Utility Navigation

In Aggie UX, “utility nav” refers to the topmost navbar available in our various site identity and navigation options.

Utility Nav Options

In order to increase flexibility for the many types of websites within the Texas A&M University web ecosystem, we have built in multiple possible functionalities into the utility nav.

While most of these options aren’t mutually exclusive, we don’t recommend using all of them on every site. Choose the options that provide the most utility for a particular site when combined with the appropriate site identity and navigation solution.

Back to Texas A&M

The utility nav is a thin maroon bar at the very top of the page. On all Texas A&M University websites*, the top left corner should have a link back to www.tamu.edu on the text “Texas A&M University.”

*Except on www.tamu.edu itself, where this link is replaced with the Home of the 12th Man logo.

CTA Links

A utility nav can optionally have 1-3 CTA links out in the open. These links should be of high priority as they will visible on every page of the websites.

Keep each CTA link’s linked text as short as possible; preferably three words or less.

On mobile, the CTA links will be visible behind the “menu” button.

Quicklinks Drop Down

The “quicklinks” drop down can be used to provide a short list of contextualized links that are not otherwise in the site navigation. It is our intention that these quicklinks are often links to utilities — such as directories, calendars, maps, and application logins — that do not natively live on the site you are on.

On mobile, the “quicklinks” nav option will be visible behind the “menu” button.

Search (Inline)

A site-wide search is available to be within the utility nav when using the site header with text identity.

On mobile, the site search is accessible behind the “search” button.

For You Drop Down

The “for you” drop down is primarily designed for use on the flagship website (www.tamu.edu), but can be used on any website that has persona pages (also known as audience pages). Each link should go to a persona page that is in its own top level directory (e.g., “Future Students” would link to the index page in the top-level folder future-students).

We recommend the following phrases for potential persona pages:

• Future Students
• Former Students
• Current Students
• Faculty
• Staff
• Faculty & Staff
• Donors
• Parents & Families
• Media

On mobile, the “for you” nav option will be visible behind the “menu” button.