Menysystem

Menysystem is a term used in information design to describe a structured approach to creating menus and navigational interfaces in digital products. The term fuses "menu" with "system" and is used to refer to frameworks that organize options, commands, and settings to aid discovery and efficient use. There is no universal formal definition; it is typically described in guidelines and discussions about menu design rather than as a formal theory.

In practice, a menysystem encompasses layers such as primary menus, submenus, contextual or adaptive menus, and sometimes integrated search or command palettes. Design aims include clear labeling, consistent placement across screens, predictable behavior, and minimal cognitive load. Responsive and adaptive variants adjust the menu structure based on device, screen size, and user context, while maintaining traceability of options through landmarks, icons, or keyboard shortcuts.

Applications appear across software platforms, including desktop and mobile applications, web interfaces, and embedded systems. Critics note that deep menu hierarchies can obscure functionality and hinder learnability, while proponents argue that well-structured menus improve efficiency for frequent tasks. The concept remains informal and is often discussed alongside information architecture and menu design rather than as a separate, widely adopted theory.