Hybrid detail — layout & branding (round 2)

Framework H (left module nav + wizard only for create) won Phase 1. This round picks one consistent section-navigation pattern, whether users may override that layout, and a branding direction. Open the live demos, then vote here.

How to review

Open a live demo link below (same Hybrid H shell; only section-nav + brand change).
Click through Log, Setup, RunSets — section nav must feel consistent across modules.
Return here and cast one ballot (nav + layout policy + brand). Optional comment.

From Framework Picker (Phase 1)

Charmaine Holmes: Liked H for clarity; asked for more Cindercone and Magma branding (colours, logos).
Kev: Preferred H overall; wanted the dark left nav as an accordion that includes the middle Setup areas menu.
Martin H: Branding and flow questions — listen to frequent Magma users on design.

Try the demos

Module	Top tabs · Wireframe	Left rail · Wireframe	Accordion · Cindercone
Log	Open	Open	Open
Tracking	Open	Open	Open
RunSets	Open	Open	Open
Setup	Open	Open	Open
Process Runsets	Open	Open	Open
Login	Open	Open	Open

1 · Preferred navigation (pick one)

Tallies: nav-top-tabs=6, nav-left-rail=0, nav-accordion=6 · total ballots 12

Horizontal section tabs

Under the page title: Main / Dirs / Flex (RunSet) or Log / History. Matches the Hybrid RunSet-edit mock. Same pattern on Setup, Log, Tracking.

Preview on Log

Secondary left areas rail

Middle column lists areas (Mail Flow, Config…). Matches the Hybrid Setup mock. Same pattern on RunSet edit, Log, Tracking.

Preview on Log

Accordion inside dark left nav

Sections nest under the active module in the primary nav (Kev’s request). No middle column.

Preview on Log

2 · Layout policy (pick one)

Tallies: policy-company-fixed=9, policy-user-choice=3

Company-fixed layout

Everyone uses the section-nav option chosen above. No per-user / per-customer override.

Allow customer / user to pick layout

Ship all three section-nav modes. Company can set a default; each Magma user (or site) may choose their own preferred layout in account/settings.

3 · Branding (pick one)

Tallies: brand-wireframe=1, brand-cindercone=9, brand-user-colours=1, brand-other=1

Wireframe teal / navy

Current Option H look — teal accents on dark navy chrome.

Preview on Log

Cindercone / Magma branded

Black + orange (~#EC6807) from Sales-Marketing branding logos and cindercone.com; Magma wordmark + Cindercone logo in nav/login. DIN Pro when available.

Preview on Log

Let users / customers pick colours

Ship a default theme (Cindercone or wireframe) but allow each Magma user or customer site to choose accent / chrome colours in settings (as discussed with Dev).

Other — provide details

Something else (e.g. customer brand pack, dual theme, white-label). Describe what you want below.

Your name (optional)

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Comments

Rob · 2026-08-17T07:32:41+00:00

Based on my experience with similar systems, I believe we need to strike a balance between defining what we want to deliver and accommodating what customers would like to see. Providing customers with too much control over the interface could make it more difficult to maintain. It also increases the risk that seemingly minor changes could have unintended knock-on effects elsewhere in the system. I like the approach that the horizontal section tabs provide, as they offer: Quick and intuitive access to the main areas of the system. More detailed navigation through tiles across the top of each section. On the EDI Setup subpage, there are clickable links at the bottom. I would question whether these are necessary, or if they would be better presented as sub-tiles beneath the relevant main tile to maintain consistency in the navigation structure. In terms of branding, I believe we should continue to align with the Magma brand guidelines and colour palette. If there is sufficient customer demand over time, we could then evaluate extending this capability to allow customer-specific branding.
Sam VH · 2026-08-13T09:18:24+00:00

(Last comment from Sam VH)
Anonymous · 2026-08-13T09:17:51+00:00

I would agree with Martins points on single style of layout, maintaining separate layouts whilst trying to maintain support for several devices/screen sizes could easily end up a bit of a time-sink on the dev side. Finding the best layout that will be suitable for all devices that makes good use of available screen real estate will likely result in the best customer experience
Wayne · 2026-07-27T07:15:21+00:00

Concerning Martins' points i understand the work involved in the layouts, but these days customers expect options and as noted if you view on different devices or even screen sizes have the option to set these gives a better user experience, at the end of the day this is a user interface
Martin Hepworth · 2026-07-24T08:59:32+00:00

I'd need to see a strong justification for creating multiple options, as that will be more dev time, more odd bugs as we introduce more features, more support issues, more documentation issues. Let's settle on one. Branding non-negotiable, we control that. I have a concern that the layouts are totally different on mobile to desktop. For example I like "Accordion inside dark left nav" on desktop but on my mobile it reverts to more like "Horizontal section tabs". I believe we will find users accessing logs etc on mobile / tablet. Heavy admin work may be done on desktop of course.