Simone Ridyard

Simone Ridyard is a Senior Lecturer in Interior Design at Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University. She previously served as Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Interior Design (2017-2022) and currently leads first-year academic programs. Her professional background spans 20+ years as an architect specializing in interior architecture. Key roles include admissions tutor, international lead, and TNE link tutor for international collaborations in Malaysia. She has served as external examiner for programs at First City University (Kuala Lumpur) and University of Chester.

Her research focuses on on-location drawing techniques, urban sketching, and architectural illustration. Notable achievements include authoring Archisketcher (2015) and Simone Ridyard Sketchbook (2023), and being shortlisted for the UWE/Moleskine Reportager Awards (2015). She actively engages with Urban Sketchers communities globally and represents Salford at international art exhibitions like Rendez-vous du Carnet de Voyage (2025).

Teaching emphases include spatial awareness, freehand drawing, and visualisation skills. Her pedagogical innovations have contributed to high NSS scores. Professional engagements include commissions from Selfridges, Westbank Corporation, and Virgin Atlantic, alongside editorial roles with Mancunian Books.

• International Work: Malaysia TNE partnerships, SE Asia institutional visits, Singapore teaching exchanges
• Exhibitions: Didsbury Arts Festival (2015), UWE Reportager Award showcase (2015)
• Media: Guardian/Observer features, Instagram @simoneridyard