🧭 Project: Navigation

Building Responsive Navigation Menus

Navigation Project

Create modern, accessible, and responsive navigation systems. From simple headers to complex mega menus.

💻 Basic Navigation Bar

<nav class="nav">
    <div class="nav__container">
        <a href="/" class="nav__logo">
            <span class="nav__logo-text">Brand</span>
        </a>
        
        <ul class="nav__menu">
            <li class="nav__item">
                <a href="#home" class="nav__link nav__link--active">Home</a>
            </li>
            <li class="nav__item">
                <a href="#about" class="nav__link">About</a>
            </li>
            <li class="nav__item">
                <a href="#services" class="nav__link">Services</a>
            </li>
            <li class="nav__item">
                <a href="#contact" class="nav__link">Contact</a>
            </li>
        </ul>
        
        <button class="nav__toggle" aria-label="Toggle menu">
            <span></span>
            <span></span>
            <span></span>
        </button>
    </div>
</nav>

/* CSS */
.nav {
    background: white;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    position: sticky;
    top: 0;
    z-index: 1000;
}

.nav__container {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 0 1rem;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    height: 70px;
}

.nav__logo-text {
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: #667eea;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.nav__menu {
    display: flex;
    list-style: none;
    gap: 2rem;
    margin: 0;
    padding: 0;
}

.nav__link {
    color: #333;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-weight: 500;
    padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
    border-radius: 8px;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
    position: relative;
}

.nav__link::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 50%;
    width: 0;
    height: 2px;
    background: #667eea;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    transition: width 0.3s ease;
}

.nav__link:hover::after,
.nav__link--active::after {
    width: 80%;
}

.nav__link:hover,
.nav__link--active {
    color: #667eea;
}

.nav__toggle {
    display: none;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 5px;
    background: none;
    border: none;
    cursor: pointer;
    padding: 0.5rem;
}

.nav__toggle span {
    width: 25px;
    height: 3px;
    background: #333;
    border-radius: 3px;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

/* Mobile responsive */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .nav__menu {
        position: absolute;
        top: 70px;
        left: 0;
        right: 0;
        flex-direction: column;
        background: white;
        padding: 1rem;
        gap: 0;
        box-shadow: 0 5px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
        transform: translateY(-100%);
        opacity: 0;
        pointer-events: none;
        transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }
    
    .nav__menu.active {
        transform: translateY(0);
        opacity: 1;
        pointer-events: all;
    }
    
    .nav__item {
        border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
    }
    
    .nav__item:last-child {
        border-bottom: none;
    }
    
    .nav__link {
        display: block;
        padding: 1rem;
    }
    
    .nav__toggle {
        display: flex;
    }
    
    .nav__toggle.active span:nth-child(1) {
        transform: rotate(45deg) translateY(8px);
    }
    
    .nav__toggle.active span:nth-child(2) {
        opacity: 0;
    }
    
    .nav__toggle.active span:nth-child(3) {
        transform: rotate(-45deg) translateY(-8px);
    }
}

/* JavaScript */
const toggle = document.querySelector('.nav__toggle');
const menu = document.querySelector('.nav__menu');

toggle.addEventListener('click', () => {
    toggle.classList.toggle('active');
    menu.classList.toggle('active');
});

🎨 Navigation with Dropdown

<ul class="nav__menu">
    <li class="nav__item">
        <a href="#home" class="nav__link">Home</a>
    </li>
    <li class="nav__item nav__item--dropdown">
        <a href="#services" class="nav__link">
            Services
            <svg class="nav__arrow" width="12" height="8">
                <path d="M1 1l5 5 5-5" stroke="currentColor" fill="none"/>
            </svg>
        </a>
        <ul class="nav__dropdown">
            <li><a href="#web" class="nav__dropdown-link">Web Design</a></li>
            <li><a href="#dev" class="nav__dropdown-link">Development</a></li>
            <li><a href="#seo" class="nav__dropdown-link">SEO Services</a></li>
            <li><a href="#marketing" class="nav__dropdown-link">Marketing</a></li>
        </ul>
    </li>
    <li class="nav__item">
        <a href="#about" class="nav__link">About</a>
    </li>
</ul>

