Training

Stephanie trained as a designer under Margaret Harris at Motley Theatre Design Coursel which was then based at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London. She worked as a designer for 10 years before taking a career break to raise a family. She is originally from Newcastle upon Tyne and still has family there. Her first work as a designer was at the People's Theatre in Newcastle in 1980 and this experience was to stimulate an interest in pursuing design as a career. She began an Art History degree at Sussex University of which she completed two years before being offered a place on the design course at the Riverside Studios by Margaret Harris on the strength of her portfolio. Also in her year were Paul Brown, Vanessa Clegg, Michael Vale, Lia Cramer, Blaithin Sheerin, Gary Thorne, Marjoke Henrichs, David Van Oss and David Neat. During her year at Motley she worked with Danny Boyle, Edward Bond and Bill Gaskill on projects at the Royal Court Theatre, the Theatre Royal Stratford East, and the Roundhouse in Camden and co-designed a production of Cat among the Pigeons at the Drama Centre with Gary Thorne.

Career

During the following decade she worked for various theatres including the Young Vic Theatre, the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, the Etcetera Theatre, Theatre 503, Chester Gateway Theatre, Bridge Lane Theatre and the Riverside Studios before turning to film work. During the following two years she worked for the National Film & Television School, Arts Council films and Pointlane films on a feature starring Ray Winstone, Jason Connery and Amanda Donohoe.

Career break

Stephanie took a complete break from work after having a son with Paul Mattsson a press photographer. Her son is now also hoping to pursue a career in photography. After her marriage ended she moved back to Newcastle with her son where she completed a degree in English Literature at Newcastle University. During the course she met her second husband Thomas Stewart an architect in the scottish borders, and after two years they were married and moved to the countryside where they grew most of their own food. When this marriage ended Stephanie decided to return to work as a designer.

Back to work

While she looked after her mother she started to upload work and approach agents and is now represented by Michael Finch at Luxfactor. Her recent work has included a short film called Walls directed by Alex Lambert and chosen to be screened at BAFTA and The Hartlepool Monkey a film opera by Paul Sartin and Andy Mellon of Bellowhead which received 4 star reviews when it was premiered in London last year