information architectures
Information architecture (IA) is the practice of organizing, structuring, and labeling content in a way that makes information findable and understandable.
The history of IA can be traced back to the early days of the World Wide Web, when web designers began to realize the importance of creating well-structured websites to improve user experience.
The purpose of IA is to improve the user experience by making it easier for users to find the information they need, understand the relationships between different pieces of information, and navigate through complex information environments.
IA is an essential aspect of user-centered design and plays a critical role in the creation of effective websites, applications, and other digital products.
Resources for Understanding Information Architecture.
- Information Architects
- A List Apart
- IA.net
- UX Design
- Box Solutions
IA Issues
information overload.
labels, menus, descriptions, visual elements, content
systems thinking
structural design
3 circles of IA: context (goals), content (datatypes, structure), users (audience, tasks)
metadata
a sense of palce
visualizing information
sitemaps
wizards
search interfaces
chunks
lists
social organization schemas
site index
controlled vocabularies
user usage analysis
navigation system design
scenerios
concept maps
sitemaps
content models (i.e. a recipe, an album page)
standards
guidelines
pattern libraries
tagging (people-powered keywords)
mental models
Books
Dan Brown's Communicating Design
Peter Moeville Ambient Findability