This article was written by Michelle Wind, Product Manager, and Paula Polli, Product Designer, both part of SPREAD’s Product team. Together, they drive the vision and design of platform-wide experiences that make SPREAD more intuitive, consistent, and user-friendly.
By the end of this quarter, SPREAD’s Product team will introduce a persistent sidebar across the entire platform. In detail, this means that no matter inside which of the applications users are working on, they will always have a way to switch between different contexts seamlessly. Navigation becomes faster and more direct, keeping Engineers focused on their work without extra steps through the launcher.
Our current navigation model has taken different shapes over time. The Platform is built to empower teams with consistency and flow. As we aim to break down data silos, being able to easily navigate within that platform becomes a crucial part.
Previously, users often switched between applications and returned to the apps overview (the launcher) to continue their work. With the new sidebar, we are excited to announce that this journey will become more direct and intuitive.
In that way, the platform is designed to be fully consistent. By making the relationships between data, tools, and views easier to follow, the sidebar strengthens our promise of a unified and composable platform.
We took the feedback we received seriously and with the sidebar update, SPREAD enhances both the look and feel of the platform and makes it easier for users to move through their work with clarity and confidence.
A static sidebar promotes:
The design process began with a thorough audit of the current state of navigation across the platform. Quickly, we found opportunities to make navigation more predictable and scalable: navigation bars appeared in different areas of the screen (sometimes on the side, sometimes at the top), entry points and functionalities varied, and there was a lack of consistency in sizes, colors, and typography. These discrepancies made the overall experience less intuitive and harder to scale as the platform grew.
Along with those insights, we defined the key priorities and goals for the redesign. The new navbar should be scalable, adaptable to the complexity of our products and data, and to make the best use of screen space. Just as importantly, it had to promote a platform identity, creating a consistent experience that users could rely on across all features.
From there, multiple proposals were created and shared across teams for discussion. Design, Engineering, and Product worked hand in hand, iterating quickly on different approaches. Regular feedback sessions ensured that we could adapt fast, test solutions against real needs, and move forward with confidence.
This way of working is core to how we build at SPREAD: rapid product evolution that balances usability, feasibility, and business goals. By integrating these perspectives from the beginning, we were able to arrive at a final solution that not only solves today’s challenges but also lays the groundwork for future growth.
The new sidebar marks one of the steps forward in unifying and improving navigation across the platform. Compared to the previous approach, it introduces consistency, flexibility, and a future-proof structure. Here’s what has changed:
Comparison of the sidebar before and after the update
Instead of different navigation patterns in different parts of the platform, the solution now offers one persistent sidebar that is present across every application. This not only strengthens the platform’s look and feel but also makes better use of screen space, ensuring the layout adapts to complex products and data.
Sidebar: expanded and collapsed view
The sidebar can now be collapsed or expanded with a single click. This gives users the flexibility to adapt navigation to their workflow and preferences while optimizing the available workspace. Before, sidebars were either permanently expanded (taking up valuable space) or lacked flexibility.
Sidebar with clustered navigation structure
Entries are grouped into meaningful clusters, giving users a clear overview of the platform workflow. This structure helps users quickly understand where they are and how different applications and tools connect.
Sidebar with clear separation of sections
The navigation is now divided into two distinct sections: platform applications and user settings. This provides a transparent and intuitive structure that guides users directly to the right place. Besides that, administrators can benefit from a dedicated entry point for user and role management, that makes it easier to oversee permissions and rights.
As a next step, the revamped sidebar will be getting a refreshed color scheme that aligns with our updated brand identity. The new and tested palette unifies the look across all applications and transfers a modern but professional platform look.
With the introduction of the static sidebar, the platform is evolving into a more cohesive and intuitive environment. Users can now switch between contexts seamlessly, navigate with clarity, and enjoy a unified design that enhances both productivity and usability, making every interaction smoother and more intuitive