Clare Gerrard trained in Architecture at the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge. She was invited to study in thesis year at the Cooper Union School, New York, where she developed skills in filmmaking. Much of her work since has been on or about the interface between film and architecture.

She is a founding partner with Mark Hewitt of d-squared.

As a Lecturer at the University of North London (1994-6) and subsequently as a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London (1997-2002) Clare Gerrard has evolved a series of experimental and original programmes for using film techniques creatively in design. This work has been recognised in the commissions by the Higher Education Funding Council of England to make the documentary programme "First Year", (1999) and The Architecture Foundation to make a documentary about consultation processes in urban redevelopment "Crossing Boundaries" (2002).

Clare Gerrard has produced and directed a series of animation shorts, with commissions from the RIBA through the Desiring Practices exhibition, Levis Strauss (UK) Ltd, and the International Film School, London.