Projects/Usability/HIG/Layout/NavigationPatterns

Purpose

Navigation Patterns are determined by the structure of the application content. Navigation patterns can be combined with command patterns to design the complete layout for your application.

Guidelines

Patterns for a flat content structure

When pieces of application content are not grouped, the content structure is flat.

Examples include a playlist, a slideshow or a list of documents or contacts.

One at a time

These patterns are useful when each piece of content is meant to be shown one at a time.
Controls are provided to allow the user to move from one piece of content to the next.
Examples include a slideshow, or a video or music playlist, a web browser or setup for newly installed software

Multiple at once

These patterns are useful when multiple pieces of content are intended to be shown at once.
All essential information about each piece of content is visible or accessible within the pattern without changing layout.
If more space is needed to show the details of a selected piece of content consider the Master-Detail patterns.

Master-Detail

These patterns are useful when multiple pieces of content are intended to be shown at once alongside with a more larger, more complete presentation of the selected item.
Examples include a contact list that shows the full details of the contact when selected, or a slideshow with the "film-strip" to select photographs.

Patterns for a 2-deep content structure

When all application content are grouped into top-level categories, the content structure is 2-deep.

Examples include picture albums, music albums, an email folder or tags.

Combination patterns

Any flat navigation pattern could be combined to create a 2-deep navigation patterns. However, to maintain visual consistency across applications we recommend always starting with the List-Detail pattern. A few examples are shown above.

Unique 2-deep patterns

The Collapsible List pattern is a space-efficient way of showing 2-deep content. This pattern is useful for plasmoids and applications where the layout must be compact.
The Crossbar pattern arranges categories vertically and the content within the selected category horizontally. This pattern is often used for navigating video libraries.

Patterns for a 3-deep content structure

When all application content are grouped into categories, which are themselves be grouped into top-level categories, the content structure is 3-deep.

Content structures this deep should generally be avoided.
There are instances, however, where it may be difficult to avoid.
Examples include a full music or video library or system settings.

Combination patterns

As before, navigation patterns could be combined to create a 3-deep navigation pattern. However, to maintain consistency across applications, we recommend always starting with a List-Detail pattern with a Collapsible List. A few examples are shown above.

Patterns for n-deep content structures

When content is infinitely groupable, the content is n-deep.

Content structures this deep should be avoided. It is very difficult for the user to maintain awareness of their location in content structure relative to other content.
There are instances, however, where this structure cannot be avoided.
Examples include file systems and archives.

Breadcrumb patterns

These patterns provide awareness of the path within the content structure.
Interaction is usually required to determine location relative to adjacent content on the previous level.
The pattern may also be applied to 2-deep and 3-deep content structures.