Vacancy for Senior ASP.NET Programmer
X Communications is an established web design and development company offering award winning web-based solutions to a range of high profile clients. We were established in 1994 and are now one of the most trusted names in digital media design and delivery.
We offer unique web solutions to a range of clients in the financial, cultural, and voluntary sectors. Our core team includes designers, programmers and project managers, located in the city centre. We have an established list of long-standing clients and offer a personalised service to each of our clients guaranteeing successful business solutions tailored to each business requirement.
We are looking for a Senior ASP.NET Programmer with 2/3+ years experience in a web or software company, preferably with knowledge of PHP open-source frame works such as Drupal, Joomla, Expression Engine.
Skills: ASP.NET, C#, SQL, XML/XSLT, CSS, JavaScript and other Internet technologies.
Necessary Experience:
Technical:
- 2/3+ years in a web or software company
- Experience programming ASP.NET (C#) websites versions 2.0 – 3.5 using Visual Studio 2008
- Recent experience integrating web-based CMS solutions on the ASP.NET framework
- Object-Oriented programming knowledge
- Excellent XHTML, CSS knowledge and appreciation of best practice and web accessibility standards.
- Javascript, including exposure to client-side libraries such as jQuery, Mootools
- Windows Server 2003 – IIS 6.0 configuration
- SQL Server 2005/2008 - strong database development skills and ability to understand complex schemas
- A passion for web and software development and an ability/willingness to learn new technologies
Interpersonal:
- Highly motivated and detail-oriented
- Possess trouble shooting abilities
- Ability to learn new skills
- Excellent inter personal and communications skills
Desired/Plus:
- Experience of other CMS platforms, especially PHP open-source frameworks – Drupal, Joomla, Expression Engine
- Experience with Social Media network APIs such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
- Experience with Kentico CMS, preferably using an ASPX templates approach
- Testing experience – Test-Driven Development, Unit Testing (NUnit, XUnit), Mocking
- Use of ORM technologies – NHibernate, Subsonic, LINQ-2-SQL or similar.
- ASP.NET MVC
- LINQ
- ASP.NET 1.1 using c# and Visual Studio 2003
- Experience with database performance analysis and optimisation techniques
Educational Requirements:
BSc/MSc in Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
Please apply by sending a CV and Cover Letter to info@xcomms.ie.
Vacancy for Senior Project Manager
X Communications is an established web design and development company offering award winning web-based solutions to a range of high profile clients. We were established in 1994 and are now one of the most trusted names in digital media design and delivery.
We are looking for a Senior Project Manager for a 6 month contract to cover for maternity leave.
The Role:
- Manage client accounts and client relationships
- Plan and oversee projects through the full project lifecycle
- Schedule quarterly meetings with all clients to evaluate project progress and to identify any new business development opportunities
- Plan weekly work schedules with project management team
- Set priorities for scheduling project work through development
- Attend weekly Production meetings
- Investigate and promote new development opportunities to existing clients
- Prepare project budgets and proposals in conjunction with Business Development Director
- Provide invoicing details at the end of each calendar month for work completed
- Establish good communication practice with all clients
- Monitor work in progress with the design and development teams
- Recommend changes in work practices and processes in order to increase company productivity.
Please apply by sending a CV and cover letter to info@xcomms.ie.
New Bank of Ireland Life website launched
Bank of Ireland Life is one of Ireland's leading providers of life assurance, pension, savings and investments products.
The new Bank of Ireland Life website is designed to compliment the Bank of Ireland website while presenting a wealth of information on the products and services provided by Bank of Ireland Life in a clear, easy-to-find and legible manner.
The 'Investment Centre' and 'Pensions Centre' is powered by MoneyMate provides up-to-date price and performance information for over 450 funds, print-friendly fund factsheets and fund performance graph tools.
The website also features interactive tools including the 'Pensions Fund Calculator' and the 'Income Protection Calculator' while the 'Life TV' section features regular video updates on the global market economic outlook.
You can view the website at www.bankofirelandlife.ie.
Interactives launched for the 'Telling Images of China' exhibition
X Communications has launched of a range of digital media interactive applications for the 'Telling Images of China' exhibition at Dublin's Chester Beatty Library.
The 'Telling Images of China' exhibition was opened at the Chester Beatty Library by President Mary McAleese on Thursday 11 February. 'Telling Images of China' is an exhibition of early modern and modern paintings from one of the world's finest collections of Chinese art - the Shanghai Museum.
X Communications has developed a touch-screen and online interactive application which allows visitors to read about the individual stories behind each of the works. Each painting can be viewed in detail using the 'Zoom Image' feature which allows users to pan around a high resolution scan of the image.
An iPod Touch web application has been built to compliment the touch-screen interactive application. Visitors to the exhibition can carry one of the iPods around the exhibition and listen to the fascinating background story behind each of the works in the exhibition.
The exhibition runs until the 2 May 2010. Click here to see a list of opening hours and information on visiting the gallery.
You can view the online version of the kiosk interactive at www.cbl.ie/china.
New website launched for the Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy (RIA) is an independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences.
The new RIA website, available at www.ria.ie, provides the academy with a number of facilities as well as a platform to showcase their work, resources and upcoming events. In the 'Our Work' section you can find out about the history of the RIA, who the members are, current research projects and grants and awards provided by the RIA.
You can browse and buy the books and journals available from the RIA in the 'Publications' section. Information on all the upcoming events organised are available in the 'Events' section. Where registration is required visitors can register to attend within the event details page.
Members can also log into a special area to access specific information relating to their committee.
You can view the website at www.ria.ie.
New Croke Park website launched
Croke Park is currently the fourth largest stadium in Europe with a capacity for over 82,000 patrons on match days and an range of conference facilities catering for up to 2,000 delegates right in the heart of Dublin.
The new website provides a wealth of resources for patrons, event organisers and delegates including information on how to get to Croke Park, an events calendar, details of where to purchase tickets for various events at Croke Park along with information on the extensive conference facilities. The interactive Facilities Map allows visitors to explore the amenities available on each level of the stadium. The highlight of the new www.crokepark.ie site is the interactive Seating Map providing patrons with a photographic view of the vantage point of each seating block on the four levels of the stadium.
The GAA Museum section is a comprehensive resource of information about the museum within the stadium including events listings, exhibition details and an online shop where you can purchase historical photographs from the GAA Archive. There is also information on the famous stadium tours available for visitors of all ages including primary and secondary school children.
You can visit the website at www.crokepark.ie.
Vacancy for Business Development Manager
The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying new business opportunities for the company and for negotiating new contracts and maintaining a profile in the web development sector. The tasks/responsibilities for this position include:
- Analyse market trends and identify key business opportunities
- Keep abreast of all activities in the web sector in Ireland and abroad
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all web technologies
- Expand the company's product reach and profit revenues
- Follow up on all existing and new business enquiries
- Write proposals for new projects after consulting and analysing client requirements
- Work closely with the Managing Director to identify a clear business path and to agree new business targets each quarter
- Follow up on all outstanding proposals and engage in one-to-one client communication on a regular basis
- Identify new business opportunities in related services
- Network with other small business people especially industries that require web services
- Attend workshops, trade shows, and seminars to keep up-to-date on changes in the industry
The person we are looking for will have:
- An in-depth knowledge of web design and development technologies
- Excellent communication skills - both writing and speaking
- Be highly organised and self motivated
- Embrace targets and aim for over delivery
- Be highly personable and enjoy networking within the industry
- A primary degree
The salary is negotiable and will match experience and qualifications. Please send CVs to info@xcomms.ie. No third party communication.
New website launched for New Ireland Assurance
New Ireland Assurance is one of Ireland's leading life assurance companies. X Communications is delighted to announce the launch of the revamped website for New Ireland Assurance which includes a range of new features for both investors and brokers.
The 'Investment Centre' is powered by Moneymate and is home to many of the new features and tools on the website. These include up-to-date price and performance information for over 450 funds, print-friendly fund factsheets, fund performance graphing tools and a range of weekly and monthly updates from New Ireland's asset managers.
The 'Pension Centre' is a comprehensive source of information New Ireland's pension funds and features a 'Pension Fund Calculator' as well as a 'Pension Investment Calculator'. The 'Protection' section provides information on income and mortgage protection options and features an 'Income Protection Calculator' tool.
'New Ireland TV' is an area where you can watch videos of recent market updates from BIAM, KBCAM and Bloxhams and customer stories.
You can view the website at www.newireland.ie.
Set Theatre website is launched
X Communications launches a new website for the recently opened Set Theatre.
