Dropdowns and Menus in Figma for Mobile App Design

Key Concepts

• Dropdowns
• Menus
• Navigation Menus
• Context Menus
• Dropdown Styles
• Menu Placement
• Interaction Design
• Accessibility Considerations

1. Dropdowns

Dropdowns are UI elements that display a list of options when activated. They are commonly used for selecting a single option from a list, such as choosing a country from a list of countries. In Figma, you can create dropdowns using components and interactions to simulate the dropdown behavior.

Example: A settings screen in a mobile app might use a dropdown to allow users to select their preferred language from a list of options.

2. Menus

Menus are collections of options or commands that users can select to perform actions. They can be static, always visible, or dynamic, appearing only when needed. Menus are essential for organizing and presenting options in a clear and accessible manner.

Example: A hamburger menu in a mobile app provides access to various sections of the app, such as Home, Profile, and Settings.

3. Navigation Menus

Navigation menus are menus specifically designed to help users navigate through different sections of an app. They are typically placed at the bottom or top of the screen and include icons or text links to different pages or features.

Example: A bottom navigation menu in a social media app might include icons for Home, Search, Notifications, and Profile.

4. Context Menus

Context menus are menus that appear in response to a specific user action, such as a right-click or long-press. They provide options related to the context in which they are invoked, such as editing or deleting an item.

Example: In a note-taking app, a context menu might appear when a user long-presses on a note, offering options like Edit, Delete, and Share.

5. Dropdown Styles

Dropdown styles refer to the visual design and behavior of dropdowns. This includes the appearance of the dropdown button, the list of options, and the interaction when the dropdown is activated. Consistent styling ensures a cohesive user experience.

Example: A dropdown for selecting a date might have a calendar icon on the button and display a list of dates when clicked, with each date styled with a consistent font and color.

6. Menu Placement

Menu placement involves deciding where menus should be positioned on the screen to maximize usability. Common placements include the top, bottom, or side of the screen, depending on the app's layout and user needs.

Example: A mobile app with a primary navigation menu might place it at the bottom of the screen for easy access with the thumb, while a secondary menu might be placed at the top for less frequent use.

7. Interaction Design

Interaction design focuses on how users interact with dropdowns and menus. This includes defining the triggers for menu appearance, the animation and transition effects, and the feedback provided to users during interactions.

Example: A dropdown menu might slide down smoothly when clicked, with a subtle shadow effect to indicate it is active, and close with a fade-out animation when an option is selected.

8. Accessibility Considerations

Accessibility considerations ensure that dropdowns and menus are usable by all users, including those with disabilities. This includes providing sufficient contrast, using clear labels, and ensuring that menus can be navigated using keyboard commands.

Example: A dropdown menu should have high contrast between the text and background, use descriptive labels for options, and be navigable using the Tab key for keyboard users.

Examples and Analogies

Dropdowns: Think of dropdowns as a list of choices in a treasure chest. When you open the chest (click the dropdown), you see a list of valuable options (choices) to select from.

Menus: Imagine menus as a restaurant menu. It lists various options (actions or sections) that users can choose from to satisfy their needs (navigate or perform actions).

Navigation Menus: Consider navigation menus as a map in an adventure game. It shows the different paths (sections) users can take to explore the app.

Context Menus: Picture context menus as a pop-up book. When you interact with a specific part of the book (element), it reveals hidden options (actions) related to that part.

Dropdown Styles: Think of dropdown styles as the design of a theater stage. The stage (dropdown) and its props (options) are designed to create a visually appealing and functional experience for the audience (users).

Menu Placement: Imagine menu placement as arranging furniture in a room. You place the furniture (menus) in locations that are most convenient and accessible for the people (users) using the room.

Interaction Design: Consider interaction design as choreographing a dance. Each movement (interaction) is carefully planned to create a smooth and enjoyable performance (user experience).

Accessibility Considerations: Think of accessibility considerations as designing a building with ramps and elevators. Just as these features make a building inclusive, accessible menus ensure all users can interact with the app.