“Innovation is an Innately Human Quality that pushes us to Constantly Improve our Wellbeing and Situation in Life. Design is one of the Major Fuels of an Economy and is Instrumental in Cultural Change”
— Charles Leon

Charles originally trained as a theatre designer and began his professional career working for the National Theatre and the English National Opera, designing stage sets for theatre, opera and ballet in the UK and abroad. This led naturally into designing for film, working on several feature productions.

In 1988, he was invited to join the UK’s foremost international hotel design company where he remained for five years, working on luxury hotels across Europe.

In 1994, Charles established his own design practice, Charles Leon Associates which specialized in hospitality and residential design. Working mostly with entrepreneurs and Hotel developers.

Charles is currently Past President of the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design).

Sketching has always been a part of my life in one way or another. Part of my work as a designer is to communicate an idea in my head to someone else. Sometimes words can’t explain something as well as a sketch.

When my children were very much younger, we would sit at the kitchen table with a roll of lining paper and start telling stories. Anyone could scribble or sketch down anything; it was part of a joyous game, a combination of marks on paper, wish fulfilment, words, activity and above all, something which was all about doing and story-telling. That sense of fun and joy that sketching can create has always been with me. Now it’s been passed on to them.  

Stories are told to be shared and to be passed on. Sketching is another form of storytelling. Sketches are something I wanted to share. I love reconnecting with with my local areas through sketching, and I hope that others will look with fresh eyes and find new stories and pleasure in the things that surround us every day.

“I am passionate about design, its role in innovation and its ability to transform the way people feel and their ability to achieve their goals. It is essential to understand that design and design-thinking should be at the heart of an education system and of a society that values its future. Designers must take responsibility for their vision and their actions.”
— Charles Leon

Charles also lectures on design theory, innovation, emotion and the workings of the designer’s mind. His talks blend design, neuroscience, economics, politics, philosophy and current affairs to provide a new, powerful and persuasive way of understanding the creative mind and the role of design in our lives.

He is also a guest lecturer at Middlesex University, Inchbald school of Design, KLC and The Interior Design School.

“I am fascinated by the emotional, mental, environmental, social and political aspects involved in Creative Thinking and its ability to change society. Creative Thinking is a leap of faith, a view of the future, that is condensed into an experience. In my opinion Creativity and Innovation are the process of cultural change. Design Thinkers and innovators are at the very core of this process”.”
— Charles Leon

Charles pursues many diverse interests including rock climbing and Alpinism, writing, sketching, triathlons, philosophy, motorbikes and skiing.

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Lectures & Talks

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