Types of navigation
Before diving into specific navigation patterns, it's important to understand the different types of navigation groups commonly used in interface design. These groups help organize navigation elements based on their purpose and relevance to the user's tasks.
Navigation Groups
Product or Entity Navigation
The primary navigation system that allows users to access the main features and content areas of the product.
Used for:
Mainline features
Product entry points
Example in Cluster: The main navigation bar containing links to "Dashboard," "Projects," "Content Library," and "Analytics."
Contextual Navigation
Navigation elements that change based on the user's current context, task, or location within the product.
Used for:
Shortcuts
Recently visited pages
Related or sub pages
Custom bookmarks or saved items
Example in Cluster: A sidebar within a project view showing recently edited content, related clusters, and user-created bookmarks.
System Navigation
Navigation for accessing user-specific or application-wide settings and administrative functions.
Used for:
Account
Billing
User permissions
Settings
Example in Cluster: A dropdown menu accessible from the user's profile icon, containing links to "Account Settings," "Billing," "Team Management," and "App Settings."
Example
In Cluster - a dropdown menu accessible from the user's profile icon, containing links to "Account Settings," "Billing," "Team Management," and "App Settings."
Understanding these navigation groups helps designers create intuitive and organized navigation systems that cater to different user needs and tasks.
As we explore specific navigation patterns in the following sections, we'll consider how they can be applied to these different navigation groups within the context of Cluster and similar applications.
Now, let's move on to our first specific navigation pattern: Priority and progressive disclosure.