I'm a front-end web developer based in Newcastle, UK — focused on building interfaces that are fast, accessible, and genuinely pleasant to use. My craft is in the front-end, but I have broad knowledge across the stack: from backend PHP and SQL, to UX research, design systems, and API integration.
I currently work at Newcastle University Students' Union, where I design and maintain production websites used by thousands of students every day. I take ownership of features end-to-end — from first commit through to release — working closely with product, design, and content teams.
I graduated from Newcastle University in 2025 with a 2:1 BSc in Computer Science. My final-year dissertation was a human-centred UX research project — 52 participants, think-aloud evaluations, heuristic reviews — resulting in a high-fidelity Figma prototype for a redesigned sleep-tracking app.
Outside of front-end work I'm comfortable with Python, SQL, REST APIs, and version control workflows, and I'm always picking up new tools. I approach every project with a product mindset: what does the user actually need, and what's the cleanest way to build it?
Designed and developed a full art portfolio website for my father's painting hobby from scratch. The site features a responsive image gallery, a custom commission request form with Google Sheets integration for submissions, contact integration, visual storytelling, payment iconography, and a fully accessible interface. Built with a focus on community engagement and showcasing local art.
This project covers the full front-end lifecycle: design decisions in Figma, semantic HTML, hand-crafted CSS, progressive enhancement, and real-world form handling — without a framework in sight.
Dissertation
Human-centred UX study with 52 participants. Surveys, user interviews, personas, journey maps, and a high-fidelity Figma prototype guided by Schneiderman's Golden Rules, Hicks' Law, Fitts' Law, and Miller's Law. Evaluated with heuristic review and think-aloud walkthroughs.
Team project
Designed a real-time collaborative storyboarding tool for UX designers, HCI practitioners, and students. Template libraries, customisable assets, and group editing — informed by user research, Hierarchical Task Analysis, and heuristic evaluation.
Security
Extended a lottery web app with a comprehensive security layer — user registration and login, reCaptcha 2FA, HTTPS, SQL database with encrypted storage, custom error pages for every HTTP error state, activity logging, and security headers.
Live
Designed and built a full business website for Ready Fresh Ltd, a fresh produce supplier serving the North East. Includes a responsive multi-section layout, produce showcase, staff team section, contact form with Netlify Forms integration, and a scrolling marquee. Deployed on Netlify with a custom domain.
— Present
Design and maintain large-scale sections of the Students' Union website inside a PHP-based CMS. Deliver accessible, data-driven features across the Support & Advice Hub, Volunteering, and Discover Newcastle sections. Enhance performance, usability, and brand consistency. Own features end-to-end — from development through to release — collaborating closely with product, design, and content teams.
— Jun 2025
Fast-paced kitchen environment with strict quality and consistency standards. Developed strong attention to detail, time management under pressure, and clear team communication — all of which translate directly to shipping reliable software in a team setting.
— Jan 2022
High-volume retail environment — checkout and shop floor. Built strong communication, adaptability, and a customer-first mindset that carries through to how I think about user experience today.
— 2025
I'm currently open to new opportunities — front-end roles, full-stack positions, or anything where great UI and clean code are equally valued. Fast learner, happy remote or hybrid, based in Newcastle.
The best way to reach me is by email: lukesimo7@yahoo.com
You can also reach out on LinkedIn or check out my work on GitHub.