Hamburger menus in mobile web design
How can you implement a menu on your mobile-responsive website?
The introduction and acceptance of the Hamburger Menu.
Mobile Internet access is on the rise. Website owners need to ensure that their websites are not just designed for the small screen but also still include the functionality that users have come to expect, which is an easy-to-use menu and navigation.
Over the last few years, the hamburger menu has emerged as the most popular way to include a menu on a website designed for a smartphone. The hamburger menu comprises three stacked horizontal lines that resemble a hamburger.
This icon is older than you think. It was first used in 1981 as part of the Xerox Star computer workstation, which had a menu bar at the top of the screen. As the menu list grew longer, it became unwieldy and difficult to use. To solve this problem, the designers introduced the concept of a collapsible menu that could be hidden or revealed with a single click. The hamburger menu icon was born.
It was not until around 2009 that the hamburger menu first appeared on a smartphone. With the small amount of screen real estate available, designers had to look for a way to make all of the content fit on the screen while providing a clean and uncluttered interface.
The Anatomy of the Hamburger Menu
The hamburger menu brings simplicity to its design; the three-line horizontal icon is usually located in the top-left or top-right corner of a mobile website. Tapping or clicking on the icon reveals a hidden menu, displaying navigation options that include links to various sections, settings, or additional features of the website.
What are the advantages of the Hamburger Menu?
Space Efficiency: The main advantage of the hamburger menu is its ability to save on-screen space, leaving more space for the main content.
Clean and Minimalist Design: The minimalist design of the hamburger menu contributes to a cleaner aesthetic, reducing visual clutter and enhancing the overall user interface. This simplicity aligns with modern design principles, promoting a more enjoyable user experience.
Mental Model: The hamburger menu is an excellent example of a mental model (see my blog post on mental models). The Hamburger Menu has become the standard method of menu on mobile websites. So much so that users expect to find it when viewing a website on a smartphone. It’s a recognisable navigation icon that users expect in a familiar location, which promotes ease of use. You will see it more and more going forward.
The hamburger menu remains a significant element in mobile web design, offering a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
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