This paper examines hypermedia design and draws conclusions about how educational research and theory applies to various aspects of World Wide Web (WWW) homepage design. "Hypermedia" is defined as any collection of information which may be textual, graphical, visual, or auditory in nature and which may be accessed via a nonlinear route. The paper covers hypermedia background and terminology, screen design, information structure, navigation, the impact of hypermedia design on exploration and learning, design issues specific to WWW homepages, and applying hypermedia research and theory to WWW homepage design. Recommendations for WWW homepage design include: (1) keep screen design consistent; (2) use text that is at least 12 point; (3) utilize layering capabilities to keep text in small consistent segments; (4) develop medium density screens and moderately complex screens; (5) concentrate items at the screen's optical center; (6) mix high and low color intensity or brightness to focus user attention; (7) with graphics, use wrap-around text rather than run-around text; (8) develop structure through use of headings, bold type, and white space; (9) map the structure of information; (10) each node/destination should be able to stand alone; (11) incorporate appropriate metaphor; (12) provide visual clues indicating users' selections are being processed; (13) include graphic or text-based organizers; (14) include comparative, causal, sequential, associative, exemplary, and componential links; (15) employ labeled and unlabeled links; and (16) when designing complex WWW homepages, consider using multiple complementary stimuli. (Contains 43 references.) (SWC)