.nav__item--dropdown {
    position: relative;
}

.nav__arrow {
    margin-left: 0.5rem;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.nav__dropdown {
    position: absolute;
    top: 100%;
    left: 0;
    min-width: 200px;
    background: white;
    box-shadow: 0 5px 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    border-radius: 8px;
    list-style: none;
    padding: 0.5rem 0;
    margin: 0.5rem 0 0;
    opacity: 0;
    visibility: hidden;
    transform: translateY(-10px);
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.nav__item--dropdown:hover .nav__dropdown {
    opacity: 1;
    visibility: visible;
    transform: translateY(0);
}

.nav__item--dropdown:hover .nav__arrow {
    transform: rotate(180deg);
}

.nav__dropdown-link {
    display: block;
    padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
    color: #333;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: all 0.2s ease;
}

.nav__dropdown-link:hover {
    background: #f5f5f5;
    color: #667eea;
    padding-left: 2rem;
}

/* Mobile dropdown */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .nav__dropdown {
        position: static;
        box-shadow: none;
        background: #f9f9f9;
        margin: 0;
        max-height: 0;
        overflow: hidden;
        transform: none;
    }
    
    .nav__item--dropdown.active .nav__dropdown {
        max-height: 300px;
        opacity: 1;
        visibility: visible;
    }
}

🌟 Transparent Navigation

.nav--transparent {
    background: transparent;
    box-shadow: none;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.nav--transparent .nav__link {
    color: white;
}

.nav--transparent .nav__logo-text {
    color: white;
}

/* When scrolled */
.nav--transparent.scrolled {
    background: white;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

.nav--transparent.scrolled .nav__link,
.nav--transparent.scrolled .nav__logo-text {
    color: #333;
}

.nav--transparent.scrolled .nav__link--active {
    color: #667eea;
}

/* JavaScript */
const nav = document.querySelector('.nav--transparent');

window.addEventListener('scroll', () => {
    if (window.scrollY > 50) {
        nav.classList.add('scrolled');
    } else {
        nav.classList.remove('scrolled');
    }
});

📱 Sidebar Navigation

<aside class="sidebar">
    <div class="sidebar__header">
        <h2 class="sidebar__title">Dashboard</h2>
        <button class="sidebar__close">×</button>
    </div>
    
    <nav class="sidebar__nav">
        <a href="#dashboard" class="sidebar__link sidebar__link--active">
            <svg class="sidebar__icon"><!-- icon --></svg>
            <span>Dashboard</span>
        </a>
        <a href="#projects" class="sidebar__link">
            <svg class="sidebar__icon"><!-- icon --></svg>
            <span>Projects</span>
        </a>
        <a href="#tasks" class="sidebar__link">
            <svg class="sidebar__icon"><!-- icon --></svg>
            <span>Tasks</span>
        </a>
        <a href="#team" class="sidebar__link">
            <svg class="sidebar__icon"><!-- icon --></svg>
            <span>Team</span>
        </a>
    </nav>
    
    <div class="sidebar__footer">
        <a href="#settings" class="sidebar__link">
            <svg class="sidebar__icon"><!-- icon --></svg>
            <span>Settings</span>
        </a>
    </div>
</aside>

.sidebar {
    position: fixed;
    left: 0;
    top: 0;
    bottom: 0;
    width: 260px;
    background: white;
    box-shadow: 2px 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.sidebar__header {
    padding: 2rem 1.5rem;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
}

.sidebar__title {
    margin: 0;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    color: #667eea;
}

.sidebar__close {
    display: none;
    background: none;
    border: none;
    font-size: 2rem;
    cursor: pointer;
    color: #999;
}

