Breadcrumb Trail

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Definition of "Breadcrumb Trail" by Graphic Design Newcastle:

A "Breadcrumb Trail" is a navigational aid used in user interfaces, particularly on websites and applications, that shows users their current location within a hierarchical structure. It typically appears as a horizontal list of links, separated by symbols (like > or /), representing the path from the homepage or starting point to the current page.

Example:

Home > Products > Electronics > Smartphones

Purpose:

  • Helps users understand their location within the site or app.
  • Allows easy navigation back to previous sections.
  • Enhances user experience by reducing confusion in complex structures.

Origin:

The term comes from the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, where the characters leave a trail of breadcrumbs to find their way back home.

Common in:

  • E-commerce websites
  • Content-heavy websites
  • File management systems
  • Mobile and desktop applications

Design Considerations:

  • Keep it concise and readable.
  • Use clear separators.
  • Ensure each breadcrumb is clickable (except the current page).
  • Maintain consistent styling with the overall UI.

In graphic and UI/UX design, breadcrumb trails are a key component of information architecture and usability.

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