In chapter two of The Language of New Media Design, the idea of simple non-linear models is discussed. Simple non-linear models are some of the most basic models of media design. Diagrams, like the given and new, tree, and star, “help map out the conceptual structure of texts or domains and that make explicit how such texts or domains are generally understood” (15). Simple non-linear lines also establish a contrast between the known and unknown, and are considered a design element because of certain cultural prejudices.

The most basic simple non-linear model is the star model. A star model has a centralized structure. The central element is the core information, and unifies the surrounding items in some way. However, all of the surrounding information may not necessarily be related to one another. Star models are multimodal in the sense they do not real in a linear fashion. This can also be said for a number of other simple non-linear models. The most obvious example of a star diagram used in a website is Wikipedia. At the center is a globe made up of puzzle pieces, surrounded circularly by various links to Wikipedia’s websites in different languages. Each puzzle piece represents a different language that surrounds the centralized element. Although each separate link does not necessarily relate to the others, they all coexist in the same environment.

Another type of non-linear model, but definitely not as common as the star or tree model, is the table. Tables are used when comparing different items of information. Processes are listed vertically, while “attributes in terms of which they are compared” (35) are listed horizontally Simply put, it combines the aspects of the star and tree diagrams, yet tables allow for a comparison. An obvious example of this is the Craigslist website. Horizontally listed by most common usage are US cities followed by countries and then continents (i.e.: Canada, Asia, Americas). Vertically listed are links to help pages, job boards, and blogs. The table is used in this case to summarize vast and complex domains, yet it is important to note it is not structured around comparison. It could even be called a database since it has the table structure, but is used to store information.