Universal navigation bar checklist

A persistent navigational feature that applies to all pages on the core site (e.g. landing, departmental and other University pages that live on the www server).

Specs

• width should be set to 960px
• all sites use same navigation bar (there are not variations)

High Priority

• logo on left
• search box on right
• links to main landing pages

Moderate Priority

• links to “tools”
  • portfolio/login
  • calendar
  • directories
• there may be “call to action” links
  • apply
  • give
• links that maybe belong in footer
  • directions
  • map
  • contact us

Low Priority

• if we do not have the “community” link we should consider audience
  • for current students
  • faculty
  • staff
  • alumni

Examples

• Simmons
  • logo on left
  • search on right
  • tools at lower level
  • main links bolder
  • use of color for call to action
  • simple/traditional with good design elements
• Virginia
  • logo on left
  • main links on bottom - bolder presence
  • secondary links on top - subtler presence
  • main links have dropdowns
  • tool bar is not consistent through out site
• Bob Jones University
  • put landing page links into a little grid in toolbar
  • nav bar is airier than most
• UCal at Irvine
  • only special thing in toolbar is change theme (just a fun idea)
• Griffith
  • no major links in toolbar - relies on breadcrumbs to help set navigation
  • has A+ A- for font size
  • has preferences so user can set own viewing options (accessibility)
  • skip to content
• Oberlin
  • main navigation pops up on homepage
  • main nave stays open on landing pages - works like a folder tab style
  • uses small type to include audiences and call to action

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