.sidebar__nav {
    flex: 1;
    padding: 1rem 0;
    overflow-y: auto;
}

.sidebar__link {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 1rem;
    padding: 1rem 1.5rem;
    color: #666;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: all 0.2s ease;
    position: relative;
}

.sidebar__link::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    left: 0;
    top: 0;
    bottom: 0;
    width: 4px;
    background: #667eea;
    transform: scaleY(0);
    transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

.sidebar__link:hover,
.sidebar__link--active {
    background: #f5f7ff;
    color: #667eea;
}

.sidebar__link:hover::before,
.sidebar__link--active::before {
    transform: scaleY(1);
}

.sidebar__icon {
    width: 24px;
    height: 24px;
    stroke: currentColor;
    fill: none;
}

.sidebar__footer {
    border-top: 1px solid #eee;
    padding: 1rem 0;
}

/* Mobile */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .sidebar {
        transform: translateX(-100%);
        z-index: 1000;
    }
    
    .sidebar.active {
        transform: translateX(0);
    }
    
    .sidebar__close {
        display: block;
    }
}

/* Overlay for mobile */
.sidebar-overlay {
    position: fixed;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
    opacity: 0;
    visibility: hidden;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.sidebar-overlay.active {
    opacity: 1;
    visibility: visible;
}

🎯 Mega Menu

<li class="nav__item nav__item--mega">
    <a href="#products" class="nav__link">Products</a>
    <div class="mega-menu">
        <div class="mega-menu__container">
            <div class="mega-menu__column">
                <h3 class="mega-menu__title">Categories</h3>
                <ul class="mega-menu__list">
                    <li><a href="#">Electronics</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Fashion</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Home & Garden</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Sports</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="mega-menu__column">
                <h3 class="mega-menu__title">Popular</h3>
                <ul class="mega-menu__list">
                    <li><a href="#">Best Sellers</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">New Arrivals</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Sale Items</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#">Trending</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="mega-menu__column">
                <h3 class="mega-menu__title">Featured</h3>
                <div class="mega-menu__featured">
                    <img src="product.jpg" alt="Featured">
                    <h4>Summer Collection</h4>
                    <p>Up to 50% off</p>
                    <a href="#" class="btn">Shop Now</a>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</li>

.mega-menu {
    position: absolute;
    top: 100%;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    background: white;
    box-shadow: 0 5px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    opacity: 0;
    visibility: hidden;
    transform: translateY(-10px);
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.nav__item--mega:hover .mega-menu {
    opacity: 1;
    visibility: visible;
    transform: translateY(0);
}

.mega-menu__container {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 2rem;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 2rem;
}

.mega-menu__title {
    font-size: 1.125rem;
    margin: 0 0 1rem;
    color: #667eea;
}

.mega-menu__list {
    list-style: none;
    padding: 0;
    margin: 0;
}

.mega-menu__list a {
    display: block;
    padding: 0.5rem 0;
    color: #666;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: all 0.2s ease;
}

.mega-menu__list a:hover {
    color: #667eea;
    padding-left: 1rem;
}

.mega-menu__featured {
    background: #f9f9f9;
    padding: 1rem;
    border-radius: 8px;
    text-align: center;
}

.mega-menu__featured img {
    width: 100%;
    border-radius: 8px;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.mega-menu__featured h4 {
    margin: 0 0 0.5rem;
}

.mega-menu__featured p {
    color: #666;
    margin: 0 0 1rem;
}

✨ Animated Tab Navigation

<nav class="tabs">
    <button class="tab active" data-tab="home">Home</button>
    <button class="tab" data-tab="about">About</button>
    <button class="tab" data-tab="services">Services</button>
    <button class="tab" data-tab="contact">Contact</button>
    <span class="tab-indicator"></span>
</nav>

.tabs {
    display: flex;
    gap: 1rem;
    background: white;
    padding: 0.5rem;
    border-radius: 50px;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    position: relative;
}