The Set Theatre is a new state of the art venue which opened this year in Kilkenny city. The multipurpose venue can accommodate up to 350 people and boasts a beautiful and visually striking interior.
The website features information on all of the upcoming events at the venue as well as information on how to get to the venue, venue specification and contact details. A facility to book tickets online to any of the theatre's events will be available shortly.
Links to all the theatre's online streams are available on the website including YouTube, Pix.ie, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
You can view the website at www.set.ie.
New website launched for the Niall Mellon Irish Township Trust
X Communications launches the new website to coincide with the annual 'Building Blitz' in South Africa.
Last week, X Communications launched the new website for the Irish branch of the Niall Mellon Township Trust.
The charity has been providing quality social housing for families in South Africa since 2002 and has built over 12,500 homes to date.
The website provides information about the various projects undertaken by the organisation along with details of how to get involved in vounteering and fundraising activities around the country.
On the Blitz Blog, you read about the daily progress of the annual Building Blitz which took place last week. In the Donate section you can make single or regular donations through the online donations feature or purchase products or services to help with their work such as doors, windows or practical training courses for those living in the townships.
You can see the website at www.nmtownshiptrust.com.
New website launched for National Learning Network
X Communications launches a brand new website for the National Learning Network
The National Learning Network is part of the Rehab Group and is Ireland's largest non-Government training organisation with centres in almost every county in Ireland.
The website is a comprehensive resource for both students and employers providing information on all the courses available nationwide, case studies from both students and employers and a copy the National Learning Network Prospectus which is available to download.
The 'Courses' section allows you to search the complete list of courses by keyword, category and/or county making it quick and easy to find required information. The 'Centres' section provides information on each of the National Learning Network Centres around the country including contact details and integrated Google Maps to indicate it's location.
The National Learning Network website has been built to WAI AAA standards to ensure that information on the website is accessible to all users. Steps taken to reach this standard include the creation of a clear, consistent and high contrast design, using standards-compliant semantic markup and the integration of a text size adjustment feature.
You can view the website at www.nln.ie.
Three new websites launched this week
A busy and exciting time at X Communications with three new websites launched this week.
Global Coalition on Women and AIDS
The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS (GCWA) is a worldwide alliance of civil society groups, networks or women living with HIV, women’s organizations, AIDS service organizations, and the United Nations system, committed to strengthening AIDS programming for women and girls.
The website provides a resource of information including publications, facts and figures and news about the work of the organisation. A discussion forum will be launched on the website shortly to facilitate debate and the exchange of ideas and information.
You can see the website at www.womanandaids.net.
Zignals
Zignals is a suite of tools and services that provides free personalised stock alerts, market alerts and FX alerts for the global market on the web.
The Zignals website has been re-designed to reflect and showcase the range of tools and services available for stock market trading and analysis and portfolio management. The website provides comprehensive information and screen captures to demonstrate the various features of the Zignals suite along with a feed of relevant news items from the web and the latest post from the Zignals blog.
You can see the website at www.zignals.com.
Linder Gallery
The Linder Gallery website is a platform for discussion, discovery and education focused on the Linder Gallery painting, an intriguing work of art from the the seventeenth century.
The website features a Flash interactive which allows you to examine in detail and learn about various areas of interest within the painting. The blog features articles about the piece and facilitates discussion through the comments feature on each post. In the Resources section you will find a video introduction to the painting, downloadable wallpaper packs and links to other relevant resources.
You can see the website at www.mysteriousmasterpiece.com.
New Irish Theatre Magazine online publication launched
Irish Theatre Magazine (ITM) has been providing in-depth critical coverage
of Irish theatre for over 10 years. Earlier this year, the ITM team decided
to discontinue the print edition of the magazine and move exclusively to an
online publication platform.
X Communications is delighted to be involved in this exciting development of Irish Theatre Magazine.
The online magazine features a wealth of information about upcoming productions in Irish theatre including reviews, news, special feature articles, a blog and more. Readers can share their views by leaving comments on articles throughout the website. They can also share items of interest quickly and easily by using the integrated social bookmarking tools.
You can see the website at www.irishtheatremagazine.ie.
New website launched for Ergo
X Communications is delighted to announce the launch of the new website for the Ergo Group.
Ergo is a Dublin-based company that has provided IT solutions and services to businesses and the public sector for over 15 years.
The website is a comprehensive resource of information about Ergo's products and services as well as featuring case studies from Ergo clients.
The Resource Centre features an 'IT Q&A database' compiled by Ergo's team of experienced IT professionals providing useful information on topics such as cloud computing, data backup and software licensing.
You can view the website at www.ergogroup.ie.
Six Irish Web Awards nominations for X Communications
X Communications is delighted to have four projects shortlisted for the upcoming 2009 Irish Web Awards.
Looking forward to seeing you at the awards on October 10th!
New website launched for Honest2Goodness
X Communications has just launched the new website for the food and wine company Honest2Goodness at www.honest2goodness.ie
The honest2goodness.ie 'Wine' section features a large selection of wines available for purchase via the website. Each wine is described in detail and categorised for easy browsing and selection. Gift vouchers are also available for purchase via the website.
At honest2goodness.ie you can find out information about the Honest2Goodness indoor food market which opens this Autumn including what products will be available and who the food producers are. You can also browse through tasty recipes, useful information on buying foods and ingredients and see the list of upcoming events and courses.
You can view the website at www.honest2goodness.ie.
Shoreditch Festival 2009 website launched
The Shoreditch Festival 2009 which takes place from 17 – 22 July at Shoreditch Park, London has launched a new website at www.shoreditchfestival.org.uk.
The website is a comprehensive guide to all the events and activities taking place during the festival - a map of Shoreditch Park and a PDF version of the full festival brochure is available for download.
Pony, a London-based design studio – designed the new website and commissioned X Communications to implement the design in Kentico CMS software. Pony also designed the print brochures, posters and other promotional material for the festival. You can view the website at www.shoreditchfestival.org.uk.
New website launched - eumatters.ie
X Communications is delighted to announce the launch of eumatters.ie, a Department of Foreign Affairs website.
The website is a detailed online resource of information about Ireland's membership of the EU built for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
At eumatters.ie, you will find information about how the EU affects your life, how the EU works and the history of the organisation & its' relationship with Ireland and the world. The 'Your Questions' section allows visitors to submit questions which will be answered and then published on the FAQ page.
The website is bi-lingual, available in both English and Irish and also features a Flash interactive explaining various aspects of this year's European Elections and the European Parliament.
You can view the website at www.eumatters.ie.
New website launched for RPII
X Communications is delighted to announce the launch of a new website for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), www.rpii.ie.
The website provides a comprehensive guide to ionising radiation including how it affects the home, workplaces, our health and the environment. The website also features interactive maps outlining the radon levels across Ireland and highlighting the location of the various radiation monitoring centres around the country.
Visitors can calculate their estimated average radiation dose using the 'Radiation Dose Calculator' and apply for a radon test online for their home or office.
The website is available at www.rpii.ie.
Childline website featured on RTE news
X Communications have been working with Childline over the past year to design & develop their website www.childline.ie, and to integrate online support services including public and private messaging systems and a 'One to One' live chat service.
With this service young people can talk to volunteers live via the website from 6 - 10pm every evening. Childline hope to reach more children & teenagers in need of support with the online services. Presently, Childline receive over 1,500 calls per day and 400 text messages per week.
In 2008, X Communications won the IDI Website Design Award for the Childline website.
You can watch the report on the RTÉ website by clicking here.
New Website Launched For PEI
X Communications is pleased to announce the launch of a new website for PEI Surgical Ltd. The new PEI website was designed and developed by X Communications and built to run on the Kentico Content Management system.
It features a number of new sections including one to display its large range of products. The site also features an Events Calendar which allows users to keep track of upcoming PEI events.
The website is located at www.pei.ie
FITC Amsterdam 2009
FITC Amsterdam 2009 was thoroughly inspiring and we're excited to share some of what we discovered there.
The main themes this year seemed to be development for mobile platforms, 3D, and audio with some fantastic tools for each of these being showcased over the course of the conference.
Day 1
Keynote: Serge Jespers, Lee Brimelow, Mike Chambers
Serge Jespers, Lee Brimelow, and Mike Chambers opened the conference by highlighting developments such as the Open Screen Project which is an attempt to standardize display devices so that rich Internet experiences can be viewed consistently on all screens and Adobe's goal of eventually having a full version of Flash 10 available on all mobile devices. They also spoke of the success of AIR which has been driven largely by Twitter: currently, ¼ of all tweets come from an AIR application such as Tweetdeck. Finally Paul Reijnierse of De Monsters gave us an impressive demonstration of Blackbox an application that allows rapid and in-depth project documentation.
