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edit approved May 17, 2019 at 23:32
Justin Hammond
edit approved May 17, 2019 at 23:32
Justin Hammond
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From a UXMovement.com article:

Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for youyour application, it's important to understand the different context. Where where the top and left navigation worksmay work best. enter image description here

scanningScanning

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,.
  3. topTop navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading.

Visibility

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find.
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects.

priorityPriority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left).
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure.
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side.
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight.

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

From a UXMovement.com article:

Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for you application, it's important to understand the different context. Where the top and left navigation works. enter image description here

scanning

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,
  3. top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading

Visibility

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects

priority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left)
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

From a UXMovement.com article:

Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for your application, it's important to understand the different context where the top and left navigation may work best. enter image description here

Scanning

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people.
  3. Top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading.

Visibility

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find.
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects.

Priority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left).
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure.
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side.
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight.

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

Added correct source. Formatted to show it is a quote.
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JonW ♦
JonW ♦
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Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.From a UXMovement.com article:

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for you application, it's important to understand the different context. Where the top and left navigation works. enter image description here

Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

scanning

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for you application, it's important to understand the different context. Where the top and left navigation works. enter image description here

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,
  3. top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading

scanning

Visibility

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,
  3. top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading
  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects

Visibility

priority

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects
  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left)
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight

priority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left)
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for you application, it's important to understand the different context. Where the top and left navigation works. enter image description here

scanning

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,
  3. top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading

Visibility

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects

priority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left)
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

From a UXMovement.com article:

Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for you application, it's important to understand the different context. Where the top and left navigation works. enter image description here

scanning

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,
  3. top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading

Visibility

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects

priority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left)
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.

Post Made Community Wiki by JonW♦
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Grafix Guru
Grafix Guru
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Top or left menu, there is no absolute answer. When it comes to designing for users, context is king.

A navigation that works well in one context may not fit well for another context. To conclude which navigation is best for you application, it's important to understand the different context. Where the top and left navigation works. enter image description here

scanning

  1. A left navigation is faster and more efficient for users to scan.
  2. The left navigation also facilitates a vertical scanning direction that is natural for people,
  3. top navigation forces a horizontal scanning direction that people often use when they’re reading

Visibility

  1. Top navigation items are more visible because they are always above the fold and are easier to find
  2. Left navigation items are not always above the fold because sometimes if you have too many items, some of them can get pushed below the fold.
  3. Top navigations are also easier to find because they are usually accompanied by the header and logo, both of which are visually dominant objects

priority

  1. The left most item carry more visual weight than the other items because of its placement in the primary optical area (top left)
  2. Items in the top left get more exposure
  3. Left nav takes more priority because there is no balance navigation at the right side
  4. Items in a top navigation do not have equal weight

When it comes to design, there are few absolutes where one approach will be 100% effective all the time for all cases. Finding the approach that is best for you and your users, calls for an understanding of the context involved.