About

Welcome to my cosy corner on the web, where I document my work across design, marketing, and technology. My name is Costas Michalia, and I'm currently serving as the Group Strategy & Creative Director at Fiora, a creative digital agency, and Made By 68º, a bespoke handmade furniture design and maker studio.

My background is an eclectic combination of strategy, design, UX marketing, business development, and project management, both from the agency and client side. This wide-ranging experience, enhanced by my international exposure, equips me with invaluable expertise and a truly global perspective.

A deep-seated passion for technology combined with a relentless curiosity about the world feeds my constant exploration and experimentation. Yet, it's creativity, imagination, and wonder that lies at the heart of my work, vital to everything I create, whether it's a website, a strategy, or a chair.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse array of clients spanning FMCG, government bodies, professional services firms, banking and financial services, travel and leisure, education, retail, sports, arts and non-profit organisations. This breadth of experience has instilled in me a wealth of knowledge, sparking innovative approaches and insights.

In 2003, I founded a digital agency, Crab Creative, a venture that offered a roller coaster ride of exhilarating highs and challenging lows. Ultimately, Crab Creative saw a measure of success, both financially and in recognition, earning a number of awards over the years. In 2018, I sold the business to another agency, granting me a unique and rarely experienced perspective on business, team dynamics, finances, and nurturing a culture of innovation.

Since 2018, I have been working with Fiora across various sectors, encompassing food and drink, travel and leisure, marine, automotive, among others. A recent highlight has been my involvement in designing, developing, and launching a distinctive digital maturity model that emphasises practical application over theoretical concepts. In the past few years, I have had the privilege of speaking at numerous design and technology conferences and events, and have been invited to contribute to a range of publications in the creative, technology, and business fields.

For more than twenty years, I've been helping clients fulfil their business aspirations, driven by my passion for digital and design. My ultimate goal is to assist organisations in pinpointing their competitive edge, helping them to explore innovation and empowering them to leverage digital to create and capture value at scale.