The Future's so Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades: Aral Balkan
Aral Balkan spoke about avoiding commoditization and how to differentiate your product within a heavily commoditized world. Starbucks, for instance, has managed to do this with coffee. The emphasis was on focusing upon user experience to differentiate your product, and techniques to accomplish this. Simple methods of creating a unique user experience include using what have been termed 'delighters' which are unexpected effects or items that delight a customer, always trying to work on 'stuff that matters', and asking the question 'Does it give me joy to use?'. The parallax effect on the Silverback holding page and the work of Banksy exemplify this approach.
Spiking – Fun and Fast Feasibility Testing with Flash: Branden Hall
Branden Hall gave us an explanation of the concept of spiking: solving that one hard part that always seems to crop up in any project by using the quickest—and occasionally dirtiest—methods available. Some of his techniques include only working in one tool, using classes sparingly, putting code directly on the timeline, and using components and tools such as Gaia or the Charles Web Debugging Proxy. Basically anything that will get the job done as quickly as possible is allowable and actually preferred, no matter how inelegant. This saves time by allowing you to discover if your chosen method will actually work before you attempt to implement it in your existing project. Here's a video of Branden explaining spiking in his own words.
We make. You enjoy: Carlos Ulloa
3D workflows, realtime physics, and their respective challenges were the subject of Carlos Ulloa's talk. There are a number of issues that arise when attempting to do 3D in Flash such as the necessity of fixing the timestep and calculating the best 3D shapes to use while balancing fidelity and performance. Carlos explained the methods that he uses in avoiding these problems, and showed us how he prototypes and tests physics objects . We were also treated to an in-depth explanation of some of the great material effects on display at helloenjoy, and given a sneak preview of a soon-to-be released feature on the site (it involved monster trucks!). An audio recording of the presentation is available for download.
Flash Player Internals: Jim Corbett
Jim Corbett provided a wide-ranging overview of the inner workings of the Flash Player, and spoke about the strides being made towards full indexing of .swfs by Google, and smartphone adoption of Flash Player 10. We were shown techniques for optimization, and new or undocumented features such as the updated text layout capabilities and how to simulate multithreading in Flash by using Pixelbender. For further information, read an indepth breakdown of Jim's Adobe Max 2007 presentation, or watch this video of his Adobe Max 2008 presentation with Lee Thomason.
Advanced Desktop Development with Adobe AIR: Mike Chambers
AIR has no built in API for file monitoring, and no consistent way to find when volumes change, but file monitoring, disc volume monitoring, data and object persistence, desktop notifications and cacheing assets in AIR can easily be accomplished with the use of a new set of classes Mike Chambers is currently developing for the as3 corelib, an popular Actionscript 3 class library. Mike examined the methodology behind the development of classes such as FileMonitor and VolumeMonitor, and demonstrated examples of their use.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Geodirectory.ie wins Irish eGovernment Award
After sweeping the board at last year's IDI Awards, X Communications has now won Ireland's Best State Body Award for www.GeoDirectory.ie at the eGovernment Awards on 19 February.
The award went to www.geodirectory.ie for delivering better services, information and efficiencies to its target audience (both internal and external). Key factors included innovation, enhanced customer service, an increase in efficiencies, access to local information or resource savings, simplicity or ease of use and problem solving.
Judges included Clare McGrath, Commissioner Office of Public Works and Dónal Rice, Senior ICT Advisor, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design NDA, Declan Tuite, DCU, and the guest of honour was Mary Hanafin T.D., Minister of Social & Family Affairs.
http://www.irishegovernmentawards.ie/winners-2009.html
Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer web presence launched
X Communications and Rough Magic worked together to create an exciting web presence to document this ambitious production, Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer.
Above is a widget created to allow people to share the story of Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer. The widget shows the trailer, latest Blog posts, latest Twitter posts, and an image gallery of production stills. People can share this widget with their friend, embed it on their blogs, Bebo, iGoogle, or Facebook pages, and help promote the production in a cool and interesting way.
The brief for this project was simple – to develop a web presence that would create interest in the latest production from Rough Magic: Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer. Taking our cue from the some of the unique elements of the production, such as storytelling and the notion of overlapping conversations, we decided to create a web presence that encompassed multiple platforms and social networks.
The concept is that various elements of media documenting the production, from show notes to video to visuals, will be distributed across multiple websites, allowing people to share, comment and reflect wherever they encounter them.
The central element to the production is the Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer blog. On the blog the team behind the production will document the process of bringing the production to the stage, as well as the individual performances at The Project. The blog will contain contributions from a range of people behind the production, including the actors, director and production team. Blogs can feature video, audio and visuals or just text.
Complimenting the blog are presences on a number of social networks/content sharing sites, such as:
The blog was built on a Wordpress platform to allow Rough Magic to easily update and maintain the website.
New IPCRA website launched
X Communications worked with Ireland's largest association of trained and experienced conservators & restorers to re-design & build the new IPCRA website.
The website is an online resource for information on caring for precious, ageing objects such as paintings and ceramics and also features a comprehensive database of professional restorers and conservatorers and their contact details. Information on how to get involved in the conservation and restoration professions is also provided along with details of workshops and courses available in many disciplines and locations.
Members of IPCRA are provided with a special "members' area" where they can enter their area of expertise and contact details and grant permission for these to be listed publicly on the website. They can also access minutes of previous meetings via this section of the website.
The website is built on the Kentico content management platform which allows IPCRA staff to update the website independently and process membership applications with ease. Visit the website at www.ipcra.org.
A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art exhibition opened
X Communications designed and developed the interactive installation on display as part of the National Museum of Ireland's newest permanent exhibition, A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art - The Albert Bender Exhibition.
Members of the team enjoying the opening night at the National Museum of Ireland. The exhibition opened on the 13th of November, and with limited gallery space, there were more items in the collection than could be shown in the gallery at once. The interactive was developed to solve this problem by showcasing the entire collection in an accessible and comprehensive manner.
The touch screen interactive is fully bilingual in both English and Irish and was developed using Adobe Flash. A clean and elegant design emphasizes the beauty of each artifact. Users can rapidly browse items in the collection through the visually appealing 3D browse feature, query a specific search term, or browse through a variety of categories. Each item can then be zoomed and viewed in great detail. An illustrated timeline provides context for the collection, outlining major time periods in China and Japan. In addition, a 3D interactive temple illustrates how the stunning Tibetan-Buddhist Thangka wall hangings would originally have been displayed. Museum staff can quickly and easily update the interactive at any time through a database driven CMS system.
Launch of new SVP website
X Communications is pleased to announce the launch of the new website for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
A stronger visual approach was required to appeal to the website target audience and this new design achieves the online branding goals set by the Society. The design and layout is consistent, emotive, instructive, engaging and informative. The homepage has a rotating Flash Banner containing images that convey the different types of the work undertaken by the Society.
The website has been designed to help users find the information they need in an accessible and easy manner. The public can get in touch with SVP by filling in an online contact form or they can use the ‘Talk to Us’ feature. This feature enables the website users to ask the SVP questions directly - once a user submits a question they are presented with a list of content links that relate to their query. The website has a full site search facility which provides the user with the most relevant search results. Users can place secure online donations in a customized user interface and can specify which regional office the donations are for.
The website was developed on the Kentico CMS platform enabling the nationwide SVP staff to maintain and update the website in-house. Website users can subscribe to RSS feeds to be kept up-to-date with all SVP news.
The website is located at www.svp.ie
X Communications wins IDI Website Design Award
The new Childline website www.childline.ie designed and developed by X Communications won the overall Website Award at the Institute of Designers in Ireland Awards on 8 October 2008. Two other websites designed by X Communications were also commended:
Childline was also shortlisted for the Grand Prix (overall prize)
X Communications is committed to delivering unique design solutions for all online users. We promote clean, modern and uncluttered designs ensuring that web visitors can find information quickly and have an engaging online visual experience.
"The IDI Awards recognise that a well-designed website contributes to the success of a company. The awards are judged by an international committee, to reward high standards of design and design management.”
http://www.idi-design.ie/awards2008/05a_Website_Design.html
Three websites launched in one week!
We have been very busy – we launched three websites in three days. We designed and developed two new websites for the ISPCC and Childline – please see these at www.childline.ie and www.ispcc.ie and also launched a new development called Maynooth Business Campus for the Glenkerrin Group.
