Clear Channel

Clear Channel, a large media conglomerate, decided to develop an intranet in-house and wanted to ensure a consistent interface and follow established human-computer interaction principles.  To do this, they hired Brook Group to develop a reference manual for their developers that included typical user behavior, design guidelines, and best practices for user interfaces.

Setting the Standard

The project consisted of the following tasks: research human-computer interaction and user behavior, determine necessary subject matter, organize concepts into logical categories and write a comprehensive guide for developers.

Brook Group began the project by clarifying Clear Channel's needs and expectations.  We examined existing pattern libraries and compiled a list of topics that should be covered.  We determined the structure of the guide by grouping like topics.  We followed with extensive research into human-computer interaction and the psychological and physiological factors that dictate user behavior.  Our experts wrote the manual based on their research and experience.

Writing the Book

The guide is living document that is scalable and expandable.  Developers now have standards to refer to when building an application.  Information can be transferred easily to newly hired developers.  The document is also visually engaging. It can be used for any Web application, not just the intranet, because it includes a wide range of fundamental patterns to cover common scenarios.