Designing for the Unusual

Convention is comfortable. A nav bar at the top, a footer at the bottom, a hero in between. But comfortable doesn't mean memorable.

When to break the rules

Breaking convention should be intentional, not accidental. Ask yourself:

• Does this unconventional choice serve the content?
• Does it guide the user rather than confuse them?
• Can a first-time visitor still accomplish their goal?

If the answer to all three is yes, break away.

My approach

On this portfolio, I use a floating toggle button instead of a traditional nav bar. It's unusual, but it:

1. Saves vertical space — the hero gets the full viewport.
2. Creates interaction — clicking the toggle feels like an event.
3. Still works on mobile — the hamburger pattern is preserved.

The key is that the affordance is clear. The button looks clickable, it animates on hover, and the menu slides in predictably.

The line between creative and confusing

Creative design should never sacrifice usability. If a user has to think about how to navigate, you've gone too far. The best unusual designs feel inevitable in retrospect — like there was no other way to do it.