.tab {
    padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
    background: none;
    border: none;
    color: #666;
    font-weight: 500;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: color 0.3s ease;
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
}

.tab:hover,
.tab.active {
    color: white;
}

.tab-indicator {
    position: absolute;
    height: calc(100% - 1rem);
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    border-radius: 50px;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
    top: 0.5rem;
}

/* JavaScript to move indicator */
const tabs = document.querySelectorAll('.tab');
const indicator = document.querySelector('.tab-indicator');

function moveIndicator(tab) {
    indicator.style.left = tab.offsetLeft + 'px';
    indicator.style.width = tab.offsetWidth + 'px';
}

tabs.forEach(tab => {
    tab.addEventListener('click', () => {
        tabs.forEach(t => t.classList.remove('active'));
        tab.classList.add('active');
        moveIndicator(tab);
    });
});

// Initialize
moveIndicator(document.querySelector('.tab.active'));

🎯 Complete Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Modern Navigation</title>
    <style>
        * {
            margin: 0;
            padding: 0;
            box-sizing: border-box;
        }
        
        body {
            font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', sans-serif;
        }
        
        /* Navigation */
        .nav {
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95);
            backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
            box-shadow: 0 2px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
            position: sticky;
            top: 0;
            z-index: 1000;
        }
        
        .nav__container {
            max-width: 1400px;
            margin: 0 auto;
            padding: 0 2rem;
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: space-between;
            height: 80px;
        }
        
        .nav__logo {
            font-size: 1.75rem;
            font-weight: 700;
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            -webkit-background-clip: text;
            -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
            background-clip: text;
        }
        
        .nav__menu {
            display: flex;
            list-style: none;
            gap: 0.5rem;
        }
        
        .nav__link {
            color: #333;
            text-decoration: none;
            padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
            border-radius: 10px;
            font-weight: 500;
            transition: all 0.3s ease;
            position: relative;
        }
        
        .nav__link:hover {
            background: rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.1);
            color: #667eea;
        }
        
        .nav__link--active {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            color: white;
        }
        
        .nav__actions {
            display: flex;
            gap: 1rem;
            align-items: center;
        }
        
        .btn {
            padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
            border: none;
            border-radius: 10px;
            font-weight: 600;
            cursor: pointer;
            transition: all 0.3s ease;
        }
        
        .btn--outline {
            background: transparent;
            border: 2px solid #667eea;
            color: #667eea;
        }
        
        .btn--outline:hover {
            background: #667eea;
            color: white;
        }
        
        .btn--primary {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            color: white;
        }
        
        .btn--primary:hover {
            transform: translateY(-2px);
            box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.4);
        }
        
        .nav__toggle {
            display: none;
        }
        
        /* Hero section for demo */
        .hero {
            height: 100vh;
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            color: white;
            text-align: center;
        }
        
        .hero h1 {
            font-size: 4rem;
            margin-bottom: 1rem;
        }
        
        @media (max-width: 768px) {
            .nav__menu,
            .nav__actions {
                display: none;
            }
            
            .nav__toggle {
                display: block;
            }
            
            .hero h1 {
                font-size: 2rem;
            }
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <nav class="nav">
        <div class="nav__container">
            <div class="nav__logo">ModernUI</div>
            
            <ul class="nav__menu">
                <li><a href="#" class="nav__link nav__link--active">Home</a></li>
                <li><a href="#" class="nav__link">Features</a></li>
                <li><a href="#" class="nav__link">Pricing</a></li>
                <li><a href="#" class="nav__link">About</a></li>
            </ul>
            
            <div class="nav__actions">
                <button class="btn btn--outline">Sign In</button>
                <button class="btn btn--primary">Get Started</button>
            </div>
        </div>
    </nav>
    
    <section class="hero">
        <div>
            <h1>Modern Navigation Design</h1>
            <p>Responsive, Accessible & Beautiful</p>
        </div>
    </section>
</body>
</html>

🎯 Key Takeaways