Navigation
Navigation in TU Dresden’s WebCMS
Navigation in our WebCMS is context-sensitive. This means that folders and content pages that you set up are automatically converted into navigation items. The hierarchy of the folders in the editing system thus also corresponds to the navigation hierarchy (levels). When you set up new folders or content pages, all content is automatically set to private. When you publish the content, it becomes visible in the navigation bar. However, all navigation items are always visible for web editors logged in to the editing system. You will notice the pages’ status based on the colored flags next to the navigation bar items. Private pages are marked with a red flag and pages submitted for publication are marked with a yellow flag. Only items which do not have any flag next to them are visible to website visitors.
This context-sensitive navigation scheme is supplemented by a second navigation principle—navigation via website. To this end, the elements on the start and overview pages benefit users. Important content in sub-pages of the website can be made accessible and prioritized via teaser boxes, the main text box or the link and notice boxes. This is particularly useful for navigation and user-friendly access on mobile devices.
The central web pages
The navigation bar here is part of the header section. The header section of central web pages conveys the identifying mark of TU Dresden, e.g. via the logo, and consists of five main topics (main menu items of level 1): TU DRESDEN, STUDIES, RESEARCH & TRANSFER, CAREER and COOPERATION.
Header section with navigation bar belonging to web pages at tu-dresden.de
Decentralized organizational unit web pages
The organizational units at TUD use a slightly different header section. The identifying marks are adapted in order to convey their identity. The TUD logo is reduced and moved up to the page header and the name of the unit is displayed at a larger scale. The five main menu items of the organizational unit’s website appear in line with the optimal structure of the organization class to which the unit belongs.
Header section of an organizational unit with name as identifying mark (content displayed is only an example)
Instead of its title, you may also place a unit’s logo in the header. The use of a “secondary logo” must be approved by Directorate 7 – Communication and Marketing. You can find further information on the TU Dresden Corporate Design web pages on logos for organizational units of TUD.
Header section of an organizational unit with logo as identifying mark (content displayed is only an example)
In general, there can only be five menu items in level 1 of TU Dresden’s web pages. This number is no longer limited starting at level 2. For a greater ease of use and better user orientation, we recommend keeping the navigation structure as compact as possible (maximum of 7 to 9 sub-menu items starting from level 2). Also be sure to avoid a three-line navigation structure starting from level 2 and use “short titles” for labeling the menu items. These can be activated in the WebCMS editing system in order to avoid long titles and keep menu structures organized.