Information Architecture

What?

Everyone has had the experience of trying to find information or products on the Internet but being unable to do so. Making information as accessible as possible ensures that users do not switch to competitor sites.

The most successful sites contain vast amounts of information, features and functionality. However, there is a very real challenge in organising this information coherently to aid navigation and orientation.

Information architecture involves scientifically structuring this information logically for its' end users. Information architecture designed and tested by Usability specialists with input from real users is much more likely to be usable upon launch. Development costs and timelines can be considerably reduced by getting a thorough understanding of Usability implications before site building commences.

The Usability specialist creates wireframes (page mock-ups of individual screens) of the interface after a careful consideration of the site's intended content, intended audience, scenarios of use and technical constraints. These prototypes are created using tools such as Visio and Freehand.

Each element in the wireframe is verified by employing specialised techniques ie: card sorting to elicit user feedback on the developing information architecture. The wireframe is constantly revised based on this feedback and any necessary design modifications are made. Throughout this process the technical feasibility of the proposed solution is constantly monitored.

Information Architecture has 3 key deliverables:

Interaction Schema - wireframes providing a page-by-page storyboard and descriptions of page elements and features. It details what each screen should contain, and how the user can interact with it. It illustrates screen layouts, navigation rules and site information flow. It is essentially a blueprint for design.

Site map - a graphical overview of the proposed site structure in the form of a hierarchical diagram. It depicts all of the pages within the site and the relationships between them.

Style guides - used to guide designers/site builders in developing the entire site. The style guide will offer rules for the use of navigation, design elements, controls, labelling, and error messages.