How to balance visual appeal with functional navigation

How to balance visual appeal with functional navigation

How to balance visual appeal with functional navigation

The Home page settings in Cadence allow you to create an engaging landing page while ensuring users can easily navigate your content. By carefully configuring layout, visual elements, and navigation aids through the Home Menu's Settings tab, you can strike the right balance between aesthetic appeal and practical usability that works for all attendees.

When to use

  • When designing your event's Home page layout
  • When you have many content tiles that require intuitive navigation
  • When balancing brand aesthetics with user experience needs
  • When optimizing for both visual impact and accessibility

Before you start

You need Event Manager or Administrator permissions to modify Home page settings.

How to do it

    Log in to your Cadence Admin account.
    Navigate to your event dashboard.
    Click on "Home" in the left sidebar menu.
    Select the "Settings" tab at the top of the page.
    Choose a column layout that balances visual appeal with navigation:
  • Single Column: Best for fewer tiles and focused content
  • Two Columns: Good for organizing related content side by side
  • Single Row: Ideal for showcasing 4-6 important tiles horizontally
  • Two Rows: Effective for displaying multiple tiles without excessive scrolling
Two Columns often provides the best balance between visual appeal and navigation for most events.
    Select an alignment option that enhances your layout:
  • Left Aligned: Creates a traditional reading pattern
  • Centered: Provides a balanced, formal appearance
  • Right Aligned: Creates visual interest but may be less intuitive
    Consider keeping the tile overlay for better text readability.
Removing the overlay by checking "Remove Home Tile Overlay" may create readability issues if your tile images have varying colors or busy patterns.
    Enable the scroll bar by checking "Display Scroll bar on Home Tiles (Web Only)".
The scroll bar improves navigation for users who rely on traditional scrolling methods rather than touch gestures.
    Adjust background opacity for optimal balance:
  • Check "Gradient Slider Adjust Home Screen Opacity"
  • Set the opacity percentage between 15-30% for a good balance
Higher opacity (30-40%) improves text readability while lower opacity (10-15%) showcases more of your background image.
    Preview your changes by clicking the "Preview" button in the upper right corner.
    Test navigation by scrolling through content and clicking on tiles.
    Make adjustments based on your testing experience.
    Click "Save" to apply your changes.

Troubleshooting

If users report difficulty finding or accessing content, consider increasing the opacity percentage, enabling the scroll bar, and choosing a more structured layout like Two Columns with Centered alignment.

Related links

  • How to optimize Home tile content for different layouts
  • How to ensure accessibility when configuring Home page settings
  • How to display or hide the scroll bar on Home tiles