The new Childline website has a real-time chat facility that allows children to enter into discussions with trained volunteers at Childline either in public, private or on a one-to- one basis. The look and feel of the screens can be personalized by changing colours. Each week a different topic is discussed in depth on the website. This is a new interactive forum for children where they can chat with trained experts about any issue that is troubling them.
The ISPCC website has a new look and feel and explains the organization and its different services. Donations can be accepted online and new volunteers can contact the ISPCC offering to help out. The website also allows for online registration of events and has a monthly newsletter. The look of the new website is dynamic and fresh and shows the organization as a positive and engaging initiative to support children. Events are posted on the website and applicants can register online – the option to receive a monthly newsletter is also available by requesting that your name be included on the ISPCC mailing list.
The third website launched is for Maynooth Business Campus (www.maynoothbusinesscampus.ie) which is a new development on the M4 just past Maynooth. This website shows the plans and layout for this new business campus and lists the existing tenants. The website contains a link to Google maps and has a downloadable brochure on the development. This new development is being undertaken by the Glenkerrin Group - www.glenkerrin.ie.
Irish Georgian Society
The new website for the Irish Georgian Society was launched in June 2008. This new website provides a dynamic image for the society on the web. We worked with the print design company Vermillon in order to implement the new logo and brand for the society.
We included sections for the different chapters of the IGS and also an online transaction processing facility for members to join or donate. A packed calendar of events for the society is updated frequently by the society using the Content Management Software – Kentico.
The style of the website is restrained - placing the emphasis on the typography and allowing the imagery and content to engage visitors. The IGS has a large membership and is engaging with their members both in Ireland and overseas using www.igs.ie.
Launch of Rehab Recycle website
X Communications launched the new Rehab Recycle website on Wednesday 23rd July. The site features a searchable list of bring sites run by Rehab Recycle and a password protected area for local authorities to access the latest tonnage figures for their collection sites.
It also features information on the recycling services on offer including a step by step overview of the processes used to recycle everything from glass to electronic and electrical waste.
It also features information on the recycling services on offer including a step by step overview of the processes used to recycle everything from glass to electronic and electrical waste.
The website can be viewed at www.rehabrecycle.ie
Launch of McDonald's Ireland website
McDonald's wanted to be able to tell their story in an open and honest manner. The site layout, content and imagery help to convey this and in particular the 'Talk to us' feature has proved an effective tool to generate a dialogue and conversation with the community.
The site is built on the Kentico CMS platform. This robust and flexible system allows for the easy update of information and addition of new functionality. McDonalds.ie is AA accessible based on W3C WAI guidelines. The CMS solution also adheres to W3C web standards ensuring that the site can meet the required accessibility requirements at all times.
Search Engine Optimisation was also considered during the development of the McDonald's website. Building the site to web standards makes the website easier for search engines to index. The content, page titles and meta data includes keywords relevant to visitors' search terms.
The website will tie in closely with McDonald's online marketing campaigns - making use of tailored landing pages which sit inside the current website to highlight the latest campaign.
The website can be viewed at www.mcdonalds.ie
Web site launched for Affordable Housing Partnership
The Affordable Homes Partnership appointed X Communications to develop a national web portal to showcase all the affordable properties available and to allow applicants to apply online. The portal is being developed in two phases: the first phase explains who is eligible and how to apply for home ownership under the scheme. It also shows details of all the properties currently available for purchase through the affordable homes scheme.
The initial website, launched in May 2008, features an interactive map linking to all the local authorities responsible for affordable housing schemes nationwide. Each authority can list homes as they become available and applicants can sign up to receive e-mail alerts about new homes as they become available in their area of choice.
The second phase is under development and this will allow applicants to apply for affordable housing online.
The website can be viewed at www.affordablehome.ie
Launch of Irish Theatre Artists web site
Following on from the success of the award-winning website www.irishplayography.com, X Communications has worked with the Irish Theatre Institute to develop the second online theatre database for Theatre Artists.
Irish Theatre Artists is a database project which aims to present and promote the work of Irish theatre and dance professionals in Ireland and worldwide. Launched in May 2008, this Irish Theatre Institute online resource is an illustrated, up-to-date, searchable database of Irish theatre practitioners: Actors, Dancers, Directors, Designers, Choreographers, Lighting Designers, Composers, Production Managers, Stage Managers and more – effectively a webpage per theatre artist, and created by that artist.
Please visit the website at www.irishtheatreonline.com
New web site launched for Bank Of Ireland Life
X Communications has redeveloped the Bank of Ireland Life website and implemented it on the Kentico Content Management platform.
X Communications worked with Bank of Ireland Life to develop a new website to compliment the sister Bank of Ireland website, www.bankofireland.ie, which was redesigned and developed by Bank of Ireland in 2007. The Bank of Ireland Life website is a clear and comprehensive source of information on Bank of Ireland's Pensions, Life Assurance, Savings & Investments products and services.
The website is located at www.bankofirelandlife.ie
New Website launched for Crann
www.crann.tcd.ie: X Communications launches the updated CRANN website with a bold design that reflects the Centre's move to the Naughton Institute, a brand new purpose-built science facility located in Trinity College Dublin.
Built on an existing open source infrastructure and Content Management System, the redesign includes new features such as the ability to display the most recently updated news items on the homepage and an extended search functionality.
The focus of the redesign was to reflect this exciting new chapter in CRANN's development. Elements of the Naughton Institute itself have been incorporated into the design and the overall look reflects the spacious modernity of the building. The user experience was also central to the redesign process; streamlined navigation and crisp layout allow for immediate access to the comprehensive range of information provided on the site.
New Website launched for GeoDirectory
Launched December 2007, the new GeoDirectory website was designed and developed by X Communications and built to run on the Kentico Content Management system.
The redesigned site informs potential customers about the role and benefits of the GeoDirectory system, and also provides feedback, support and a discussion forum for existing GeoDirectory customers.
The website has been redesigned to enable visitors to learn about how GeoDirectory works in an interesting and exciting way, using rich animation and links to informative content. Highlights of the redesigned site include: allowing visitors to find their location using Microsoft Visual Earth; informative Case Studies to educate people on how GeoDirectory has been used by companies such as Daft.ie and ESB Networks; and free downloads of example data and technical guides so potential customers can see how GeoDirectory can benefit their business.
Existing customers of GeoDirectory can log in to a password-protected area containing news, resources and a discussion forum, allowing for a community-based support system.
The site has also been given a visual and structural overhaul, making information easier to find, and easier on the eye, while bringing the site in line with the latest in web technologies.
New WebSite launched for National Concert Hall
www.nch.ie: Launched October 2007, the new National Concert Hall website was designed and developed by X Communications and built to run on the Kentico Content Management system.
The primary purpose of the new website is to increase tickets sales, 30% of which are now sold online. The second key function of the website is to provide information on upcoming events to existing and potential customers. X Communications worked closely with the National Concert Hall to increase the number of target audience visitors to the site through search engine optimisation techniques and increase tickets sales through better 'call to action' techniques and increased conversion rates.
The new site is visually richer, and provides substantial additional information on events in a more user friendly and intuitive manner while promoting the National Concert Hall brand more effectively. The addition of RSS feeds and rich media files greatly improves the visitor experience while bringing the site into line with the latest in web technology.
New Website launched for Davy
A clean, stylish design.
X Communications has focused on creating a clean, professional and fresh design for the new Davy website. The content of the website and the visitor profiles were carefully considered in order to create a design that reflects the essence of the Davy rebranding while also focusing on the website target audiences. The design blends in seamlessly with the Davy rebranding process across all media.
Considering the Visitor Journey
The Information Architecture of the website and how the content is presented was completely overhauled in the redevelopment of www.davy.ie. A strong focus was placed on providing clear and distinct paths to information for a range of website visitors, enabling them to find exactly the information they need in a simple and logical manner.
A Firm Foundation
Semantic HTML, CSS and unobtrusive Javascript objects were used to build the different page templates for Davy. This facilitates fast-loading pages, which display across many browsers and platforms, facilitating an accessible web presence. The web pages are easy to build, maintain and develop.
New Features
Enhanced features were added to the site, the most exciting addition being the drop-down Market Movements feature. This allows visitors to access up-to-date highlights and information on stock markets and exchange rates, without cluttering the screen or distracting people more general information. SIFR was used to ensure a variety of headings and other content was able to stay "on brand" while still being easily updated and edited by the team at Davy.
Team Work
X Communications was pleased to work with Zero G and the Davy IT team.
