Information architecture

Notes on [Rosenfeld, Morville 1998] -- thanks to Tom Alby for bringing this book to my attention. His paper on this approach will appear later.

Main job of information architect (p. 11):

• Clarifies the mission and vision for the site, balancing the needs of its sponsoring organization and the needs of its audiences.
• Determine what content and functionality the site will contain.
• Specifies how users will find information in the site by defining its organization, navigation, labeling, and searching systems.
• Maps out how the site will accommodate change and growth over time.

``Users don't notice the information architecture of a site unless it isn't working.''

Perspectives (p. 14):

• Producer's perspective.
• Consumer's perspective.

Possible positions and qualifications of the information architect (p. 15ff.):

• Senior management?
• Outsider?
• Insider?
• Discipline? --
  • Graphic Design
  • information and Library Science
  • Journalism
  • Usability Engineering
  • Marketing
  • Computer science
  • ...

Inter-departmental communication (p. 21):

Marketing

The marketing team focuses on the intended purposes and audiences for the web site. They must understand what will bring the right people to the web site and what will bring them back again.

Information Architecture

The information architects focus on the design of organization, indexing, labeling, and navigation systems to support browsing and searching throughout the web site.

Graphic Design

The designers are responsible for the graphic design and page layout that defines the graphic identity or look of the web site. They strive to create and implekment a design philosophy that balances form and function.

Editorial

Editors focus on the use of language throughout the web site. Their tasks may involve proofreading and editing copy, massaging content to ensure a common voice for the site, and creating new copy.

Technical

The technical designers and programmers are responsible for server administration and the development or integration of site production tools and web site applications. They advise the other teams regarding technology-related opportunities and limitations.

Project Management

The project manager keeps the project on schedule and within budget. He or she facilitates commnication between the other teams and the clients or internal stakeholders.

Entity-relationship approach to database design (p. 12).

Main topics (toc):

• Information Architecture
• Organizing Information
• Designing Navigation Systems
• Labeling Systems
• Searching Systems
• Research
• Conceptual Design
• Production and Operations