UX IRL Ep: 48: Information Architecture Recap Part 1

Hello! Here are our show notes for episode 48: Information Architecture Conference (IAC) Recap Part 1.We hit the highlights in this article, but get the full context by listening to the episode:

We’re FINALLY getting around to discussing our time at this year’s Information Architecture Conference. Were you able to make it? What talks stood out to you? And if you weren’t there, tell us what talks you’re most curious about! As always, reach out to us on the zeroheight Slack community (zeroheight.com/slack), comment below or reply on Twitter @uxinreallife or Instagram @ux.inreallife.

We’re summarizing SIX of our favorite talks from the conference, and because there was SO much to say, we’re going to be splitting it up into two parts.

Wait, what’s IAC?

Formerly known as the Information Architecture (IA) Summit, it’s expanded its audience to be broader than just information architects, which is great because UX people also do information architecture!

Typically, it’s a more academic conference, so slightly nerdier than your average UX event, which is a big draw. People geek out about everything from taxonomy to structure and words and etymology. Michelle likens it to Summer Camp and for Mary Fran, it really appeals to to the English major in her!

Favorite Talk #1: 1–1s with your Managers by Farai Madzima

Mary Fran picked this talk as one of her favorites because Farai did an amazing job emphasizing that your career is a collaboration between you and your manager, and if you’re meeting regularly, your performance review should be a summary.

Farai explained how to successfully do just that, such as looking out for what he called “tripwires:” such as having no agenda, not a lot to talk about, etc. He also recommended a favorite method of ours we used at Citrix: BICEPS from Paloma Medina: Belonging, Improvement, Choice, Equality, Fairness and Significance. It’s a great gut check for managers (and individual contributers), to ensure they’re covering these bases during 1–1s. Managers don’t always have the luxury of someone teaching them how to do these things. We wish Farai could train all managers!

Favorite Talk #2: Liminal Butterfly Goo by Veronica Erb

Michelle picked Liminal Butterfly Goo by IA Summit friend Veronica Erb!

Fun fact: when caterpillars go into their cocoons, they turn into goo before becoming a butterflies—yes, that’s right, their whole cell structure breaks down to goo to then make a butterfly, which both Michelle and Mary Fran found mind blowing (P.S. Mary Fran loved this talk, too).

Veronica’s talk focused on making sense of our own transitional “goo” states. For Veronica, that meant navigating work after having a kid and during a pandemic. She had 3 main takeaways. First, Veronica’s a recovering people pleaser (something most of us, as UXers, can relate to), and she was struggling to heal while doing UX.

Second, if we value money above all else, we can’t value people first. What are you creating that’s unequal for somebody else?

Lastly, work used to provide her purpose, but now she finds it through working with her community.

Michelle and Mary Fran thought this was an especially powerful talk and hope you all will check it out!

Favorite Talk #3: This is Fine, Everything is Fine: Leading Well through Change and Uncertainty by Vidhika Bansal

Mary Fran and Michelle also loved this timely talk from Vidhika Bansal of how to navigate this increasingly crazy world. She emphasized the importance of managers being vulnerable—no one has all the answers, and managers are no exception. And that’s OK. “I don’t know,” is a valid response to uncertainty.

Vidhika zeroed in on small, impactful changes to make with teams such as turning towards emotional bids: i.e. responding and acknowledging people. One of the ways she loves to do this is by always responding to slack messages with some kind of emoji—making sure the writer of said message feels seen and heard.

She also recommended listening with intent to understand, not reply. It’s more important to take in everything to make sure you’ve understood what’s been said. These “micro doses of certainty” Vidhika walks through are so approachable—we love a talk that’s not only powerful but feels easy to implement.

Conclusion

We are going to pause here for today but will be back soon with part two of our recap, which will feature 3 more of our favorite talks.

Be sure to come see us at UX Y’all October 5th through 6th in Raleigh, NC—Michelle is one of the keynote speakers!