Simplified UI and different presentation modes

In addition to approaching more of the narrative style we discussed with E&O, I'm trying to simplify the UI where possible. If possible, I'd like to do without pop-ups entirely. I'd rather spend the space and cognitive burden on keeping the viewer oriented and moving easily in a "forest" of themes, regions, and stories.

(Click any image to see it at full size.)

Initial Display

This is the initial view of the globe, after startup and an animated loading sequence.

It's intended as a welcoming "first impression" for a general audience. We offer (and explain) three different ways to explore the globe:

• by "ocean realms",
  
• by more general themes like Migration or Technology, or
  
• with a simple search tool.
  

Each approach will suit a different kind of viewer, or a repeat visitor with a different purpose.

(I've used "Themes" here instead of "Topics". Is this term up for discussion?)

The yellowish hint at the top is a temporary highlight, which would fade out within a few seconds. I'd like to try something like this each time the display changes, so the user has some basic guidance about what they can do.

(More work to do here on some kind of brief animated demo.)

The Search field is something that might complement the other two major navigational models, esp. if someone is returning to a favorite or knows exactly what they're after. Basically, this would sweep the KML (or other content) and generate a list of items that match your search text, in either the title or body.

(CAVEAT: There would probably not be markers on the globe at this point. Maybe regions, or some kind of default display? Labels on major bodies of water, perhaps.)

Themes menu

Once a top-level choice has been made, we'll see a screen like this one. Now the user can narrow down what they're interested in, in a fashion similar to the latest working globe.

Themes detail

Now that the user has chosen specific features on the globe or in a menu, we can show media and detailed stories. At this level, I believe we could introduce a "narrative" mode, stepping through a scripted story or sequence (as implied by the navigation dots). We can also begin to manipulate the globe more aggressively, to better zoom in on a region, follow migrating fauna, etc.