An information flowchart defines a products structure. Once the flowchart exists a large amount of the design work has already been done. The next stage in the process is to design the access routes between topics and controls for the user. As a result of this process the flowchart will probably change - for the better.
Every screen needs controls that take users forward to the
place they can go, and back to the places they
came from. Each link in your flowchart represents an access route you will
need to create.
Types of access:
lists/menu
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timelines | ![]() |
icons/buttons
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maps
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Anchoring
User anxiety and frustration can be increased if the interface seems to jump
from place to place. The user will not feel in control of the application. There
is a simple solution to this issue: rather than taking the user to the content
bring new
content to the user. If you retain visual anchors such as headlines backgrounds
and other key graphics, users will perceive that new material has been brought
to the current location - not that they have traveled to a new location.