Twenty Principles for WWW Design

The best one-item collection of information that I've found about how to design hypertext systems is Empirically-Based Guidelines for the Design of Interactive Multimedia, Educational Technology Research and Development, Volume 41, Number 3, 1993, p63-85, Innwoo Park and Michael J. Hannafin. The call number of the journal at Evans Library is P/87/A82.
These topics are based on a list from the article. My treatment of the individual items may lack some significant distinctions.

  1. Build on the basis of users' knowledge * The user's existing knowledge should be used.
  2. Relate information to users' knowledge * Relate new information to user's personal knowledge.
  3. Organize the presentation * Information presentation is as important as content.
  4. Accommodate differences * Give access to different levels of knowledge, learning and meaning.
  5. Present material worthy of review * Give the user information that's worth thinking about.
  6. Speak the users' language * Present new information in a manner that relates to existing knowledge.
  7. Provide data using multiple means * Use graphics, design, words and network resources together.
  8. Request the users' focus * Extensive learning requires attention.
  9. Simplify presentation * Design should complement and not compete with information content.
  10. Relate to real life * Use real-life concerns and circumstances.
  11. Provide many opportunities to learn * Teach flexibility through example and numerous viewpoints.
  12. Present summaries * State objectives and review what has been accomplished.
  13. Invite response * Give opportunities for user response.
  14. Use transitions of focus * Use the relatedness of subjects and disciplines to advantage.
  15. Make procedures easy * Treat the user easy with simple and complete navigation tools.
  16. Use visual means * Graphic knowledge maps show the relationship and content of topics.
  17. Help according to need * Provide help for the strategist, learner, and beginner.
  18. Adapt dynamically * Design the presentation so that it fits the needs of differing individuals.
  19. Control exposition of content * Spare the user needless effort; keep the process focused.
  20. Make purposes self-evident * Design so that information tools are as understandable as household tools.

JPF