We are a Strategic Design Unit. Our work bridges disciplines and departments, roles and responsibilities; it is concerned with all of the factors around a thing, and not just the thing itself. How people work on things is as important as the work they do.

As vital as innovation is, the effect it has on an organisation (and the effect an organisation has on it) necessitates the breadth of this strategic design approach, and pulls on all of our experience, and that of the teams we assemble to work on projects.

Working with Smithery has been a brilliant adventure for my entire team. They are not afraid of a challenge and their creativity and passion have opened our minds up to more innovative ways of working by helping to shape our thinking, actions and behaviours. Their work has helped us to create the culture of change we’ve needed to continue on our path of growth.
Julie Doleman
MD, Global Expansion, Experian Consumer Services

Over the past four years John has provided the following support to our senior tutors on the DP programme; career and development to our students, design led workshops, lead expertise and provided in a strategic capacity to Dr Phillips and James Tooze, reflecting on their research approaches and practices. John is exceptionally trusted and has been invited back to the RCA Design Products programme on countless occasions, his professional approach, thought provoking expertise and outputs are still very welcome for the future. He is a highly respected member of an extended visiting lecturer team.
Dr Rob Phillips
Design Products MA, Royal College of Art

John is the single most creatively fertile person I have met in the last five years
Adam Morgan
Founder, Eat Big Fish

I’ve found that if you have half an idea that you are excited about – John probably has the other half. He has a generous imagination earthed in an intellectual rigour that makes him a rare bird. I have benefited from his eclectic frame of reference and uncanny ability to make generative connections between people, ideas, genres. Working with John feels like play – why isn’t all work like that?
Tracey Camilleri
Säid Business School / Thompson Harrison

We love working with John; he is an awesome source of brilliant ideas and endless energy in our creative process.
Thomas Moradpour
President & CEO | The Glenmorangie Company | LVMH

Working with John is great. Not only do you get to experience his creative process, you also get exposure to the kaleidoscopic ecosystem that is Artefact Cards, Cardstock (all things cards), his amazingly insightful blogs and inspirational talks, and his network of other great craftspeople. I have learnt a lot.
 
His easy manner and way with people, makes working with him a pleasure. He creates insightful outputs, with great passion and care, that inspired and influenced our stakeholders and allies.
Jim Maltby
Principal Scientist, Dstl (MOD)

It’s led to an unrivalled toolkit and way of approaching problem solving across any domain, with speed, skill and craft. We call this Lightspeed Innovation, and once you learn to see things this way, you’ll never look back. Every problem and every client is unique, but here are some examples of how we might work together.