Celebrating 20 Years of Eyekiller
As Eyekiller celebrates its 20th anniversary, it's a moment of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for what the future holds.
The Beginning
Two decades ago, nestled in a bedroom at my parents' house, Eyekiller was born out of a genuine passion for graphic design and the potential of the web. With limited resources but lots of enthusiasm, I embarked on a journey, teaching myself the basics of website creation with a little help from a few friends who could code.
As opportunities increased, it became evident that I needed to leave my day job, rent a space, and start building a team of like minded people. The recollections of the early days are a blur of non-stop activity, filled with late nights and long weekends to keep up with demand, but I was immersed in doing something I loved and a drive to building something special.
As the years progressed and the team expanded, my day-to-day role began to shift. While I transitioned to managing the company and driving new business initiatives, I still remained actively involved with the design of our sites, acting as a consultant to the UX/UI team.
Journey Through Time
Revisiting our early projects has been a nostalgic experience. While some may not have aged as gracefully as others, they stand as a testament to our commitment and drive that is core to our ethos today. From our initial days as a website design company, it took us several transformative years to evolve into the comprehensive digital agency we are recognised as today.
Evolution of Technology
Our early focus was on Flash websites with processor-heavy animations, vector graphics, and interactive user interfaces.
However, with the emergence of Web 2.0 and the advancement of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, many of the interactive and multimedia features that were once exclusive to Flash became achievable using these open standards. These technologies were more efficient, secure, and didn't require plugins. Responsive web design emerged shortly after as mobile device usage soared, ensuring websites adapt fluidly to varying screen sizes.
Landmark Projects
Our collaboration with the BBC in 2007-08 marked a significant milestone. Entrusted with projects like BBC Radio Ulster, Across The Line (ATL), and the Big Bumper Science Quiz TV/online simulcast, we navigated challenges with dedication, often working extended hours to ensure impeccable delivery.
Over the subsequent years, we've had the privilege of working on numerous projects, each holding a special place in our portfolio. Collaborations with the likes of The MAC, the Arts Council, Mahlatini, ICC Belfast, W5, Aqualla and Belfast Giants showcase our journey's breadth and depth.
As we look to the future, we're excited about our upcoming projects with Oliver Jeffers, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and many more. Set to launch in the next few months, the projects represent some of our most ambitious and innovative work to date. We believe they will further solidify Eyekiller's reputation for delivering unparalleled digital solutions.
Continuous Evolution
In 2013, after firmly establishing our leadership in the web design industry, we embarked on a strategy journey to broaden our horizons by venturing into the realm of digital marketing. Our digital team is pivotal in our approach to harnessing the power of data-driven insights to craft digital solutions that drive growth. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive range of digital marketing services, enabling us to seamlessly integrate with our clients' teams and deliver quantifiable results.
As industry professionals, we are constantly keeping up to date with new trends, practising agile and lean methodologies to meet the needs of our clients and the industry.
Our Greatest Achievements
While industry recognition and awards are undoubtedly appreciated, what genuinely resonates with us is the tangible impact our solutions have on our clients’ businesses and organisations Subsequently the positive client feedback and the referrals we've received have been instrumental in Eyekiller's growth trajectory.
Adapting to change
Working at Eyekiller has changed significantly since our early days. The digital landscape is multidisciplinary which requires us to stay adaptable and embrace a culture of continuous learning, and ways of working. Post-pandemic, we've successfully transitioned to a hybrid working model. Amidst these changes, we've been deeply committed to preserving the culture and team well-being within the organisation. Our weekly company-wide meetings, designated onsite days, and frequent away days in the great outdoors helps build team cohesion and morale.
The Team Behind Eyekiller
The strength of Eyekiller lies in its people. I am deeply grateful for the diverse group of professionals who have come together, each bringing unique skills and perspectives. Their dedication and the support of our long-term team members, some of which have been with us for over ten years, have been the bedrock of our ethos, culture and achievements.
To celebrate our twentieth milestone, we recently gathered at the Grand Central Hotel for a memorable evening of cocktails, dinner and entertainment. It was a wonderful moment to celebrate the unique bond that makes our team truly exceptional.
Looking Forward
The future holds immense promise. With steady growth year on year and a continuous influx of talent at both graduate and senior levels, and the advent of technologies like AI, we are poised for further success.
To all our clients, partners, team members, friends, and families: your faith in Eyekiller has been our driving force. As we mark this significant milestone, we remain committed to delivering unparalleled digital solutions.
Here's to the next 20 years of Eyekiller! 🎉