Kerlin Gallery Website launches
X Communications has redesigned the Kerlin Gallery website and implemented it on the Kentico Content Management platform. This is the third website that X Communications has developed for the Kerlin Gallery - the most prestigious and successful Irish gallery based in Anne's Lane, Dublin. The Kerlin Gallery represents artists such as Dorothy Cross, Kathy Prendergast, David Godbold, Willie Doherty, Brian Maguire and Sean Scully.
The Kerlin Gallery website reflects the design of the actual gallery in Anne's Lane - the background colour is white - the same as the gallery space. Great care has been given to reproducing images of the gallery's artists' work for viewing online. The website has been optimized for all the major search engines (SEO) - this means that the individual artists will appear in all the major search engines.
X Communications is delighted to continue to work with the staff of the Kerlin Gallery and admires the many achievements of the gallery who have been successful in launching Irish artists internationally.
The website is located at www.kerlin.ie.
More on the Kentico Content Management platform.
New Glenkerrin Website launched
X Communications designed a new property website for Glenkerrin Homes - specialists in residential and commercial developments. The profile of Glenkerrin has been enhanced by the launch of this new website which reflects Glenkerrin's many achievements over the last two years including Nominations for Irish Developer of the Year in 2005 and 2006 and winner of Property Developer of the Year in 2006.
Ballintyre, The Grange and St. Edmunds are three of Glenkerrin's outstanding developments and these are featured in the new website. The design approach was to use images from these three developments in order to present an intimate view both externally and internally of the three developments. The home page uses Flash in a 'restrained' manner - allowing scrolling on the large banner images so that visitors to the website can really experience the interiors of the three properties.
www.glenkerrin.ie is a different type of property website - it is a confident and visually structured using high quality images of all aspects of the properties. Visitors to the website can get a real sense of the quality of these properties.
Visit www.glenkerrin.ie
New Ireland Website launched
New Ireland launches new website designed by X Communications. The new website www.newireland.ie implements the new branding strategy for New Ireland. This website is product focused and has been designed with New Ireland customers in mind. The website is friendly and easy to navigate and uses the company colours to differentiate the company's products.
Brokers and customers can find information on New Ireland's products on the website which includes a comprehensive glossary of terms. Brochures on the different products can be downloaded and printed locally. The daily prices for SmartFunds are available together with the latest news on New Ireland's product offerings and performance.
Customers can gain access to their Pension details online and brokers can access the New Ireland Broker Centre.
The website is located at www.newireland.ie.
Codex Leicester exhibition opened
The Codex Leicester exhibition opened at The Chester Beatty Library on 12 June 2007. The Director, Dr Michael Ryan, described the interactive installations, developed and sponsored by X Communications, as 'A Triumph'. The exhibition is receiving excellent reviews in the media and the interactive installations provide a context for this famous Leonardo da Vinci manuscript.
X Communications designed and developed the interactive presentations using Flash. Four kiosks are located within the exhibition and they are in constant demand. Dr. Michael Ryan's voice was recorded for the voiceover and he explains the background to the production of the notebook and how the pages were originally written and then bound into a 72-page manuscript. English translations are available for some of the pages.
X Communications also developed the online ticketing facility for the exhibition available at www.cbl.ie. You can learn more about this project by reading our case study.
Castle Leslie Properties Website launched
This unique property development is a natural extension of the historic village of Glaslough. The restoration and regeneration programme at Castle Leslie is the inspiration of Sammy Leslie. The houses that have been built on the edge of the Castle Leslie Estate extend the village of Glaslough and retain the architecture and crafts of the village and the locality.
The website reflects the ethos and the attention to detail that makes Castle Leslie a unique location for relaxing and enjoying the countryside in County Monaghan.
Visit www.castleleslieproperties.com and then visit Castle Leslie. You can learn more about this project by reading our case study.
Chester Beatty Library web site launched
X Communications has designed and developed a new web site for the Chester Beatty Library, www.cbl.ie. This site is built on the Ektron CMS platform so that staff at the Library can manage and update the web site in-house.
An important feature of the new web site is the publication of an Image Library which has been sponsored by Kodak. The Chester Beatty Library has an extensive collection of images in their East Asian, Islamic and Western collections and the publication of these images on the web makes sections of the Library's unique and extensive collection of images available to the public.
Online booking for the forthcoming Codex Leicester exhibition which is opening on 12 June 2007 will also be available on www.cbl.ie and tickets can be booked from 14 May 2007.
New corporate enforcement regulations
From 1st April, all limited Irish firms will be required by law to include information such as company name, registration number and their registered address in e-mails and on their website.
The new regulations are being introduced by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in a bid to protect creditors and customers. For more information on this you should visit the website of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. You can contact us to discuss what you need to do in order to comply.
Interactive Software for Codex Leicester exhibition
X Communications is developing interactive software that will be part of the forthcoming Leonardo Da Vinci Leicester Codex exhibition which will open in the Chester Beatty Library on 12 June 2007.
The Codex Leicester, written between 1506 and 1510, opens a window onto the mind of the awe-inspiring Renaissance artist, scientist, and thinker, while illuminating both the scientific process itself and the creativity of that process. The manuscript, which is on loan from Bill and Melinda Gates, reveals Leonardo as a man of transcendent brilliance.
X Communications has worked with the Chester Beatty Library since 1996 - developing interactive digital media presentations for the Library and designing an online presence at www.cbl.ie.
For further information on the Codex Exhibition please contact the Chester Beatty Library on (+353 1) 40 70 750 or go to www.cbl.ie
New EBS Building Society web site launched
A new design for the EBS Building Society www.ebs.ie was launched in March 2007. This is the third design that X Communications has developed for the EBS Building Society. The first design was launched in 1998 when EBS had their headquarters in Westmoreland Street.
The EBS Building Society now has impressive headquarters on Burlington Road. This new design presents a confident and personal approach to doing business with the EBS.
- Features a fresh and vibrant design style
- Presents users with an intuitive interface and navigation system to easily support access to relevant content
- Features fast loading and appealing graphics (for users with low bandwidth Internet connections)
- Emphasises and enhances the EBS print branding
- Uses colours and images that actively appeal to the EBS target audience
- Uses resizable fonts throughout (for optimal accessibility)
- Is platform independent (for optimal accessibility)
- Conforms to Accessibility Guidelines
Irish Playography
July 14 2006 - Following the recent launch of the Irish Theatre Institute's final phase of the Irish Playography website; 1904-1949 www.irishplayography.com. The Irish times featured the award winning website designed and developed by X Communications in the Technology section of Business This Week, Friday, July14. The following is the Article by Karlin Lillington.
Website puts Irish theatre centre stage The Irish Theatre Institute's monumental Irish Playography site provides detailed information on over 2,000 Irish plays and productions, writes Karlin Lillington
With the launch of the final phase of a major internet archive on Irish theatre, a contemporary bard might say the play's now the online thing.As the final 1904-1949 piece of the Irish Theatre Institute's monumental Irish Playography went live earlier this month, detailed information on more than 2,000 Irish plays and productions, and contributions from 11,000 people, are now freely available online. Along with full bibliographical information, the playography offers many unpublished plays as downloadable PDF scripts, with the intention of expanding this to include out-of-print works.
"Our goal with this project is to revitalise the repertoire," says Caroline Williams, research director, Irish Theatre Institute. "We've gotten a lot attention from peer organisations in Europe as a model because there was no model for what we did," says Williams. What they've produced is a stunning archive that includes details about productions that are often overlooked - costume designers, electricians, scenery makers, as well as the actors, playwrights and directors. Even more obvious information - company repertoires, for example - risked being lost forever if not documented, she says. The playography was born out of a project dreamt up by then-project director Loughlin Deegan, now a producer with Rough Magic theatre company, to publish a print handbook that would list new plays in Ireland. But the possibilities of putting this and a broader range of information online and having it become a public, searchable resource quickly became apparent, says Williams.
In 2001, the Irish Theatre Institute met with Dublin web design company X Communications to work out how such an archive and resource might look and feel, what could be made available, and how to gather and enter information on such a wide range of topics. The resulting archive site became a major, long-term project that has been launched in three phases over the past five years, with the final piece put into place earlier this month at a launch attended by over 150 theatre figures from the past and present. "The institute came and wanted to know if it was possible to do something like this, and if so, what could they do with the site," says Ciaran Burke, operations manager, X Communications. "We sat down, worked out what kind of information they had, and how it would link. The sense was that they wanted to take advantage of what the internet could offer." Williams adds: "X Communications brought a great sensitivity to it. Ciaran is a theatre-goer, which was so helpful."
