Searchable Research Library
User-friendly theological library with advanced search and filtering.
Project Overview
Client: Dr. Amanda Hackney
Role/Contribution: Web Designer and Developer
Duration: 4 months
Project Summary
The Women and Theology website provides an accessible, searchable library dedicated to theological resources written by and about women over many centuries. Curated by Dr. Amanda Hackney, the website allows students, researchers, and theologians to explore this focused collection with ease. From clear navigation to advanced search capabilities, the website offers an intuitive experience that supports ongoing discovery and learning.
Approach
Discovery and Strategy
- Collaborated with Dr. Hackney to identify key audiences, content needs, and site goals.
- Conducted user research to inform design and development priorities.
- Established clear functional requirements for resource filtering, search, and content management.
Design and User Experience
- Developed low-fidelity wireframes to establish the site’s structure and information flow.
- Focused on simplicity, academic credibility, and usability for researchers and students.
- Prioritized responsive design to ensure access from desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Development and Implementation
- Custom Database Creation: Built a structured, scalable database to support growing collections.
- Search and Filter Tools: Implemented fast, user-friendly search with dynamic filtering.
- Admin Tools: Created a user-friendly admin panel so Dr. Hackney can manage and expand the resource library independently.
- Responsive Design: Built a mobile-friendly site that provides consistent functionality across devices.
Result
- Accessible Library: Scholars and students worldwide now have access to a central, searchable resource focused on women’s theological contributions.
- Intuitive Navigation: The advanced search and filtering system enables users to quickly locate relevant materials.
- Empowered Client: Dr. Hackney has full control of the site’s growth, able to add and categorize resources independently.
- User Feedback: Early feedback highlighted the simplicity and usefulness of the platform’s search and filtering capabilities.
Reflections
It was a fun process to imagine all the ways researchers might think to look up lists of resources. After much brainstorming, we devised a flexible filter system to allow Dr. Hackney to respond to her users' research interests, and to add deeper and wider filters for more precise search results. It has been a joy to watch the library expand!