GDT 150 Design for the Internet: Fall 2001
Class Notes 10.25.2001
Navigation // Interface // Architecture
navigation design
(experience design)
- narrative
- linear
- non linear
non-menu navigation
left-hand nav
Keep the following in mind:
- simple, straightforward
- interfaces should be
- audience-specific
- content-specific
- brand-specific
- graphic design != interface design
- provide consistent visual clues // cues
navigation should
- be easily learned
- remain consistent
- icon
- typography
- position
- color
- continually provide feedback
- live links (rollovers -- only on links)
- selected page
- selected section
don't fight user expectations
especially those set up by GUI
icons
non-textual information for nav
icons must be very clear
navigation text
- clear
- short
- descriptive
Interface design // layout
body text
- whitespace
http://www.harrumph.com/ - break up long pages into multiple pages
http://www.fray.com
scrolling
Engage user in top screen, so they do scroll down
no horizontal scrolling
navigation
three-click-rule: three clicks to any info on site
rule of five: five navigation options per level
breadcrumbs: provide successive trail back up through nav levels
placement: can go anywhere, make it consistent
http://www.caffemocha.com/suzuki/
design // navigation must be brand-appropriate
- look // feel
- imagery
- tone of text
- functionality