Burke says the biggest technical challenge in the project was "handling all the information back to 1904. It's been one of X Communications' great successes, something we're very proud of." Having a greenfield project is always a bit easier, says Burke, because the structure can be worked out and then imposed from the start. Williams says a huge amount of time was spent deciding what sort of fields would be used in the database. There are 33 fields of entry for each play, for example. Themes - "the bluntest tool", according to Williams - were a difficult area, mainly because they are so subjective. But even listing authors caused problems because usually there is one, but other times perhaps a three or even five-person collaboration.
Then, the institute found cases where they had different people with the same name - five John Kavanaghs, for example - and many phone calls had to be made, politely trying to verify who a person was and what productions they had been involved with. "The pseudonyms were a nightmare as well," says Williams. People in the period just completed (1904 to 1949) particularly liked to use pseudonyms, seemingly to separate the different jobs they might do: an actor under one name, a writer under another. The flexibility of the database helped to solve those problems, says Burke. It is one of the more complicated databases the company has produced, with 116 related database tables and 470 stored queries. That means when a user calls up a play, the page is a mesh of hyperlinks that take the user to further information.
Williams says the sheer scale of the repertoire posed the biggest challenge to those working on the project, despite the fact that their parameters were quite restrictive, limiting entries to professional productions only and excluding most fringe performances and pantomimes. They had no sense of the number of plays and people involved with them at the beginning but in the end, received help from over 11,000 theatre practitioners in compiling the playography. As they moved back in time, they often had to rely on reviews and publicity, as well as programmes. The Linen Hall Library in Belfast has a wonderful collection of programmes and scripts that was crucial, she says, and Dublin's Pearse Street Library also had very helpful collections.
What surprised her most? "I suppose the amazing characters that emerged, that made the work," says Williams. "Lennox Robinson, for example - he directed 95 new plays and there are 25 he wrote. I learned that [ writer and playwright] Jennifer Johnston appeared as a child actor. The amount of work people did is staggering." She especially enjoyed preparing the section on the early years. "The early phase was fascinating, just fascinating. There are the names that are so well known to us - Lady Gregory, etc - just to track what they were doing, the minutiae, produced some surprising things. For example, it was well known that Annie Horniman provided funding to the Abbey, but she also designed the costumes. I think there's a lot to be discovered in this material."
She loves that the way the online archive is structured is completely democratic and egalitarian. "A lunchtime play at Bewley's will get the same attention as Dancing at Lughnasa." Help from a distinguished advisory board helped shape the project, too. Advisors included well-known theatre writers, producers, directors and actors: Ben Barnes, Phelim Donlon, Christopher Fitz-Simon. John Fairleigh, Garry Hynes, Eleanor Methven and Tony O Dlaigh. One unexpected delight has been the ability to use the database to produce some fascinating statistics and tables on Irish theatre over the past century-plus. The institute decided to delve into the archive in this way to provide some snapshots for a findings report issued at the launch. "Usually people use it to do a specific search, but we wanted to do something on a large scale and see what you can say about it overall." says Burke.
The data include a large two-page spread showing a bar graph, year by year, of the number of new plays and adaptations since 1904 (eight in 1904; 54 in 2005). There's a gender pie chart (76 per cent of the repertoire is by male writers) and a listing of playwrights with three or more new plays since 2000. Information will continue to be added on a regular basis. The archive features an easy-to-use forms element, where an archivist can enter information, and a new entry can be displayed for private viewing before it is posted live to the site. About 50-60 new plays will be added yearly, estimates Williams. "The playography is very much the people, the actors and the writers and the production people that give life to Irish theatre," says Williams. "And there's the thrill of making something. We've made something." The website can be located at www.irishplayography.com
Playography: what is it?
- Every professionally produced play in Ireland North and South since 1904
- More than 2,000 plays
- Nearly 800 playwrights
- More than 4,000 performers
- Most prolific playwright: Lady Gregory, with 36 plays or adaptations professionally produced
- Size of database: 80 megabytes, with 116 related database tables and 470 stored queries
- Top 10 Google searches: 1) Brian Friel; 2) Martin McDonagh; 3) Conor McPherson; 4) Irish plays; 5) Paul Mercier; 6) Irish Playography; 7) Marina Carr; 8) Alone It Stands; 9) Stones In His Pockets; 10) Frank McGuinnes
© The Irish Times
Irish Islands
X Communications have designed and developed a new dual language web site for the Irish Islands Federation site using X Communications XCMS Lite site administration platform.
The new Comhdháil Oilein na hÉireann web site actively promotes the aims and objectives of the organisation and provides information on the Islands including news, events, publications and information regarding the activities of the organisation.
The Irish Islands Federation is the representative body for the inhabited offshore islands of Ireland. Comhdháil na nOileán aim is to support sustainable, permanent communities on the islands. The organisation currently have 33 member islands, with populations from just one person to just under 800.
Is é Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann an comhlacht ionadaíochta do na hoileáin amach ó chósta na hÉireann a bhfuil cónaí orthu. Is é ár n-aidhm ná tacaíocht a thabhairt do phobail inbhuanaithe, bhuana ar na hoileáin. I láthair na huaire tá 33 ball-oileán againn, agus an daonra ar na hoileáin sin ag réimsiú ó dhuine amháin go dtí faoi 800.
Check out the web site at www.oileain.ie
Redesign of EBS web site
01 June 2006 - Building on our long standing relationship with EBS Building Society, X Communications have been selected to redesign www.ebs.ie
EBS Building Society have been a client of X Communications since 1997 when we designed their first online presence. The EBS Building Society is Ireland's largest building society servicing more than 400,000 members.
Science Gallery launches
18 May 2006 - X Communications have designed and developed a new Science Gallery web site using X Communications XCMS Lite site administration platform.
The new website provides information on the new Science Gallery due to open in 2007.The new site introduces the gallery and showcase to the public, industry and academia, what the science Gallery will be in the future and what it will do.
The Science Gallery will be an innovative center for public engagement with science and technology. Housed in an iconic new building, this flagship project will probe big scientific issues through an ever-changing programme of interactive exhibitions, events, discussions and debates. The doors will open at Trinity College Dublin in summer 2007.
Check out the web site at www.sciencegallery.org.
HOK Redesign Launches
12 May 2006 - X Communications have completed the redesign and development of the HOK Residential website.
HOK Residential is at the cutting edge of the Irish property market with 5 branches, strategically placed across the north, south and centre of Dublin city. The new site features X Communications XCMS updating facility and integrates seamlessly with myhome.ie.
Check out the web site at www.hokres.com .
Transferable Skills launches
10 February 2006 - X Communications have completed the design and development of the Transferable Skills Project web site.
This project was a joint initiative between Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin and Waterford Institute of Technology. The site was designed primarily for academic staff working in higher education, to provide them with a range of information and resources relating to the development of transferable skills within academic curricula. X Communications designed and developed the website which was launched in February 2006.
Check out the web site at www.skillsproject.ie.
Arts Council receives award
26 January 2006 - The Innovation through Technology Awards, co-sponsored by eircom and Inside Government magazine, acknowledge the teams and individuals responsible for the most innovative projects within the public sector in Ireland. The Government to Business Category recognises projects that demonstrate effective delivery of services that interact with business or industry.
X Communications designed and developed the revenue on-line website in conjunction with the Arts council, who have been a client of X Communications since 1999. The system allows applicants to log on to the secure web site where they are presented with a profile driven interface based on their organisation. Guidance notes, downloadable application forms and links to a Help section are all available to the user. The website is dual language and is presented in English or Irish depending on applicant's choice, with all documents also available in either language.
When the applicant has completed their application form and logs back onto the Revenue website they can then upload their completed application. The applicant is then sent a confirmation email.
The project was judged under the following criteria:
- Innovation in the use and application of information-age-systems
- Demonstration of clear goals and evidence of delivery in increased quality of service or level of service.
- Evidence of value for money
- Collaboration across organisations and how the knowledge gained from the project can be imparted to others
The system benefits the Arts council and applicants in a number of ways:
- The overall administration process has been significantly reduced. Applicants and applications are now easily stored, sorted and maintained through a comprehensive database and digitally stored application files.
- The process reduces printing and posting costs. All applicants are dynamically emailed out log on and password access details to the site, following submission applicants also receive instant confirmation.
- Applicants are also afforded an easier method of applying due to the instant online application process and the instant confirmation of submission.
X Communications is continuing to work with the Arts Council and Arts Council funded bodies to develop innovative web based projects for the Arts sector in Ireland.
Business2Arts award
At the Allianz Business2Arts award ceremony on 31 May 2005 in the OReilly Hall, U.C.D., the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, John ODonoghue, presented Marie Redmond, Managing Director of X Communications, with the award.
