Education and research website design in Ireland for institutions, networks and knowledge-led organisations.
Make knowledge easier to access.
Senior-led website strategy, UX, design and CMS development for universities, research centres, education networks and membership organisations that need to organise complex knowledge, serve multiple audiences and support participation.
Senior-led website strategy, UX, design and CMS development for universities, research centres, education networks and membership organisations that need to organise complex knowledge, serve multiple audiences and support participation.
For education, research and membership organisations · Focused website projects from €5k · Working across Ireland and international networks.
For education, research and membership organisations · Focused website projects from €5k · Working across Ireland and international networks.
Trusted by established organisations
[02] The business first
Complex knowledge needs a clear, usable structure.
Complex knowledge needs a clear, usable structure.
Before design begins, we clarify audiences, governance, publishing needs, content relationships and the tasks students, researchers, members and partners need to complete.
Before design begins, we clarify audiences, governance, publishing needs, content relationships and the tasks students, researchers, members and partners need to complete.
That strategy shapes an accessible information architecture and CMS that make knowledge easier to find, maintain and use across the organisation.
That strategy shapes an accessible information architecture and CMS that make knowledge easier to find, maintain and use across the organisation.
Start your project enquiry ↗
[03]
Selected work
Selected education and research work
Research, education, health and cultural learning platforms designed for diverse audiences.
[04] What clients get
A clearer platform for knowledge, participation and trust.
A clearer platform for knowledge, participation and trust.
01
Information clarity
Information clarity
Complex programmes, research and resources are organised around real audience needs rather than internal structures alone.
Complex programmes, research and resources are organised around real audience needs rather than internal structures alone.
02
Inclusive access
Inclusive access
Accessible design and content help students, researchers, members, partners and the public use the platform confidently.
Accessible design and content help students, researchers, members, partners and the public use the platform confidently.
03
Structured publishing
Structured publishing
A flexible CMS supports distributed contributors, evolving resources, events, publications and governance needs.
A flexible CMS supports distributed contributors, evolving resources, events, publications and governance needs.
Established 2010
28 published case studies
One senior team
[05] Website scope
Everything required for a dependable knowledge platform.
Everything required for a dependable knowledge platform.
One senior-led engagement connects stakeholder alignment, content architecture, accessible design, CMS development and launch, keeping institutional needs and user needs in balance.
One senior-led engagement connects stakeholder alignment, content architecture, accessible design, CMS development and launch, keeping institutional needs and user needs in balance.
01 Stakeholder and audience strategy
02 Information and content architecture
03 Accessible UX and visual design
04 CMS development and integrations
05 Technical SEO, governance and performance
06 Launch, training and ongoing support
Brand strategy and visual identity can be included when the wider business needs them.
[06]
Process
A clear path from organisational complexity to useful access.
A clear path from organisational complexity to useful access.
We bring decision-makers, content owners and subject experts into a structured process with clear review points.
We bring decision-makers, content owners and subject experts into a structured process with clear review points.
Focused start
Once scope and priorities are agreed, we move quickly with a focused plan, named decisions and no unnecessary handoffs.
Clear stages
Work is broken into focused stages so your team reviews the right things at the right time and keeps momentum.
01
Discover
We clarify audiences, stakeholder priorities, content relationships, governance, accessibility and the tasks the platform must support.
02
Define
We agree information architecture, publishing responsibilities, CMS requirements and priority journeys before design begins.
03
Design
We turn the strategy into an inclusive, credible experience that helps varied audiences find and use the right information.
04
Develop
We develop the approved experience, connect required systems, and test accessibility, performance and technical SEO.
05
Launch & Improve
We handle launch checks, train content owners and remain available to support governance, resources and ongoing improvement.
01
Discover
We clarify audiences, stakeholder priorities, content relationships, governance, accessibility and the tasks the platform must support.
02
Define
We agree information architecture, publishing responsibilities, CMS requirements and priority journeys before design begins.
03
Design
We turn the strategy into an inclusive, credible experience that helps varied audiences find and use the right information.
04
Develop
We develop the approved experience, connect required systems, and test accessibility, performance and technical SEO.
05
Launch & Improve
We handle launch checks, train content owners and remain available to support governance, resources and ongoing improvement.
[07]
Client proof
Trusted by teams responsible for knowledge and participation.
Relevant work across universities, research centres, education networks, health and cultural learning.
Start your project enquiry ↗
SSPC
Communications Manager
SSPC
Dr. Reginald J. Roberts, PhD
Founder, Buffalo Anxiety
Buffalo Anxiety
Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE
IFEA President & CEO
Limerick Arts Festival
Brainstorm didn't just redesign our website; they helped us clarify our story. The new platform bridges our labs and partner conversations, making our research accessible without diluting the science.
Dave created a beautiful, polished website for my practice with very little direction from me. He has a real instinct for design and a strong understanding of what prospective clients need to see and feel when they land on a therapist’s website. The end result is professional, inviting, and aligned with the tone and trust a mental health practice needs to communicate. Beyond the initial build, Dave has been proactive in keeping my online presence aligned with the evolving rules and expectations around promoting a mental health practice digitally. That attention to detail has given me genuine peace of mind and has allowed me to focus on patient care, knowing the website remains both compliant and effective. On a personal level, I have also come to value Dave as a friend. He is warm, reliable, and consistently professional, and working with him has been a real pleasure.
