Who we are
Locus Design + Innovation was co-founded by Dr Manos Chatzakis and Neil Smith — bringing together hands-on design strategy with deep research into how organisations actually innovate. The practice is grounded in academic research, peer-reviewed publications, and direct engagement with businesses of every scale.
Co-founder & Director
Design strategist with a PhD in design-led innovation from Northumbria University. Background in industrial product design (BA, MA). Expertise in design thinking, strategic design, co-creation, and visual tools for mapping complexity. Based in Chania, Crete.
Co-founder & Director
Design-led innovation practitioner with extensive experience in organisational behaviour, co-creation facilitation, and building innovation capabilities. Specialist in understanding what blocks or enables creative work — and designing the conditions for it to thrive. Based in the UK.
Extended network
Locus works with a curated network of specialist collaborators — researchers, facilitators, designers, and sector experts — assembled to match the specific needs of each engagement. We scale the team to the challenge, not the other way around.
Next step
The Clarity Session is a structured 120-minute strategic conversation. We map your situation, surface the real challenge, and identify the right next move.