The Allianz Business2Arts Awards recognises business sponsorship of the arts as well as collaboration and creativity in business and arts partnerships. X Communications won the Best Sponsorship in Kind category for the provision of services, advice and promotion to TheatreShop.
X Communications worked with TheatreShop on two main projects; Playography and Handbook Online. These projects were judged to excel in the following criteria:
- Innovation and collaboration
- Success and creativity in achieving the sponsors objectives
- Imaginative and effective business sponsorship
- Good practice providing benefits to the arts organisation
- The successful development of a mutually beneficial partnership
Playography www.irishplayography.com The Irish Playography is an online catalogue of new Irish plays produced since 1950. The site contains information on plays, playwrights and theatre personnel, and allows scripts to eb downloaded. X Communications worked with Theatreshop to develop a flexible database structure that would enable a range of search functionality. The aim is to re-invigorate the Irish repertoire making previously neglected scripts available and to promoting Irish Theatre in an international context. Downloadable scripts can be purchased through an online shopping facility developed by X Communications.
Handbook Online www.irishtheatreonline.com This site brings the Theatre Shop Handbook online. The Handbook is widely regarded as the bible of the Irish theatre industry. A comprehensive resource on theatre in Ireland, the site features a fully searchable online database of production companies, venues, festivals, funding bodies and arts practitioners in Ireland, both North and South.
Website supports Ballintyre sales
X Communications was commissioned by Glenkerrin Homes to develop a website to support the launch of the Ballintyre development in February 2005. The site provides floor plans and photographs for each of the range of houses and appartments on sale.
The website proved to be a valuable source of customer contact with many initial sales enquiries originating through the online agent contact form.
Hamilton Osborne King, the selling agents for Ballintyre, recognised the impressive results of the online promotion and are seeking to replicate this for future developments.
Visit the site at www.ballintyre.ie.
Sisters of Mercy exhibition
X Communications designed an interface for the exhibition interactives based on the tree structure used by the Sisters of Mercy to organise their network of houses in the UK. The organic growth metaphor is carried through each screen to illustrate the connected nature of each house and the growth of the order over time.
The Associates interactive provides details on the work of the lay branch of the Sisters of Mercy and encourages visitors to get involved in the work of their local house.
All the interactives were produced on a platform of Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Director. Each piece is custom coded to produce a look and feel unique to the Sisters of Mercy exhibition.
Revamped HOK
Hamilton Osborne King, Ireland's most successful Estate Agency, have launched their revamped web site at www.hok.ie. The site is designed, developed and maintained by X Communications as part of a long standing and ongoing client relationship.
The new site provides an improved user experience with clearly displayed property details, maps, virtual tours and brochures. A major part of the redevelopment was the creation of a powerful and flexible content management system to enable each negotiator to manage their property portfolio online.`
Check out the web site at www.hok.ie.
E-card campaign
The Arts Council are clients of X Communications since 1999. We have worked together on over 20 projects in that time, including development of an online gallery and library, and redevelopment of www.artscouncil.ie.
X Communications was delighted to provide the technical expertise to facilitate ease of submission of designed email postcards from the Arts Council web site.
Featured in the picture above from left to right are, playwright Conor McPherson, writer Anne Enright, Arts Council Director Mary Cloake and Arts Council Chairwoman Olive Braiden.
To support the campaign to retain tax exemption scheme for artists please visit www.artscouncil.ie.
X IS 10 !
X Communications hosted a party at the Chester Beatty Library to celebrate its 10th birthday with clients and friends.
At the event Managing Director, Professor Marie Redmond (pictured above with Senior Designer David Sherriff), announced the launch of a multimedia prograduate award for the academic year 05/06.
Details of the award will be available here soon.
Joyce and Ulysses exhibition opens
The inaugural exhibition, James Joyce and Ulysses at the National Library of Ireland, marks the centenary of Bloomsday, 16 June 1904, the day on which Ulysses takes place. The exhibition, which opened to the public on 15 June, is considered the highlight of the ReJoyce festival.
X Communications designed and developed six installations for the exhibition: Biography, Characters, Content, Family Tree, Manuscript Tutorial and Sirens. Three interactives focus on the book itself; examining the Content of Ulysses, Characters in Ulysses and Music in Ulysses. A Biography of Joyce presents a timeline of his life, while the Manuscript Tutorial focuses on the evolution of the book from working notes through to final publication. The Family Tree presentation details the intriguing publication history of the book to the present day.
The interactives were developed in Director using touch screen technology. The main graphic representations in the exhibition were designed by X Communications's Creative Director, Niall Sweeney, and his design team.
The exhibition is designed to allow different levels of involvement and appeal to a wide range of visitors, from those who have never read Joyce to the Joycean academic.
Open to the public until July 2005.
'Unmissable' - The Irish Times
2004 Meteor Music Awards
The Meteor Ireland Music Awards web site is the place for all music fans to visit.
Here you can find details of the nominees and vote for your favorite star online. This is the spot to find all the latest news, keeping you up to date with the fast growing line up of artists who will perform on the night and the celebrity presenters. On the site you can also find a photo gallery of previous awards ceremonies and this year's launch.
X Communications designed, developed and hosts this web site. The site features a Flash home page with a timer counting down to the awards night. The site was developed using ASP technology with a Microsoft Access backend.
HEAnet
HEAnet, Ireland's National Education and Research Network, has launched a new web site designed and developed by X Communications.
The site features an Intranet and an extensive Information Resources Zone, which gathers together the best online resources in Ireland and worldwide under specific subject areas. The site can be easily updated by HEAnet staff through a custom built content management system. The entire development uses only open source technology, such as PHP and MySQL, and is Bobby approved.
Visit the web site at www.heanet.ie.
Meteor
Meteor Mobile Communications has launched a new look web site. The design features an animated home page and a strong brand identity throughout.
Visit the web site at www.meteor.ie.
HOK
HOK Fine Art (a division of HOK Residential) has a renowned reputation for the auctioning of antiques & fine art and unparalleled expertise in valuations.
This month the company launched their web site which features illustrated catalogues and provides information on upcoming and previous auctions. The site is a database-driven and site managed to allow quick and easy updating by the staff at HOK Fine Art.
View the web site at www.hokfineart.com.
Accessibility
X Communications always uses an inclusive user-centered design process. We believe that developing an accessible web site contributes to overall usability and ultimately delivers a better interface design for all users.
We can advise on the most suitable standard for you and can develop a new web site to the chosen specification. Going forward, we will develop all new web sites to WAI Priority 1 at a minimum, for no extra charge. X Communications can also audit your existing web site, produce recommendations and implement accessibility to the appropriate standard.
For general information and recommendations on web site accessibility read our Web Accessibility Guidelines [PDF: 31KB].
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ICAD Award Nomination
X Communications has been nominated for an ICAD award in interactive design, for our work in the Ulysses at the National Library exhibition.
The annual awards from the Institute of Creative Advertising & Design are among the most prestigious design awards in Ireland. The 2004 awards ceremony takes place on Thursday December 2nd, 2004.
X Communications is a previous ICAD award winner: the interactive installation of the Francis Bacon Studio in the Hugh Lane Gallery, was winner of a bronze bell at the 2002 ICAD awards. In 2000, the Book of Kells CD-ROM won a bronze bell at the ICAD awards and the Chogonka Scroll CD-ROM developed for the Chester Beatty Library won a silver bell at the 1998 ICAD awards.
The exhibition runs at the National Library of Ireland until July 2005.
Joyce & Ulysses Exhibition
At the Institute of Creative Advertising and Design Awards 2004, hosted at the Irish Film Institute, X Communications was presented with the award in the Interactive Kiosk and Installation category.
The ICAD Awards are the most prestigious awards for the Irish Advertising and Design Industry. 2004 marked X Communications' fourth success in the awards since 1998.
Theatre Shop goes live
Patricia Quinn, Director of the Arts Council, launched www.irishtheatreonline.com - designed and built by X Communications - at the Liberty Hall theatre on October 3, 2003.
This new site brings online the Theatre Shop Handbook, widely regarded as the bible of the Irish theatre industry. A comprehensive resource on theatre in Ireland, the new site features a fully searchable online database of production companies, venues, festivals, funding bodies and arts practitioners in Ireland, both North and South.
X Communications continues to work with Theatre Shop on Playography, a second major database development which will catalogue all plays published since the foundation of the National Theatre. Playography is due to launch online at the end of this year.
Joyce Exhibition
X Communications has been chosen to design a series of digital interactives and displays for a major exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses.
