Hamburger Menu Guide

History and Evolution

The hamburger menu, with its three horizontal lines, has an interesting history. It originated in 1981 when Norm Cox designed it for the Xerox Star workstation as a simple symbol to open a contextual menu. For years, it remained relatively unknown until 2009, when smartphone designers rediscovered its usefulness.

As mobile technology advanced, the hamburger menu gained popularity. Apps like Tweetie and iOS Voice Memos adopted it to solve design challenges on small screens. By 2010, major platforms like Facebook had embraced it, cementing its place in app navigation.

Now ubiquitous in web and app interfaces, the hamburger menu serves as a space-saving tool, allowing users to access additional options without cluttering the main screen. Its evolution showcases how design can balance simplicity and functionality, particularly in addressing navigation challenges on smaller screens.

Early Adopters of the Hamburger Menu:

• Voice Memos (iOS)
• Tweetie for iPad
• Facebook
• Reeder
• Path

Pros and Cons in UX Design

The hamburger menu offers both advantages and challenges in UX design. Its main strength lies in decluttering interfaces, especially on mobile devices, by hiding less important navigation options. This preserves screen space and allows main content to stand out, benefiting users with limited screen real estate.

However, the menu has drawbacks. Discoverability is a primary concern, as new users might miss crucial options hidden behind the icon. When opened, the menu can sometimes overwhelm users with too many choices, potentially leading to decision fatigue.

Designers can address these challenges by adding helpful labels or subtle animations to the hamburger menu, making it more visually distinct. When open, organizing items logically helps users navigate without feeling overwhelmed.

For applications needing frequent section switching, alternatives like tab bars or bottom navigation can improve user clarity. Some designers opt for hybrid solutions, combining the hamburger menu with other navigation patterns to balance simplicity and accessibility.

The goal is to create a user experience that's intuitive and streamlined while ensuring important features remain accessible. As our digital landscape expands, finding this balance becomes increasingly important in mobile and web interface design.

Pros of Hamburger Menu:

• Simplifies the interface
• Enhances user experience on mobile devices
• Accommodates numerous links and categories
• Facilitates secondary access

Cons of Hamburger Menu:

• Reduces discoverability
• Slows down navigation
• Can overwhelm users
• Might not suit all user groups

The hamburger menu reminds us that effective design goes beyond aesthetics; it's about creating intuitive, user-friendly experiences. As we continue to innovate, this icon remains a useful tool in our digital interfaces, helping us navigate the balance between simplicity and functionality.

"Its graphic design was meant to be very 'road sign' simple, functionally memorable, and mimic the look of the resulting displayed menu list."

– Norm Cox, creator of the hamburger icon

Writio: Your AI content writer for blogs and websites. This article was written by Writio.

1. Cox N. The origin of the hamburger icon. Interview by Geoff Alday. 2012.
2. Nielsen Norman Group. Hamburger menus and hidden navigation hurt UX metrics. 2016.
3. Budiu R. The hamburger menu: pros and cons. Nielsen Norman Group. 2018.