S.L.A.T.C.H.?

If you’ve been around here, you probably know LATCH: the five ways of organizing exhibitions, experiences, or any kind of information.

To brush up, those are Location, Alphabetical, Time, Categorical, and Hierarchical (aka continuum). Richard Saul Wurman proposed the LATCH framework, and his point — yet to be overturned — is that there are only five.

Occasionally I’m asked to admit that some approach is not already covered, and warrants a new letter.

The most common proposed addition is “storyline” (aka narrative).

S.L.A.T.C.H.?

Fair question. Think of a Disney ride. You do a themed pre-show, take the ride, and hit a post-show, all organized around an adventure with characters you know. 

But “storyline” is already covered. It’s a “T”, for time. A narrative unfolds chronologically, either straight or otherwise.

Some argue that adding characters, plot, and settings to chronology elevates it outside the framework. But I don’t think it does.

(W.D.Y.T.? L.M.K.!)

Here’s the thing:
Organizing an experience by storyline is powerful. But it’s already covered in the LATCH framework: “T” for time.

Warmly,
Jonathan

P.S. 3 past articles and 1 podcast on LATCH:
LATCH: Five Ways to Organize Any Exhibition
7 Ways to Organize By Location
Five Twists on Chronology
LATCH, The Podcast