Pattern definition to refine navigation structure in hypermedia/web applications

Abstract

When building Hypermedia/Web Applications, (different) designers are often faced with the same problems over and over again. Those recurring problems soon yield elegant solutions, which can be conveniently described as design patterns. In this paper we present two patterns for (Adaptive) Web Applications that refine the navigation structure of the application, based on use of the web application. Both patterns are inspired by existing Web Design practice. The patterns defined here are the so-called Related Child and Direct Path pattern. The first pattern links (child) nodes that are related (in a local context) while keeping track of the global context; the second provides a direct navigation path to relevant information. Both patterns aim to increase usability of the application, by reducing the amount of clicks needed to reach relevant information and thus make easier the navigation through the application.