The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.
2010
Established
28
Published case studies
1
Senior-led team
SSPC
Communications Manager
SSPC
Dr. Reginald J. Roberts, PhD
Founder, Buffalo Anxiety
Buffalo Anxiety
Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE
IFEA President & CEO
Limerick Arts Festival
Brainstorm didn't just redesign our website; they helped us clarify our story. The new platform bridges our labs and partner conversations, making our research accessible without diluting the science.
Dave created a beautiful, polished website for my practice with very little direction from me. He has a real instinct for design and a strong understanding of what prospective clients need to see and feel when they land on a therapist’s website. The end result is professional, inviting, and aligned with the tone and trust a mental health practice needs to communicate. Beyond the initial build, Dave has been proactive in keeping my online presence aligned with the evolving rules and expectations around promoting a mental health practice digitally. That attention to detail has given me genuine peace of mind and has allowed me to focus on patient care, knowing the website remains both compliant and effective. On a personal level, I have also come to value Dave as a friend. He is warm, reliable, and consistently professional, and working with him has been a real pleasure.
The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.
2010
Established
28
Published case studies
1
Senior-led team
Brainstorm is led by founder and Creative Director Dave Curtin. Dave works directly with clients on strategy, creative direction and delivery, supported by senior specialists when the project calls for them.
Dave Curtin
Founder & Creative Director
Brainstorm is led by founder and Creative Director Dave Curtin. Dave works directly with clients on strategy, creative direction and delivery, supported by senior specialists when the project calls for them.
Dave Curtin
Founder & Creative Director
[09] Fit and answers
Is Brainstorm the right fit for your project?
Is Brainstorm the right fit for your project?
Best suited to education, research and membership organisations with complex content, multiple stakeholders, an engaged project owner and a clear reason to improve access or participation.
Best suited to education, research and membership organisations with complex content, multiple stakeholders, an engaged project owner and a clear reason to improve access or participation.
What investment should we plan for?
What investment should we plan for?
Focused website projects start from €5k. Larger strategy-led websites are scoped around content, CMS complexity, integrations and launch requirements.
Focused website projects start from €5k. Larger strategy-led websites are scoped around content, CMS complexity, integrations and launch requirements.
Can you work with multiple stakeholders and content owners?
Can you work with multiple stakeholders and content owners?
Yes. We create clear decision points, content responsibilities and review stages so subject experts contribute effectively without turning the project into an open-ended committee process.
Yes. We create clear decision points, content responsibilities and review stages so subject experts contribute effectively without turning the project into an open-ended committee process.
Can you redesign an existing website?
Can you redesign an existing website?
Yes. Most engagements begin with an existing site that no longer represents the business, supports marketing or converts the right opportunities.
Yes. Most engagements begin with an existing site that no longer represents the business, supports marketing or converts the right opportunities.
Will we work directly with the senior team?
Will we work directly with the senior team?
Yes. Dave Curtin leads the engagement and remains involved from strategy through design, CMS development and launch, bringing in senior specialists where the work requires it. Brainstorm was founded in Limerick and works with organisations across the Mid-West and Ireland.
Yes. Dave Curtin leads the engagement and remains involved from strategy through design, CMS development and launch, bringing in senior specialists where the work requires it. Brainstorm was founded in Limerick and works with organisations across the Mid-West and Ireland.
Is technical SEO included?
Is technical SEO included?
Yes. Every build includes accessible structure, metadata, performance optimisation, redirects and launch checks. Ongoing search strategy and content can be added where it will create value.
Yes. Every build includes accessible structure, metadata, performance optimisation, redirects and launch checks. Ongoing search strategy and content can be added where it will create value.
Can our team edit the website after launch?
Can our team edit the website after launch?
Yes. We build on the CMS that best fits your business and provide a clean editing system, practical training and optional ongoing support.
Yes. We build on the CMS that best fits your business and provide a clean editing system, practical training and optional ongoing support.
What happens after we enquire?
What happens after we enquire?
Dave reviews every enquiry personally and replies within one business day. If the project looks like a strong fit, we schedule a short call to clarify goals, scope, timing and the most useful next step.
Dave reviews every enquiry personally and replies within one business day. If the project looks like a strong fit, we schedule a short call to clarify goals, scope, timing and the most useful next step.
[10] Start your project
Tell us what your education or research website needs to achieve.
Tell us what your education or research website needs to achieve.
Share the audiences, content challenge, timing and approximate investment. Dave will review it personally and reply within one business day.
Share the audiences, content challenge, timing and approximate investment. Dave will review it personally and reply within one business day.
Project fit planner · about 60 seconds
Find the right starting point for your brand, website or digital product.
Four quick choices turn an early idea into a useful project outline. Skip ahead at any time if you already know what you need.
Where are you starting from?
Choose the closest answer. You can refine the detail with Dave later.
Prefer to talk first?
Prefer to talk first?
Book a focused 20-minute call to discuss your goals, timing and whether Brainstorm is the right fit.
Book a focused 20-minute call to discuss your goals, timing and whether Brainstorm is the right fit.
Book a 20-minute call