Simon Austen
Giving up a twenty-year career in engineering as a mechanical designer I spent two years studying for my Foundation Degree in Furniture Design at Rycotewood College in . After graduating I exhibited at the College Summer Show and New Designers in Islington, both giving me a very positive response to my work. I was also lucky enough to be able to attend a course on Green woodworking in the Malvern Hills run by Gudrun Leitz.
After finishing my Degree I worked in two very good furniture workshops, but despite all they could offer me I wanted to start on my own as soon as possible. Now I have my own business I am able to work in my unique way by combining engineering with the design and making skills developed over the last few years. I concentrate on commissioned freestanding furniture, but also produce pieces for display in Galleries, designs and prototypes for production furniture, and drawings, Solid models, and visuals for other makers.