2. I created a complete enterprise system
in Filemaker 13 for an international
publishing startup. The requirement
was to design for simplicity of use and
visual elegance.
Below is a screenshot of the CRM
module complete with custom buttons
that take advantage of the multi state
features within Filemaker to simulate
Mac OS X and /or Windows pushable
buttons.
In this solution, I utilized Filemaker
popover functions to create interactive
menus that allow much more flexibility
then standard Filemaker menus.
Minimalist Filemaker Desktop
Clean and Easy to Use
3. Adobe Creative Suite Integration
Going beyond the “basic” layout can add a distinctive look to any
custom project. Using custom designed visual elements in Adobe
Illustrator and Photoshop is both easy and fun and will add
tremendous value to any project.
This portal comes alive in Filemaker using art I created in Adobe
Illustrator.
4. Icons
In Filemaker there are 3 button states (normal, hover and pressed).
Each require perfectly scaled images.
I have a library of 100s of thousands of icons which I have the ability,
creativity and experience to modify as needed to meet individual
client needs using the Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop
etc.)
Below is a sample of icon state images as used in CRM database
above.
5. Flat and Modern
The latest design trend is flat.
In flat design, icons are big,
bold and FLAT, and the UI is
bright and colourful.
Microsoft has adopted this style
in Windows 8. Flat design is also
the basis of Apple’s iOS 8 in
iPhones and iPads.
Flat design is taking over the
web and is becoming very
popular in custom software.
Using Filemaker and custom
designed icons and other
custom designed UI elements,
flat UI is not just possible, its
fun to create and make
applications so easy to use.
6. Colour and Texture
Today, we can choose from millions of colours for our interfaces. All
colours don't go together. I have access to hundreds of pre defined
colour palettes to pick from to create an eye pleasing design.
Below is a small sample of such colour choices available.
Applications have white space. Adding seamless backgrounds in your
design can add flair and texture to your layouts.
This is particularly true in Filemaker GO apps for iPhones and iPads.
Below is a small sample of what is possible.
7. Good design incorporates a perfectly
designed user interface and better,
more intuitive code
Better Code
The requirement was to simplify a previously written Filemaker
solution to search on any combination of eight inter related
dimensions of data for a parts database for a north american
manufacturer.
The existing interface required multiple key strokes navigating five
layouts. I was able to simplify search on eight portals which refresh
“on the fly” as the user clicks on any combination of eight
dimensional data portals related to a large parts database using
executeSQL functionality.
Simplified Design
Having everything on one layout using executeSQL made it possible
to search for parts in a few seconds instead of a few minutes. This
improved both customer service and the manufacturing process
itself without causing screen congestion.
Screen congestion can be a huge problem with many layout.
Cluttered and congested layouts are both difficult to use and
unprofessional to look at. Efficient and knowledgeable use of design
techniques combined with efficient code made all the difference.
8. Filemaker GO
A small chain of restaurants
contracted me to develop a
modern, sleek, easy to use
solution for their operations.
Thanks to Filemaker GO, I was
able to replicate their current
paper systems which they had
used for three generations.
Going “mobile” in this situation
meant creating a good design
which was both functional and
looked good.
The screenshot on the left is the
layout as it looks in the
development filemaker desktop.
Below is the finished product on
the iPad, with a lookup to add a
beverage to the check.
This standalone Filemaker GO
solution prints to non “air print”
POS receipt printers using
xPrintServer technology from
Lantronix.
Using this solution, I was able to
send printed copies of food
orders directly to the kitchen
and a separate copy of the
beverage order to the bar to
create a very useful and elegant
solution.
That’s good design!
9. Social Media Login
A local retailer contracted me to
create a Filemaker kiosk
solution for their retail stores.
On their corporate web pages
they had a process for their
customers to login using their
Facebook or Twitter accounts
and asked me to provide this
functionality from within
Filemaker.
Using adobe design templates
and Filemaker’s built in web
viewer working in the
background, I was able to re
create this functionality from
within Filemaker.
