Published inEightShapes·Pinned21 More Small Thoughts on Information ArchitectureExpositions, Illustrations, and Annotations to Scott Kubie’s 21 Small Thoughts on IA — Scott Kubie wrote 21 thoughts on information architecture, perhaps because he’s too modest to call them truths about information architecture. Scott’s methodical approach to understanding and explaining information architecture appeals to me as a mentor, educator, consultant, and of course information architect.Information Architecture15 min readInformation Architecture15 min read
Published inEightShapes·PinnedDo digital products have information architecture?Information architecture is commonly associated with navigation: how people get from one area to another within a digital space. But information architecture deals not just with navigation, but also the underlying conceptual structure of a product. Let’s break that down: Underlying: The structure may not be visible, but guides how…Design6 min readDesign6 min read
Published inEightShapes·PinnedProduct IA is hard to talk aboutTheory: The information architecture of products happens at a higher level of abstraction than the IA of web sites, and is therefore harder to recognize, acknowledge, and discuss. When I was a young philosophy major back in 1991, my social philosophy professor asked, “They say it takes one to know…Information Architecture7 min readInformation Architecture7 min read
Published inEightShapes·PinnedThe Structure of Digital Design RevolutionsA new project has me thinking about how digital design has changed over the decades. The shifts I’m thinking about aren’t merely new techniques. They aren’t the occasional yet inevitable calls for eliminating wireframes or personas. Instead they are fundamental changes in how design happens. They are paradigm shifts. One…Design7 min readDesign7 min read
Published inEightShapes·PinnedFour Tradeoffs When Designing Navigation MenusTo be an information architect is to immerse oneself in tradeoffs: sacrificing one approach or direction for another. When we choose to focus on nouns instead of verbs, or breadth instead of depth, or expert users instead of novice users, we’re making a tradeoff. …Information Architecture7 min readInformation Architecture7 min read
Published inEightShapes·Jul 12Concepts, information architecture’s building blocksIt’s time for me to define what I mean by concept. I’ve dreaded this moment as much as you have. 😉 We use the word “concept” in design usually to mean “big idea” or “potential design direction.” But I’m talking about something else here: the ideas that define a product. …Information Architecture8 min readInformation Architecture8 min read
Published inEightShapes·Jul 7Enterprise products, an information architect’s perspectiveIn the realm of digital products, some cater specifically to the enterprise. As I continue my exploration of Product IA, I’ll focus on these kinds of products because of their acute information architecture challenges. Let’s first define what we mean by “enterprise products.” There are at least three features of…Information Architecture5 min readInformation Architecture5 min read
Published inGreenonions·Oct 21, 2022The Self-Reflection of a Senior Designer: A Case StudyCritique is the engine of design. To get ongoing feedback on work — structured, meaningful, relevant feedback — is what turns art into design. Designers learn to hear and incorporate feedback on their work dispassionately, with a growth mindset, with an enthusiasm to make the product better. But what happens…Design7 min readDesign7 min read
Aug 26, 2022Facets, Tags, and Cross-Cutting TopicsWhen I posted my previous article on Cross-Cutting Topics, Peter Merholz asked, “How is this different from faceted classification?” Er… I dunno. My professional aim is to contribute tools and ideas to the practice of information architecture. Make use of them as you see fit. In this follow-up I won’t…Information Architecture4 min readInformation Architecture4 min read
Published inEightShapes·Aug 12, 2022Cross-Cutting TopicsIn any given domain of information, some topics that cut across every other one. Hence: a cross-cutting topic. In medicine, for example, you have cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and pediatrics, among others. …Information Architecture10 min readInformation Architecture10 min read