DEFUSE

Design For Use

Defuse Sponsors:

Microsoft Bizspark

Microsoft BizSpark is a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups. BizSpark provides entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. BizSpark startups receive professional support from Microsoft as well as community-driven support from Network Partners, active organizations in the entrepreneurial space, who can provide guidance, mentorship and resources to Startups.

First prize for the design challenge is an xBox KINECT, thanks to sponsorship for Microsoft BizSpark program Ireland a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups. http://www.microsoft.com/ireland/bizspark/

Frontend

Founded in 1998, Frontend is an international based User Experience and Interface Design consultancy. We provide a range of User Centred Design Services (including user research, user modeling, task analysis, design, and user testing) for websites, software applications, mobile applications, consumer products, digital devices and print.

Frontend was founded by a core group of experienced interface and graphic designers; our mission was to develop a new approach to design problem solving, focused around end-user or customer experiences. Since then we have expanded our skill-base to include usability, accessibility, cognitive psychology and software development. We have built a creative team with a broad range of skills including problem solving, project management and strategic thinking.

Frontend have developed an impressive international blue chip client-base including AIB, Bank of Ireland, Barclays Bank, BBC, BridgeCo, Diageo, D-Link, HP, Microsoft, Rabobank, O2, Reuters, Revenue, Unilever and Vodafone. Our extensive experience across industries and geographical markets can be seen in samples of Our Work.

Graphic Mint

Graphic Mint is a design and marketing studio based in Dublin, Ireland. We offer Web Design, User Experience, Brand Identity and Digital Marketing services catering to clients throughout the global village.

Our mission is to help your business build engaging, trustworthy, and lasting relationships with your customers and users by ensuring they have positive experiences with your brands, products and services.

Please visit our website to view our portfolio to find out more about our services. Or contact us for a free consultation.

Blacknight Solutions

Blacknight Internet Solutions Ltd (Blacknight) is a 100% Irish owned company specialising in serving the hosting and co-location needs of business, both large and small.

Our servers are based in two of Ireland's leading Data Centres - the Data Electronics Group and Interxion, both in Dublin. Blacknight is growing by leaps and bounds with more than 120,000 domains hosted on our servers. We provide reliable service backed up by support unmatched by any provider in the industry.

As a company we constantly seek to lead the way by introducing innovative solutions for its client base. We offer a wide range of hosting solutions to match the needs of any customer. From Linux VPS hosting to colocation - we offer it all.

We were one of the first Irish hosting companies to offer virus and content filtering to its clients in 2002. We're proud to be completely based in Ireland - which is the perfect place for European Web Hosting and Colocation

IQContent

iQ Content is one of Europe's leading user experience design consultancies. Specialising in strategy, usability, analytics, content and development, they design websites and applications which are both lovable for users and profitable for business. Since 2000, they have helped companies such as Vodafone, Goodyear EMEA, Permanent TSB and Aviva embrace user-centred design to drive revenues, save costs and increase ROI.

In 2009 they launched the iQ Prize - a €10,000 competition for Irish internet startups, and were also ranked as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the EMEA by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500. They are also the only Irish member of the UX Alliance - an international network of 23 leading user experience and user research firms.