Simon is a visual communicator and a problem-solver. His expertise lies in combining strategy, design and technology to create, plan and deliver a strategic vision for Noldor’s clients. He spends much of this time developing and improving the quality of interactions between a user and all facets of a company. For him, it’s about the big idea. Among the brands he has worked with are StandardBank, Nedbank, Investec and MTN.
Simon’s interest and strengths include business development, above-the-line and below-the-line, digital advertising and marketing, CRM, strategic thinking and planning, creative direction, styling and art direction, and layout and design.
After gaining certification as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), he began his career at digital customer communications management company Striata in 1999 as a user interface (UI) and email designer. His responsibilities included web interface design, development and testing, and site maintenance. It was during his time at Striata that he met the founders of Noldor, Theunis de Klerk and Brett Labuschagne.
After a brief stint at financial solutions company mCubed, Simon moved to TransUnion Auto. There he held the position of graphic and print designer for the vehicle valuations company. He designed the call centre web interface for the TransUnion credit bureau, as well as the layout and design for a range of guide books and advertising campaigns. He also honed his skills in the technology and creative components of digital design and development. From 2002 to 2010, he managed his own company, Cubic Interactive, a web design and hosting agency.
It was in 2010 that he realised he wanted to broaden his experience as part of a creative team; he joined full-service digital agency The NXT Thing Now, a strategic partner of TBWA, as a senior designer and developer. Two years later he was appointed creative director, eventually working his way up to the position of executive creative director. Simon was at NXT Thing Now for almost seven years, guiding and overseeing a dynamic team of copywriters, graphic designers, photographers, and other team members in developing brand awareness for blue chip companies using through-the-line channels.
In 2017, Theunis and Brett approached him with an offer to join Noldor. Theunis’s mission – to build cool shit with friends – was one that Simon embraced enthusiastically, and he joined the business as head of creative services. He oversees the design of corporate brands, UI/UX interfaces and marketing solutions for large companies.
Aside from their joint interest in action cricket, compact cars and gaming, Simon says that what brought Noldor’s people together is a deep-seated belief system about the way things should be done.
“We take our clients seriously, and we share similar values and ethics when it comes to customer service,” Simon says. “The golden thread that runs through this business is the desire to take the client on a digital innovation journey that will enable them to achieve business growth. My role is to enable our clients to build meaningful relationships with their audience in pursuit of that growth.” As a UI/UX designer, he is passionate about the process of enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty by improving the usability, ease of use, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the
