Tab navigation issue...
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- hovercraft
'ello...
Have built a portal for a client using tabbed navigation. At the moment each page has content areas that the user is familiar with. These sections are going to be migrated to "sub-tabbed" areas.
The client wants to have an "arrow" on the parent tab to denote sub tabbed content...I think this is dumb as you'll see the new tabs when you click on a parent...plus the parent tab will look stupid with an extra icon as well as the one already there.
...any opinions?
- Dancer0
So you want us to give you an opinion on a tab with an arrow on it?
Example
- hovercraft0
...no,
All I am asking is if a user is used to going to a page that has several items on it, do you really need to let them know that it's been re-arranged with an arrow...or do you just let them find out.
I think that people will realise the change....trying to fudge a graphic is a waste of time.
Just wondered if anyone was of the same opinion that's all...
- rafalski0
I think we should either see the tabs or get a more poetic description of what the thing looks like in order to give you an opinion. That, or my visualisation skills suck this morning.
- trooperbill0
repeat this mantra "the client is always wrong... the client is always wrong" im working on something which the clients been chipping away at for a few weeks now its poo but they wont be told.
- poomoo0
explain to the client;
a global navigation bar (and tabs) are well established conventions that users are familiar with.
tabbed navigation is an effective way of reflecting the site structure and how a user can move between and within sections.
a signpost and breadcrumb or other navigation device can be supplemented to the UI to reinforce where the user is in the 'tree' - although it is not always necessary.
finally and to the crux of the problem, illustrate to the client how you are going to use colour to reflect the tab sub menu. explain how this is also a design convention and how it is more effective than introducing an icon to the menu.
point him to the yahoo portals for a live example of how these conventions are used.
hope that helps.
- hovercraft0
...thanks guys, kinda follows what i was thinking.
rafalski...it's my lazyness and lack of descriptor skills...thanks
...repeats mantras
- kelpie0
bravo poomoo, that ought to do it...