Navigation in Design

1. jeff-hahn.com

This photography portfolio website is designed to allow for simple navigation for the viewer. Jeff Hahn’s portfolio is all about the digital quality and color content of his work. The photographs are meant to be large, and overall, the focal point of the website. As the viewer scrolls down, he is viewing large images and very little text or detail that would distract from the images. It is simple to navigate in that the entire website is a fit and measured array of photos that are organized chronologically. The viewer is able to know what Hahn’s most recent works are based upon their order on the site. The potential navigation issues that the site’s designer considered was the placement and size of photos to help organize and guide the viewer. For example, larger thumbnails communicate that a series of photographs lies behind the photo on the feed and can be clicked to expose the entire series while smaller photos imply solidarity.

2. De Young Museum, San Francisco, CA

The De Young Museum is designed primarily by Herzdog and Meuron and landscape architect, Walter Hood. They combined their design plans to usefully direct guests through all levels, galleries and outdoor displays that the lovely museum grounds have to offer. When the guests enter, they walk through a hallway that widens out with courts on either side. The Fern Court houses exhibits that eventually lead to other wings and eventually, the photography and contemporary art exhibit. The opposite side has an Entry Court that is located directly next to the Museum Store, Cafe, and bathrooms. The designers had to consider the loop that guests would make as they observed all of the artwork and finally made it around to grab lunch or souvenirs toward the end. The design of the De Young Museum successfully overcomes the possible confusion that would exist if the museum had been constructed with eating areas and a lobby in the midst of exhibit space; it is designed to specifically navigate museum guests through related exhibits in a loop pattern before they go on to food and restroom areas.