We have considered abstract principles, standards and guidelines, golden rules
and heuristics, and patterns, and have looked at examples of each. The most abstract
design rules are principles, which represent generic knowledge about good design
practice. Standards and guidelines are more specific. Standards have the highest
authority, being set by national or international bodies to ensure compliance by a
large community. Guidelines are less authoritative but offer specific contextual
advice, which can inform detailed design. Heuristics and ‘golden rules’ are succinct
collections of design principles and advice that are easily assimilated by any designer.
Patterns capture design practice and attempt to provide a generative structure to
support the design process.