what is information architecture (ia)?
DESCRIPTION
what information architecture is, what an information architect does, and the process of doing information architecture.TRANSCRIPT
What is Information Architecture (IA) Systemically?a quick summary with a brief example...
David J. Walczyk, Ed.D.Art | Design | Consciousness
[email protected] | [email protected]
New York University
A system better than the sum of the parts
A system better than the sum of the parts
Richard Saul Wurmancoined the term “Information Architecture”
“The individual who organizes the patterns inherent in data, making the complex clear;a person who creates the structure or map of information which allows others to find their personal paths to knowledge; the emerging 21st century professional occupation addressing the needs of the age focused upon clarity, human understanding and the science of the organization of information.”
Organizational Context
Service InterfacesUser Needs
• Information• Task completion• Customization/personalization• Content• Etc...
• Goals• Culture• Technology• Resources/constraints• Politics• Etc...
• Audience• Task• Needs• Information seeking behaviour• Experience• Etc...
Conceptually
Organizational Strategy | ‘User Needs | Content
Design Technology
A person• Mediator• User-advocate• Helps form and hold
project vision• Translator• Etc...
A deliverable• Site map• Wireframes• Interaction design• Presentation• Etc...
Organizationally
Four interrelated systems
1. Organizational System 2. Labeling System
3. Navigational System 4. Layout System
Organizational Strategy‘User’ Needs
Content
These systems are INTRINSICALLY related and driven by the interrelationship of (1) Organizational Strategy, (2) ‘User’ Needs, and (3) Content.
Informationorganization/Task analysis
Testing Revisions
Organizational Strategy | ‘User’ Needs | Content
A systemic and recursive process
LabelingNavigation/
Task completion/Content Strategy
Site Map(if possible) Wireframes Interaction
DesignGraphicDesign
Many ways! This is just one! IMPORTANT: Bad IA/UX is the norm because the design is not treated systemically as a recursive process driven by a holistic understanding of organizational goals,‘user’
needs, and content.
A Simple Example
Home
Home IA
Home Design
Product Page
(Absorbable) Product Page IA
(Absorbable) Product Page Design
Search
Search IA
Search Design