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?
Personal project
Designed and developed a full art portfolio website for my father's painting hobby from scratch. Features a responsive image gallery, a custom commission request form with Google Sheets integration, contact integration, visual storytelling, and a fully accessible interface — built without a framework in sight.
Personal project
A live multi-seller auction marketplace for racing pigeons. Sellers list birds, buyers place real-time bids, and the platform handles the full transaction via Stripe. Built with DEFRA compliance in mind, navigating UK regulations around buying and selling live birds.
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.
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 doing freelance web development work — if you need a website built or have a project in mind, get in touch.
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.