Working in partnership with exhibition designers Orna Hanly Architect, X Communications will design digital displays of Joyce manuscripts for Ulysses, to be viewed for the first time ever in public. The manuscripts acquired by the National Library in 2002 form the centrepiece of Joyce and Ulysses at the National Library, an exhibition due to open in May 2004. Further interactive installations will explore themes, details and other written materials found amongst the Joyce papers.
The X Communications approach to digital design will allow exhibition visitors and Joyce scholars to view manuscripts in detail and gain valuable insight into Joyces techniques and writing processes.
Gaeltacht
A new website dedicated to the arts in the Gaeltacht areas of Ireland has been launched by X Communications.
The site has News and Events listings for the arts community in all the Gaeltacht areas. It also has a searchable database of artists and groups who work as gaeilge.
Visit the site at www.ealain.ie.
Smart Funds
Designed to support and promote the Smart Funds range of products offered by New Ireland Assurance and Bank of Ireland Life.
New Ireland
Featuring an animated home page developed in Flash. The site features comprehensive information on New Ireland's PRSA products in a clear easily navigable site.
Bank Of Ireland Life
A different approach to promoting PRSAs, using quirky photography together with well structured information.
Three of the country's leading PRSA providers have chosen X Communications to design their sites. Each has a unique design tailored to the clients marketing aims.
http://www.bankofirelandlife.ie/
Irish Life launches
Irish Life has launched a web site designed by X Communications to promote its new PRSA products and to allow employers to designate online.
With the designation deadline fast approaching this facility is expected to be much in demand. Irish Life aims to make this process as easy as possible by providing information, resources and an online designation form for users.
The web site includes a number of useful interactive tools which allow users to investigate the value of their PRSA in years to come or to calculate the amount they need to invest to achieve their pension target. There is also an interactive tool which allows investors to select the best investment option for their chosen level of risk and reward.
The web site features warm, bright graphics and a Flash animated home page. The web site is user centered and includes detailed product information and downloadable booklets in language which has won a a "Plain English" award.
This is the latest in a suite of Irish Life web sites designed by X Communications. It is supported by an associated CD ROM and screensaver both developed by X Communications to promote the web site among brookers.
Visit the Irish Life PRSA web site .
Trinity College Admissions launches
Trinity College has launched a new Admissions Office web site at www.tcd.ie/Admissions designed and developed by X Communications.
The web site is database driven, content managed and actively targets users with the application information specific to them. For more information please see the Trinity Admissions Office case study in the Our Work section.
Homeless Agency launches
The Homeless Agency has launched a web site designed, developed and hosted by X Communications.
The web site features the work of the agency and a searchable directory of services available to people who are homeless or working in the sector. There are also searchable dirtectories of the Homeless Agency Training Programme and the agency's extensive range of publications. Noticeboards are available on the site and users can request that a notice be displayed. The site is largely database driven and content managed allowing agency staff to update and add to content easily.
Visit the web site at www.homelessagency.ie.
Hamilton Osborne King launches
Hamilton Osborne King has launched a web site designed, developed and hosted by X Communications to service its growing group of Property Investors.
The web site provides details of HOK's Investment portfolio of national and international properties. New users to may register online and syndicated users can access information specific to their property portfolio. The web site is largely database driven and content managed to allow for user and site administration by HOK Investment Managers.
Visit the web site at www.hok.ie/investors.
Irish Playography launches
The Playography database contains a record of 1,180 plays, also holding information on venues, theatre companies and festivals, actors and production personnel.
Amongst the bigoraphies available on the site there are 440 playrights, 346 directors, and 2,379 actors. In all there are over 500 categories of production personnel.
X Communications worked with Theatreshop to develop a comprehensive easily extensible database structure that would enable a range of search functionality on the site. The aim is to re-invigorate the Irish repertoire making available previously neglected scripts.
Dowloadable scripts can be purchased through an online shopping facility developed by X Communications using the WorldPay transaction system.
Abbey Theatre launches
The Abbey Theatre has launched it's revamped web site www.abbeytheatre.ie, which was designed and developed by X Communications.
In 2004 the Abbey will celebrate its centenary and an exciting programme has been put in place. The web site details the productions and events occuring throughout the year, facilitates online booking and presents news and background information on the theatre. Check out the web site at www.abbeytheatre.ie.
The Arts Council launches
The Arts Council today launched it's revamped web site www.artscouncil.ie, which was designed and developed by X Communications. In addition to information on the Arts Council's organisation, activities and resources; three new sub sites have been launched. These are Auditoria, The Arts Plan 2002-2006 and Art Matters.
Auditoria is a database driven site containing information on 230 venues throughout Ireland. Detailed technical information is available for approximately 100 of these venues. From stage dimensions to rigging information, from front of house facilities to details on delivery access for trucks and vans, Auditoria provides an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the arts in Ireland. www.artscouncil.ie/
The Arts Plan site illustrates the background, strategy and implementation procedures for the Arts Plan 2002-2006. The site serves to inform the arts community and interested parties on the Arts Council's vision for future development in the Arts. http://www.artscouncil.ie/en/arts_in_ireland.aspx
Art Matter is the monthly online newsletter from the Arts Council. The site provides up to date features, articles and news on the Arts in Ireland. http://www.artscouncil.ie/en/newsletter.aspx
Hamilton Osborne King website launched
Hamilton Osborne King has launched its new property web site, designed, developed and hosted by X Communications, Irelands leading Internet design and development house.
www.hok.ie provides users with a best of breed online property resource and positions Hamilton Osborne King at the forefront of providing property services on the web.
The new site offers a full property search facility of the Hamilton Osborne King portfolio of commercial property, new homes and foreign homes in a crisp and modern design. Users get exactly what they want from hok.ie - up to date details and photographs of properties for sale, rent or lease in Ireland and abroad, and comprehensive support and contact information.
Anglo Irish Bank launch new site
Anglo Irish Bank have launched their new corporate web site www.angloirishbank.ie designed, developed and hosted by X Communications. The new site offers the user a best of breed online corporate experience with one of Irelands most successful banks.
The design focus is on relationship banking. X Communications presents Anglo Irish Bank with an upbeat look and feel, a welcome departure from the clinical approach to online bank design. Photographic cityscape images reflect the banks international presence and reputation while keeping a local feel for users visiting from Ireland, UK, USA, Isle of Man, Switzerland and Australia. Site content is presented in both French and German for European visitors.
The new site features a variety of interactive content such as web cast presentations, online forms and detailed client questionnaires on Anglo Irish Banks unique products and services; a comprehensive site search facility and a live share price facility for shareholders and the press. A daily Financial & Market news section provides up to date analysis on key financial issues and trends while the specialist Investor Relations section details up to the minute activity on Anglo Irish Bank in the marketplace.
Chester Beatty Library
The Chester Beatty Library has launched a new enhanced web site designed by X Communications, Ireland's leading Internet design and development house.
www.cbl.ie is an online showcase for one of the richest collections of ancient Asian and Islamic antiquities in the world.
The design concept stays close to the original site, also designed by X Communications, which was awarded the Doras Ab by the Doras Directory. Unique design elements from the collection feature throughout while users navigate easily through the site information. A significant addition to the new CBL site is an image gallery, containing selected images from the Library's East Asian, Islamic and Western Collections. The images are given ample space against a white background for maximum impact and colour and details are also available.
2001 D&AD Award
X Communications, one of Ireland's leading design and development houses has won a British Design and Art Direction Award (D&AD Yellow Pencil) for the Book of Kells CD-ROM.
X Communications' innovative idea to digitise Ireland's most famous national treasure took over three years.
The centrepiece of the CD-ROM is the manuscript itself: all 680 pages (340 folios) are available. The CD-ROM features detailed images of the main illustrated pages and zoom features allow users to explore the manuscript's magnificent detail. Decorative and symbolic themes found throughout the manuscript are explored and the history of the manuscript is narrated by Olivia O'Leary and Stephen Rea.
The CD-ROM is on sale at www.bookofkells.com and from the Trinity College Library Bookshop.
Francis Bacon Microgallery
The Francis Bacon Microgallery, an interactive touchscreen presentation system designed and developed by X Communications was launched today (Wednesday 23th May 2001) at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin.
The interactive details the life and works of celebrated Irish artist, Francis Bacon. Visitors to the Francis Bacon Studio are invited to interact with and navigate X Communications' dynamic touchscreen presentation system. The Microgallery highlights aspects of the Studio project, the studio process, studio relocation, studio artefacts and a range of photographs, slashed canvases and other artist materials. It also features useful background information on the artists varying interests and techniques.
The Francis Bacon Studio will remain on permanent exhibition at the Hugh Lane Gallery.