Information Architecture
What is information architecture?
Information architecture is a science of writing and design that focuses on structuring website and mobile content to maximize user understanding and ease of access to the information provided. Information architecture says that, because the user or the target audience for the data is the number one priority, the structure of your information heavily depends on their needs and goals while on your website or app. Along with user needs, information architecture should be changed based on your medium (product website vs app vs blog), as well as the depth of information (highly technical concepts to more general knowledge).
Another way to understand this is by imagining a Venn diagram that overlaps 3 key parts:
Context: includes elements like business goals, culture, and available resources
Content: includes elements like content objectives, documents and data types
Users: include elements like your audience, the tasks they will need to complete, and their experience with the information
Why does information architecture matter?
Information architecture lays a foundation for many other web design processes: formation of a user-based content strategy, development of prototypes and wireframes, creation of visuals, use of navigation and interaction within the web product, and more. Thoroughly planning out information architecture before getting started on a project can seem time-consuming and inefficient, but in actuality, laying this foundation can save much more time in the design process as you move toward creating an effective and usable product for your user.
What are the main components of information architecture?
Industry standards for information architecture dictates that there are 4 main components of IA:
Organization Structures: how content is grouped together or divided up so that users can successfully predict where certain information can be located
Labelling Systems: how the information and data is represented or distinguished so that users can find related data under specific headings or labels
Navigation Systems: how the user is guided through the web product to find the information they need
Search Systems: how the user looks for information within the web product
These components should be structured together and reworked to allow your users to find and utilize the information you provide with ease and clarity.
What are some examples of effective information architecture?
These sites contain examples of information architecture models that have been used to prioritize usability and usefulness in web design:
Sources:
https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/information-architecture.html
https://uxplanet.org/information-architecture-basics-for-designers-b5d43df62e20
https://uxdesign.cc/a-brief-history-of-information-architecture-d26b17205e7b
