Research Pro
Research Pro is Innovative Interfaces’ federated-search application. I was asked to produce additional default search page templates to bundle with the product. The original default search page template displays categories in the left column and the categories’ individual resources are displayed in two columns in the main part of the page.
The Challenge: The basic template works for at least 95% of their customers, but when users add larger numbers of databases to their resources, the original template’s simple layout becomes unwieldy. As more resources are added, the page grows longer.
Innovative wanted new search page templates designed specifically for large number of resources. The redesign must work with the current page design.
Two Solutions: To address long lists of individual resources for each category, we came up with two solutions and I created working versions for them: 1) moved the categories from the left column to the top, and 2) used Javascript to hide the lists.
By moving the categories to the top, space was freed to add a third column (see following image). I also came up with another idea: To enable the user to quickly go to any category’s individual resources, an anchor tag for the relevant resource set was added to the end of the category’s name, which is identified by a right hand arrow. To return to the top of the page, an up arrow was added to each individual resource box.
Research Pro with categories at top. Click image for a larger view.
The second solution was to put individual resources under each resource category and use a Javascript code to hide the list of resources. To reveal the resources, the user clicks on the “+” link next to the category’s name. See the second following image to see few of the categories opened.
Research Pro using expand/collaspe function - in collapse state. Click image for a larger view.
Research Pro using expand/collaspe function - few categories are shown in expanded state. Click image for a larger view.
Integrated Patron Single Sign On
Innovative provides an Integrated Patron Single Sign On login function for users to log into multiple library systems without re-authenticating. Originally, the login page’s look and feel among Innovative products were different, as seen in the image below.
Different login interfaces among Innovative Interfaces products.
I was asked to come up with one design that would look consistent across all Innovative products using the Integrated Patron Single Sign On function. The first image below was my proposed design. Compare it with the second image – the final design that will be used.
New IPSSO interface to use across multiple Innovative products.
