Hi 3slag and thank you for your question.
Information Architecture can be a confusing and sometimes daunting
principle that many erroneously believe is just about creating
navigational structures for web sites, it is much more than that. It's
been around a long time in software, engineering, and library science.
It is also a subject that is near and dear to me ;) and I'm going to
focus on what it means as applied to web sites
Information Architecture it's kind of a unifying principle that looks
at the big picture not just website design. It not only takes into
consideration a web sites usability to people visiting the site but
the short and long-term goals of the company or people who own the
site, the future of the website, resources available, front- and
back-end technologies and the people who will be working on the web
site now and in the future.
It involves documenting everything in a design document; the record of
the decisions made in designing the site so that all parties involve
are playing from the same playbook, so to speak.
Information Architecture:
Defines the Site's Goals
Defines the Site's Audience (users)
Determines what the content and functionality the site will contain
Specifies how users will find information in the site by defining it's
organization, navigation, labeling, and searching systems (this is
where the usability comes in).
Maps out how the site will accommodate change and growth over time
For a small web site with a few pages this is a pretty easy task or
for a web site for a small company with just one or two decision
makers this can be an easy task, however for large companies with
several departments and dozens of decision makers or large websites
with 1000's of pages it can get a little complex.
I have included links to several sites that define and explain
Information Architecture but I believe WebMonkey's is the best. They
explain it very well in layman’s terms and they have a great tutorial.
-WebMonkey
"Information architecture is the science of figuring out what you want
your site to do and then constructing a blueprint before you dive in
and put the thing together. It's more important than you might
think..."
"Information architecture (also known as IA) is the foundation for
great Web design. It is the blueprint of the site upon which all other
aspects are built - form, function, metaphor, navigation and
interface, interaction, and visual design. Initiating the IA process
is the first thing you should do when designing a site."
WebMonkey has a great tutorial on Information Architecture that
defines the process step by step with some very good descriptions and
scenarios
Information Architecture Tutorial
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/98/28/index0a.html
-IBM Developer Works
Information architecture concepts
Misconceptions explained
"What exactly is information architecture? Is it the same thing as
information design? Is it the same thing as design, period? Some job
postings for information architecture seem to imply that an
information architect can be anything from a database architect to an
all-purpose visual designer to a senior technical writer.
The information architect lays a lot of the groundwork for how content
is organized on a site, regardless of where that content resides (flat
files, multimedia, database fields). And with complex Web sites and
portals, an information architect can keep things from turning into a
nightmare."
…"The architect primarily cares about structure, flow, and such
fundamentals as placement of plumbing and electrical systems. If the
architect doesn't do his job, then the building might collapse or fail
to meet the needs of the people using or living in the building. For
example, there may not be enough bedrooms.
Interior designers, on the other hand, care about color, placement,
and style of furnishings; textures; surfaces; and sensory appeal. They
may be trying to provide a certain look to rooms, such as
Mediterranean or Spanish, or making sure that colors and styles are
themed throughout the structure.”
IBM Developer Works
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/library/us-inarch.html?dwzone=usability"
-CNET's builder.com
What is information architecture?
At its most basic, information architecture is the construction of a
structure or the organization of information. In a library, for
example, information architecture is a combination of the catalog
system and the physical design of the building that holds the books.
On the Web, information architecture is a combination of organizing a
site's content into categories and creating an interface to support
those categories. It stems from traditional architecture, which is
made up of architectural programming and architectural planning.
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/0-3881-8-5113200-2.html?tag=st.bl.3881-8-5113200-1.txt.3881-8-5113200-2
10 questions about information architecture
CNET's builder.com
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/0-3881-8-5113200-2.html?tag=st.bl.3881-8-5113200-1.txt.3881-8-5113200-2
-Argus Center for Information Architecture
White Paper- Information Architecture Glossary
"This glossary is intended to foster development of a shared
vocabulary within the new and rapidly evolving field of information
architecture. It should serve as a valuable reference for anyone
involved with or interested in the design of information architectures
for web sites, intranets and other information systems."
Argus Center For Information Architecture
http://argus-acia.com/white_papers/ia_glossary.pdf
I hope this answer helps to define Information Architecture for you.
Please ask for clarification if needed.
Thank You,
wlk115 |
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