John Donohoe: Interactive Strategist and Information Architect

MY WORK

Much of what makes great usability design is based on context; how it solves the specific problems of the client and intended audience. As a result, its difficult to show stand-alone examples from past work.

Below is a case study of one of my more recent projects and examples of my documentation style.

I have also posted a selected client list for review.

LATEST WORK CASE STUDY

Oodle has been called "Craigslist on steroids". It is a content aggregate engine that pulls classified ads from a wide variety of sources into a single location allowing it's users to have a single view into the offerings of multiple classified providers.
» click a link below to learn more

The Challenge

Too much stuff!
One of Oodle's challenges is that it does its job as a content gatherer too well. As an information aggregate website, Oodle struggles with presenting the massive amounts of data it collects in way that can be easily searched, displayed and refined by the user. Their interface was seen as confusing and lacking value.

I worked with Oodle to refine their search-result and filtering interfaces by using their Real Estate section as a case study.

The Solution: Overview

The resulting solution focused on two major vectors: 1) Establishing an intuitive hierarchy of functionality and 2) Maximize efficiencies of space for a very crowded layout

The Solution: Establishing the Hierarchy

Structure is one of the cornerstones of an intuitive experience. I organized functionality into several levels. Each level of functionality is established by determining of what content the functionality affects and what meta-functionality affects it. In this case the search-refinement functionality is grouped and sub-grouped by 1) Global Search control, 2) Search Result control, 3) Search Result Refinement, 4) Search Result View, 5) View Sorting

The Solution: Making Form Equal Function

Oodle packs a great deal of functionality and content onto the page. Layout space is at a premium. Efficiencies can be created by making page elements functional as well as informational. In the case of Oodle's Real Estate search result, the page header is the primary search criteria which we have also made functional, allowing the user to redefine their original inquiry. We also made the data filter display contextually active allowing the user to refine their search results directly in the search result space.

DELIVERABLE SAMPLES

The use of wireframes and sitemaps have become the standard for illustrating a proposed information architecture strategy. I have experience creating whatever document is necessary to display content and UI strategy to both clients and internal teams.

Here are some excerpts from the documentation I created for a recent project involving a Native American Casino-Resort. The client name has been removed as these are for example only. Other documentation can be produced upon request.

SITEMAP - 129KB

WIREFRAME - 290KB