Haystack
Date: 2015
Company: Dendrite Corp.
Haystack, a now-defunct aggregated search engine for licensable, professional photography, required a sleek and easy-to-navigate user interface to set it apart from other stock image sources. From wire frame to final mock ups, I worked to refine the functions down to the bare essentials, and build clear, minimal menus. I also handled the branding tone and content, writing site copy & producing illustrations.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5f5df23600c27ad3bbec45b0c22f54e161972520ab3f9ac92285d05ba88cf261/computer.png)
The Haystack landing page was an opportunity to highlight the simplicity of our format, and also showcase the work of our affiliated photographers.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/659387e806a4c26674551f84af2826ddac5099ee85cd1b561c4db6a2c9b2644b/haystack22.png)
Our search results were quick and highly customizable - here, a user can view the various stock image sources shown in results, and filter by source. Images could also be sorted by license type, size ratio, resolution, and date added.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/293abd3863a2cab51f21bef79ec8412cb35860d5e6ef95d063c8973182dcd218/lightboxes.png)
Haystack was unique in that it offered the ability to produce a cross-source lightbox, which could be shared. This made it easier for photo editors to collaborate, replacing the typical practice of downloading low-resolution test images and producing file folders. I developed this feature, and was responsible for the UI/UX.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/df8468c0ced29ed51e7ce9660975b506d3192df452a55f7e716794ffeffdce71/image-enlarge.png)
When users enlarged an image, they could view all relevant metadata and license it directly from the provider. Down the line, we planned to incorporate a purchasing environment of our own.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0a5cac3ba3c9bd674af5e334a9f5b5ba2d43ec318dc83fd92019da71ac30a9b7/haystack-phones.png)
I was also responsible for designing the mobile application, which was similarly simple and easy-to-use.