Advanced interaction techniques are necessary to
explore the potential of large data-volume systems. In this
context, rich internet application patterns were defined, but
usually reduced to the development of social web applications.
However, other types of applications, such as data-analysis
applications, require also advanced interaction solutions to assist
users in making decisions and data-analysis. This paper identifies
a set of problems emerged in the interaction between humans and
data-analysis applications. We propose a set of guidelines for rich
applications as a solution for these problems. As illustrative
example of a real data-analysis environment, the paper focuses
on a case study in the cultural heritage domain, highlighting the
existing interaction problems and how they can be solved
through the design guidelines proposed. The set of design
guidelines allows to specify interfaces abstractly, creating a
repository to solve interaction problems. These guidelines aim to
serve as a basis for a future identification of new rich
applications design patterns.