About Us
The Experience Behind Our Virtual Tours
We create bespoke virtual tours that help people understand, explore and connect with places before they arrive.
Established in 2004 and building tours since 2007, Pikodesign brings together professional 360° photography, creative design, specialist knowledge and our own tour technology to create interactive experiences with a purpose.
Established 2004
Trading since 2004, developing software and web solutions for businesses.
Building tours 2007
We delivered our first virtual tours to clients in 2007, and every year since.
Specialist Knowledge
Our experience means we can draw on our two decades of in-depth industry knowledge.
Trusted by Clients
We have built and value our longstanding relationships with clients who trust us.
OUR STORY
Built on Experience.
Driven by Curiosity.
Our professional background began with studying Computer Science back in 1985 and a lifelong interest in emerging technology. We've spent decades exploring how digital tools can solve practical problems and create better experiences.
That technical foundation continues to shape how we approach virtual tours today. We've seen the technology evolve from early panoramic hardware and software to sophisticated interactive tours, 3D capture and immersive digital environments. We know what works (and what does not), where technology adds genuine value and when a simpler, more considered approach delivers a better result.
More than an off-the-shelf virtual tour. A considered solution.
We draw on a broad range of technical, creative and photographic skills to find the right approach for each project. From professional 360° photography and bespoke design to interactive features and our own virtual tour technology, we look beyond the standard solution.
The result? Outstanding value, genuine technical expertise and a bespoke virtual tour designed around your needs.
OUR TECHNICAL JOURNEY
From bits & bytes to 360°
<geek> A nostalgic look back from 1980 to date at the computer hardware, programming languages, cameras and other creative technologies that brought us to where we are today. </geek>
1981
Hello World
Every programming career starts with "Hello World"; in this case, Sinclair BASIC. It was never going to be anything else.
1981
Sinclair ZX-81
First exposure to computing, the mighty Sinclair ZX81, with a mammoth 1KB RAM.
1982
Texas Instruments TI-99/4A
Programming journey kick starts here with TI Extended Basic. A 16-bit computer with the CPU clocking in at a mighty 3Mhz !
1982
Computer & Video Games Magazine
Popular home computing magazine. Essential reading, adverts, and game code you could type in at home.
1983
Sinclair ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum needs no introduction. Rubber keys, Manic Miner, JetPac, Jet Set Willy, Atic Atac, the list goes on....
1985
Atari 800XL
Have to admit, this was all about the games. Great recreations of the arcade classics.
1985
Computer Science Degree
(1985-1990) Computer Science
Coding In: Pascal, Assembly Language, Fortran 77, COBOL, APLX, BASIC, Prolog (AI), C, C++, VAX VMS Scripting.
1987
Ensoniq ESQ1
The other great passion. Classic 8-note polyphic, 61-key hybrid digital/analog synthesizer and early music workstation. Still going strong in its 40th year.
1987
Atari 520 STFM
A stalwart of music studios everywhere, this Atari 520STFM paired with the Ensoniq ESQ-1 synth for music-based coding projects.
1990
1st Software Engineer Job
IPC Systems, great people, great memories, learned loads, remembered fondly. Powered by Borland Turbo Pascal.
1991
EMU Proteus 1
Rack Mount sound module to pair up with the Ensoniq & Atari 520STFM.
1993
The PC Years
1993 onwards, the 386, 486, and whatever else Computer Shopper magazine could tempt you with.
1994
Korg O1W/Pro
An upgrade to the Ensoniq ESQ-1, which is still being used today after 32 years.
2003
Canon 300D
The Canon 300D is a 6.3-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, and it was our first foray into Canon's digital cameras.
2006
Sigma Fish Eye Lens
A specialised camera lens that captures a 180-degree circular image. Our first lens dedicated to creating high quality 360° images.
2006
Panoramic Accessories
From 2003 to date a host of accessories from leading brands like Canon and Manfrotto to assist in the creation of 360° tours.
2006
Nodal Ninja 3
A compact panoramic tripod head used to create 360° images for use in our early virtual tours.
2006
Flash Panorama Player (FPP)
FPP became the industry standard web panorama player running on Adobe Flash for viewing 360° tours and images. Our 1st tour player.
2007 »»»
Web Technology
We cannot list every tool used, but here a few to capture the depth of web and coding technologies that have been powering our tours 2007 to date...
2007
First Commercial Virtual Tour
The tour that started us off: The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, Scotland. Shot on a Canon 300D and first published on Flash Panorama Player, and later republished on Pikodesign.com.
2009
Canon 5D Mk III
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a professional-grade full-frame digital SLR camera that captures images in amazing detail. Our camera workhorse.
2009
Canon Fisheye Lens
A professional L-series zoom lens that delivers a 180° field of view with crystal clear images.
2009
Nodal Ninja 5
A more robust and incredibly reliable panoramic head for heavier cameras and lenses. Still in use today.
2012
KRPano
High performance 360° tour player technology we have used since 2012 to date. Powerful and infinitely customisable.
2017
Ricoh Theta
We have a selection of Ricoh Theta "one-shot" 360° cameras to prototype ideas on the go.
2018
iViewVR V1
Grand launch of the first version of our virtual tour editor (CMS), iViewVR. Probably the first tour editor available on the market.
2020
Drones & Aerial
We introduced professional drone operations with DJI technology, expanding our services to include high-quality aerial photography, 360° aerial virtual tours and video.
2021
iViewVR V2 and beyond
Always developing: Version 2 and beyond of our fully featured CMS, iViewVR. The latest version is powered by the latest cloud technologies, such as AWS.
2023
Matterport
The Matterport platform and cameras are used to create 3D scans of spaces.
2026
Virtual Golf Tours
We adapted our own tour platform to create a unique platform for golf course and clubhouse tours. Got a different idea? We love a challenge!
2027+
What's Next?
We're always exploring new technology, finding new ideas and looking for ways to make virtual tours even better. Watch this space!
Your space. Our expertise.
Whether you need a straightforward virtual tour or a more sophisticated interactive experience, we'd be happy to discuss your ideas and how we can bring them to life.
Already have an idea in mind? From colours and branding to layouts, visuals and interactive features, share your inspiration with us. We'll turn your ideas into a working prototype, free of charge, so you can see the possibilities before committing.