[2] His father flew for the South African Air Force as a Spitfire pilot, and his mother was a cousin of the novelist Alan Paton.
[1] He was educated at Maritzburg College, followed by Durban Art School[1] and the Theatre Design Course at Sadler's Wells, London under Margaret Harris in 1966/7.
[3] An Academy and Olivier Award nominated set & costume designer, Griffin's work included Wetherby, Intimacy, Six Characters in Search of An Author (film), and Syrup.
[citation needed] He was closely associated with Margaret Harris and the Motley Theatre Design Course after arriving in Britain in 1965, firstly as a student on the inaugural year of the course in 1966, and latterly as teacher and co-director.
[1] Griffin was married twice, firstly to Carol Lawrence, a fellow Motley student, with whom he had three children, and secondly to Fiona Williams, with whom he had a son.