Projects/Usability/HIG/Patterns/NavigationPatterns: Difference between revisions

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==Purpose==
{{ Moved To Community | KDE_Visual_Design_Group/HIG/Patterns/NavigationPatterns }}
Navigation Patterns depend on the structure of the application content. Navigation patterns can be combined with [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Layout/CommandPatterns|command patterns]] and content patterns to design the complete layout for your application.
 
==Guidelines==
 
===Patterns for a flat content structure===
[[File:IS-flat.png]]
 
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.
 
 
'''SIngle item'''
 
[[File:NP-flat-1a.png]]
 
* 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, or a web browser.
 
 
'''Multiple items'''
 
[[File:NP-flat-2.png]]
 
* 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 the selected item consider the Master-Detail patterns.
 
 
'''Master-Detail'''
 
[[File:NP-flat-3a.png]]
 
* These patterns are useful when multiple pieces of content are intended to be shown at once, alongside a larger, more complete presentation of the selected item.
* See the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Layout/Wizard|Wizard]] pattern guidelines for more details on using that pattern.
* Examples include a contact list that shows the full details of the selected contact, a slideshow with a "film-strip" to select photographs, or setup for newly installed software
 
===Patterns for a 2-deep content structure===
[[File:IS-2-deep.png]]
 
When all application content are grouped into top-level categories, the content structure is 2-deep.
* Examples include picture albums, music albums, email folders or tags.
 
 
'''Combination patterns'''
 
[[File:NP-2-deep-2.png]]
 
* Any two flat navigation patterns could be combined to create a 2-deep navigation pattern. 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'''
 
[[File:NP-2-deep-1a.png]]
 
* 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===
 
[[File:IS-3-deep.png]]
 
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'''
 
[[File:NP-3-deep.png]]
 
* 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===
[[File:IS-n-deep.png]]
 
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'''
 
[[File:NP-n-deep.png]]
 
* 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.

Latest revision as of 11:26, 4 August 2016

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