Content ObjectsAn OO Approach to Information Architecture

#co #ozia

Geoff Bowers, Daemonhttp://blog.daemon.com.au

http://twitter.com/modius

Content Objects

Used for describing larger, content managed solutionsCan still be useful in conceptualising smaller creations

OO Baby Steps

Objects, Types, Classes

An object is just a concept to describe a“thing”Type or class is a template for objects that share similar properties & behaviours

Content Types & Objects

Content Type Content ObjectOlympic Athlete Dale Begg-Smith

Olympic Sport Freestyle Skiing

News Report Dale Dings Mogul Gold

Video Breakthrough in Solar Cells

Collection UNSW Research Docos

Faculty Faculty of Science

Developer Mindset

Approaching IA with the developer in mind can lead to a smoother transition from paper prototype to active codebase

Getting to Grips with Content Objects

IA Using Content Objects

Requirements gatheringPaper prototyping or “wireframing”

determine content typesdetermine views

Technical & visual design briefs

Site Hierarchies

Feedback Site Map

Vancouver 2010

Search Page

NewsOlympic TeamWinter Sports

About Results

News

Olympic Team

Winter Sports

Content Objects Fu

Page is always based on one specific content type or content object onlyPages are commonly composites of the primary content type & views of its relationships

Favour Explicit vs Implicit

Explicit: two objects pointing at each other

direct relationshipImplicit: two objects pointing to a third object

keywords, tagging, categories

Relationship Based IA

Focused on relationships between content typesSite hierarchy is secondary & applied last

AOC: Vancouver 2010

UNSWTV: Media Portal

Conclusions

Every wireframe is focused on a single primary Content TypeEvery page is a composite view of its relationshipsFavour Explicit over Implicit relationshipsContent relationships are key to web IA

QuestionsContent Objects: Relationship Focused IA

Geoff Bowers, Daemonhttp://blog.daemon.com.au

http://twitter.com/modius