Learn in the textbookBasic Principles of Design and Organizing Information
DefinitionLATCH is a framework that sums up the axes for ordering or classifying information as five: location, alphabetical order (kana order in Japanese), time, category and hierarchy.
ExplanationThe name comes from the initials of Location, Alphabet, Time, Category and Hierarchy. The same information becomes easier or harder to find, and comes across differently, depending on the axis used, so pick the axis that matches how users search. A recipe collection, for instance, works differently depending on whether it is split by type of ingredient or listed by dish name in alphabetical order.
AnalogyIt is like deciding whether to shelve books by author, by publication date or by genre, depending on who will be looking for them.
Memory hookA latch is the catch that holds a door shut; picture five latches holding information in place.