Welcoming our new Head of Web, Taihg McDonagh
On Monday, we were lucky enough to welcome our new Head of Web to the Eighty Eight Digital team. Taihg McDonagh brings a wealth of agency experience in all things web design and build, along with a keen eye for graphic design and branding.
Having already delivered a number of designs and wireframes to clients, solved technical issues and kickstarted numerous projects in week one alone – it’s safe to say he’s hit the ground running. And we’re certain that we speak for the wider team when we say we couldn’t be happier to have him onboard.
And rather than us trying to tell his story, we’ve asked a few questions of the man himself. So, join us in welcoming Taihg – and be sure to read on to learn more about him and his career to date.
What inspired you to become a web designer?
It all started at age 9, on an old Dell computer with a cracked version of Photoshop. I quickly fell in love with creating digital art, and I even started selling my designs online for in-game currency. This early passion blossomed in my teens when I used my skills to create and sell YouTube backgrounds and logos.
While I initially thought I’d become a graphic designer, a brief, unfulfilling college course led me to take a detour. I spent two years pursuing a different career path, but I always felt like something was missing. The turning point came at 18 when I enrolled in an IT course. During a web design module, everything just clicked. It was the perfect fusion of my artistic background and a new passion for building things online. I realised I could finally use my decade’s worth of design experience to create engaging and functional websites, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What excites you most about your role as Head of Web at Eighty Eight?
What excites me most is the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and driven team. I’m energised by the prospect of collaborating with colleagues who share a similar passion for our craft. I’ve always wanted to be part of an agency with robust in-house SEO and PPC expertise, and at Eighty Eight, I can see my web design skills perfectly complementing the teams. I’m confident that together, we can build incredible digital experiences and deliver outstanding results for our clients.
What trends in web design, development or digital marketing do you find most intriguing right now?
What I find most intriguing right now is the rise of “functional minimalism”, the art of using a clean, stripped-back aesthetic to create a powerful, narrative-driven user experience. I’m fascinated by how designers are using white space, strong typography, and subtle, scroll-triggered animations to guide users on a journey. It’s about more than just a clean look, it’s about deliberately crafting a flow that tells a compelling story, with each interaction and animation serving a specific purpose. This approach transforms a website from a static page into a dynamic, immersive experience, and it’s a trend I’m constantly inspired by and eager to explore in my own work.
What’s your favourite type of project to work on, and why?
My favourite projects are those where clients are open to bold, innovative ideas. I’ve had the pleasure of working on hundreds of websites across diverse industries, and the most rewarding experiences are with clients who are willing to push the boundaries of what’s expected. It’s about helping a business stand out from the crowd and truly differentiate themselves. I love the challenge of taking an industry standard and completely reimagining it, not just for the sake of being different, but to create a digital presence that is genuinely aspirational and makes competitors and new customers alike, take notice.
Outside of work, what are your interests?
My life outside of work largely revolves around my fiancée Olive and our two-year-old Golden Retriever Hugo. We’re always looking for new adventures, whether that’s a new trail or just a different park to explore. He’s a huge part of our family, and we’re happy to cater to his every whim!
You can also usually find me following the Call of Duty League. I’m a big fan of the eSports scene and love watching the matches online on the weekends. I even had the chance to attend my first live LAN event in Madrid earlier this year, which was an incredible experience. It’s a great way to unwind and stay connected with a community I’m passionate about.
