Content is viewable in both landscape and portrait mode

Applicable Role(s): Designer, Developer

Overview

Users may view digital content on a range of devices and contexts, which may mean changing the orientation of the device. Some users may also need to fix their device to a certain orientation for better accessibility.

Best Practices

Ensure content isn't restricted to any orientation, and is viewable in both portrait and landscape modes
- The exception is if an orientation is essential to the content's meaning. Example: rendering a piano playing application in landscape only is considered essential, as the experience can't be conveyed the same in portrait mode.
Use responsive design best practices so content is viewable at a range of device widths.

Pattern Examples

Accessible Example: University Homepage Site

The homepage site rotates between portrait and landscape mode, and is still viewable:

Portrait

The homepage site loads vertically on a screen width of less than 500 pixels

Landscape

The homepage site is rotated horizontally, still loading all elements and adopting more of a desktop layout

Inaccessible Example: iOS Settings

If someone wants to view their device horizontally and adjust settings on their device, the menu doesn't rotate to reflect landscape mode. This makes the menu render sideways, and much harder to scroll through and use.