Designing Navigation Patterns in Figma
Key Concepts
- Hierarchical Navigation
- Flat Navigation
- Faceted Navigation
- Contextual Navigation
1. Hierarchical Navigation
Hierarchical Navigation organizes content into a tree-like structure, where each level of the hierarchy represents a different category or sub-category. This pattern is ideal for apps with a deep content structure. In Figma, you can create hierarchical navigation by using frames to represent different levels of the hierarchy and linking them through buttons or icons.
For example, in a news app, the top level might be categories like "World," "Sports," and "Technology." Clicking on "Sports" would take you to a second level with sub-categories like "Football," "Basketball," and "Tennis."
2. Flat Navigation
Flat Navigation presents all primary navigation options at the same level, making it easy for users to access different sections of the app without going through multiple layers. This pattern is suitable for apps with fewer sections or where users need quick access to various features. In Figma, you can design flat navigation by arranging buttons or icons horizontally or vertically on the screen.
For instance, a social media app might use flat navigation with icons for "Home," "Notifications," "Messages," and "Profile" placed at the bottom of the screen.
3. Faceted Navigation
Faceted Navigation allows users to filter content based on multiple criteria simultaneously. This pattern is useful for apps with complex content that can be categorized in various ways. In Figma, you can create faceted navigation by designing filters or dropdown menus that users can interact with to refine their search results.
For example, an e-commerce app might offer faceted navigation where users can filter products by category, price range, brand, and customer rating.
4. Contextual Navigation
Contextual Navigation changes based on the user's current context or location within the app. This pattern provides relevant navigation options dynamically, enhancing the user experience. In Figma, you can design contextual navigation by using conditional logic to show or hide navigation elements based on the user's actions or location.
For instance, in a music streaming app, the navigation options might change from "Home," "Search," and "Library" to "Play," "Pause," and "Skip" when a user is listening to a song.
Examples and Analogies
Hierarchical Navigation: Think of a library with sections, sub-sections, and books. Each level of the hierarchy helps you narrow down your search, much like how hierarchical navigation guides users through different levels of content.
Flat Navigation: Imagine a restaurant menu with all dishes listed on one page. You can quickly see and choose what you want without flipping through multiple pages, similar to how flat navigation provides quick access to different app sections.
Faceted Navigation: Consider a clothing store where you can filter items by size, color, and style. Each filter narrows down the options, making it easier to find what you need, just like faceted navigation helps users refine their search.
Contextual Navigation: Picture a GPS navigation system that adjusts its directions based on your current location and destination. The navigation options change dynamically to provide relevant information, akin to how contextual navigation adapts to the user's context within the app.