Five Hat Racks
A fundamental design principle identifying the five key ways to organize any information, summarized by the LATCH acronym.
Also known as: LATCH, Five Ways to Organize Information
Category: Frameworks
Tags: information-architecture, designs, organizations, ux, pkm
Explanation
The Five Hat Racks is a foundational information architecture principle coined by Richard Saul Wurman. It states that there are only five ways to organize information, which deeply affects how people discover, interpret, understand, and interact with it.
These five organizing principles are captured in the LATCH acronym:
**L - Location**
Organizing by physical or geographic position. Maps, floor plans, and regional breakdowns use this approach.
**A - Alphabet**
Organizing alphabetically. Dictionaries, directories, and indexes use this timeless method.
**T - Time**
Organizing chronologically. Timelines, histories, and schedules follow this structure.
**C - Category**
Organizing by similarity or type. Libraries, stores, and taxonomies use categorical organization.
**H - Hierarchy**
Organizing by magnitude, importance, or ranking. Charts showing 'largest to smallest' or 'most to least' use hierarchy.
**Why it matters:**
Every information design decision falls into one (or a combination) of these categories. Understanding the Five Hat Racks helps you:
- Choose the most appropriate organization for your context
- Recognize why certain arrangements feel intuitive or confusing
- Create better information experiences for yourself and others
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