
Susan Calman’s Happy Space - BBC1 - Chat show - 2021
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Gillian McNeil
Political Award Ceremony - CH4 - Awards Ceremony
Directed by Pati Marr, Produced by Nick Nairn
Fight Club - BBC 1 Loganair Documentary 2021
Directed by Steve Golley, Produced by Pete Brown
Scotland’s People - BBC Scotland - Chat Show - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Directed by Maria Stewart, Produced by LJ Chalmers
Space Cadets - CH4 - Science Fiction Quiz Show
Directed by Hamish Hamilton, Produced by Alan Clements
Susan Calman’s Fringe Benefits - BBC 1 - Chat Show at the Edinburgh Festival - 2021
Directed by Donald Maclnness, Produced by Gillian McNeil
The Edinburgh Show - BBC 1 - Chat show at the Edinburgh Festival - 2021
Directed by Donald Maclnness, Produced by Esme Kennedy & Monise Durrani
Children’s
Olga da Polga - Children & Animals Soup Opera - 2021
CBeebies
Directed by Michale Hines-Mackay, Produced by Jackie Savery
Maeban & Moo - Puppet show - 2021
BBC Alba
Directed by Helen Scott, Produced by Sarah Mackinnon
Chips - Short Film - 2012
Clan Creative
Directed by Karen Kelly, Produced by Daisy Costello
My Pet & Me - 2017
CBeebies
Directed by Neil Allan, Produced by Rachel Bazeley
Proiseact Ploigh - Science Educational Show - 2022
BBC Alba
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Duncan MacDonald
Suspect - BBC Children’s - Crime detective Show
Directed by David Coyle, Produced by Mathew Napier
50/50 - BBC Children’s - Game Show
Directed by Angelica Bell, Produced by Mathew Napier
Twister - BBC Children’s - Game show
Directed by Dougie Napier, Produced by Kim Kinney
Balamory - CBeebies - Pre School Soap Opera
Directed by Helen Docherty, Produced by Brian Jameson
Funhouse - STV Children’s - Game Show
Directed by Dougie Napier, Produced by Elizabeth Partyka
Earlier work
Music
Elaine - BBC 1 - Music & Chat Show with Elaine C. Smith
Directed by Justin Adams, Produced by Sarah Laurence
Jackie Mason the People’s Champion - CH4 - Music & Chat Show
Directed by Pati Marr, Produced by Tony Moss
Entertainment
Angelou on Burns - BBC 1 - Maya Angelou Documentary
Directed and Produced by Ellie Taylor
Know your Onions - Game Show Pilot - BBC
Hogmanay Live - BBC Scotland - Chat show
Directed by Grigor Stirling, Produced by Esme Kennedy
Late Flytes - BBC 1 - Topical Chat Show
Directed by Jeff Zycinsky, Produced by Andrew Lockyer
Offside - BBC 1 Football Chat show
Presented by Tam Cowan
Retorting Scotland - BBC Scotland - Satirical Sketch Show
Directed by John Smith, Produced by Alan de Palette
Sex Wars - BBC 1 - Gender Debate show
Directed by Pari Marr, Produced by Caroline Roberts
Words with Wark - BBC 1- Political Debate Show
Directed by Don Coutts, Produced by Alan Clements
Children’s
Me Too - CBeebies - Pre-School Soap Opera
Directed by Brian Jamison, Produced by Helen Doherty
Stanley Spencer - BBC 1 - Docudrama for teens
Directed by David Coyle, Produced by Mathew Napier
Virginia Woolf - BBC 1 - Docudrama for teens
Directed by David Coyle, Produced by Mathew Napier
Ukool Live - BBC - Live Chat/Game Show
Directed by Trish McKenna, Produced by Ann Walker
Bright Sparks - BBC 1 - Chat Show for teens
Directed by Justin Adams, Produced by Seana Smith
Classics for Kids - BBC 1 - Classical Music Concert
Directed by David Croft, Produced by Andrew Lockyer
Victorian Scots - BBC 1- Docu-Game Show
Directed by Trish McKenna, Produced by Uzma Mir
What’s Up Doc - ITV - Live Saturday Morning Show
Directed by Dougie Napier, Produced by Elizabeth Partyka
Referees
Iain Macleod
Uzma Mir
Steve Neal
Duncan Macleod
Gareth Gordon
John Smith