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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.

Profile picture of Jamie Robinson

Jamie Robinson, Managing Director

A collage of professional team gatherings and celebratory events.

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.

Collage of various colourful and creative website designs showcasing different styles, themes, and content layouts.

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.

Collage of six website homepages from various industries including food, art, music, retail, hospitality, and travel, each with distinct branding and layouts.

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.

Collage of BBC website and radio show pages including BBC Radio Ulster, Across the Line, and a stylised 'Birds and Bees' page, showcasing different layouts and branding styles.

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.

Collage of modern website homepages from various sectors including travel, entertainment, arts, wellness, and education, showcasing diverse visual designs and user interfaces.

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.

Collage of award ceremony photos featuring a digital agency team celebrating multiple wins, including 'Ecommerce Project of the Year', 'Best Ecommerce', and 'Digital Agency of the Year' from various organisations like DANI Awards and Digital Media Awards.

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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.

Group photo of people dressed casually, sitting and standing in a rustic wooden shelter surrounded by greenery, appearing to be on an outdoor team outing.
Group of individuals standing and sitting around a table with snacks, a cake, and drinks, likely celebrating a special occasion or a work-related event.
Young woman with long hair smiling at the camera, holding a plate of cupcakes. In the background, a group of people can be seen in a social gathering or office party setting.
Three men with water bottles smiling outdoors near a wooden shed
Seven individuals standing behind a table with several containers of tea leaves and bowls.
Team posing in a workout space, appearing to be part of a team-building activity
Group in blue shirts with race bibs smiling in front of a yellow event banner
Team photo at an axe-throwing venue, posing with axes and shields in front of targets.
Group photo of 11 hikers in jackets smiling on a misty outdoor adventure
A group of people sitting around colourful wooden picnic tables outdoors, smiling and holding drinks, in a festive and casual setting.
Large group of people standing in a line against a grey wall outdoors under blue and white bunting, casually dressed and enjoying a sunny day.
Group photo of people in festive holiday sweaters and Santa hats, standing behind a table filled with toys for donation, in front of a screen with a holiday-themed display.
Two young women smiling for a selfie outdoors on a grassy field, with tents and people in the background at what appears to be a casual outdoor event.
Group of people standing beside an outdoor climbing wall, appearing to be on a team building day.
3 men smiling and holding baked goods.
Group of people in a cooking class workshop
Two individuals engaged in a conversation at a workspace
A man with glasses, smiling and looking at someone off-camera, appearing to be in a workspace.
A group of people are seated at a table, likely enjoying a meal or gathering together.
Group of 6 women standing in front of an outdoor space painted wall smiling at the camera
3 individuals standing side by side in front of a workplace setting smiling at the camera
3 individuals standing together eating ice cream
Group of people standing together in an outdoor setting, smiling for a group photo.

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! 🎉

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