Information Architecture & Design Tuesday 6:30–9:30pm SZB 546 http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~i385e A. Fleming SeayCourse OverviewSyllabus and Topics OverviewAssignmentsRules for AssignmentsRules for Assignments (continued)Class WorkIA Course RequirementsIA Course PreferencesDo’s and Don’ts for IA1IntroductionsInformation Architecture OverviewWhat is Information Architecture?What defines Info Architectures?DNA is information, now this is IAThis IA is useful tooIA has DensitySlide 18Not just graphicsWhat Do Info Architects Do?Slide 21AKA IA?Information Architecture is …IA in ContextApproaches to IAWhat about Design?Design & IADesign is an AttitudeDesigners & Information ArchitectsOur IA MethodologyIA MethodologyPrinciples of UI Design & IAWhat about Visualization & IA?Types of Visualization InteractionWeb CategoriesDrill down selection in a GUIVisual ClusteringGUIs are good for usersDeliverables for next weekInformation Architecture & DesignTuesday 6:30–9:30pm SZB 546http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~i385e A. Fleming SeaySchool of Information, Fall 2007University of TexasCourse OverviewSyllabusRequirements & PreferencesIA & Design ReadingsGroup ProjectsDo’s and Don’tsIA OverviewWhat is IA?Information Architect as a ProfessionSyllabus and Topics OverviewWeekly WorkReadingsPrimarySecondaryClass WorkDiscussions in classParticipation is the key to getting something out of this courseCooperation & Collaboration with others in classAssignmentsDiscussionsClass discussionsPresentationsIA TopicSite design (your final assignment)IA WorkSmall assignments due every other weekSite critiqueExamine a Web site for information structure, design, navigability, general usability & underlying design technologyRules for AssignmentsAssignments due at the absolute beginning of classDo not be late to classLate assignments are penalized 20% per 24 hour periodYou are responsible for making sure the assignment is receivedE.g. Due at Noon today, turned in tomorrow at Noon = -20%. Turned in a week later = 0.Arrangements can be agreed upon for known issuesTravel, Serious Illness or WorkRules for Assignments (continued)Do not mail attachments to me unless agreed uponMake assignments Web accessibleWhen required, notify class of your assignment via class listservPosting or sent email times count as submission timesFor Web pages, DO NOT use MS Word or FrontPage No “Save As…”Learn to use Web markup tools & see the XHTML codeClass WorkMailing list (listserv) Go to https://utlists.utexas.edu/sympa/info/inf385e . Log in or create an account Click subscribe in left margin. Follow instructions. To post a message to the mailing list, address your email to: [email protected] Course RequirementsUse Fundamental IA ToolsHTML EditorsGraphics EditorsSite Mapping ToolsSite Organization ToolsLearn and Use IA MethodologyWork Through the Phases of the IA ProcessCreate and Maintain a Design SpecificationUse Structured Development TechniquesIA Course PreferencesIA TechnologiesHTML, XHTML, XMLJavascript and DatabasesInnovative Design using:ContentInterfacesOrganization schemes (“architectures”)Work on a Real ProjectDeveloping RequirementsDefining and Implementing DesignsDealing with changes & deadlinesDo’s and Don’ts for IA1Do turn in assignments at the very beginning of class. Don’t be late for class.Don’t use Microsoft Word’s “Save As…” feature or FrontPage to build any Web pages.Do try new Web designs.Do use Web dev tools you haven’t used before.Do embrace different aspects of the IA roles.IntroductionsWhere are you from?What program are you in and what year?How much experience in building pages/sites?Information Architecture OverviewWhat is Information Architecture?What Do Information Architects Do?Approaches to Information ArchitectureInformation Architecture ProcessDesign and Information ArchitectureDesigners and Information ArchitectsInformation as ProductWhat is Information Architecture?Builds on Skills, Methods & History of ArchitectureIA is not just an analogyIA is Process-OrientedIA is both Art & ScienceBuilt upon Theory (Knowledge & Experiments)Realized in Practice (Skills & Experience)IA is a Dynamic DisciplineTechnologies are continually changingPeople have accelerating needs & expectationsWhat defines Info Architectures?Convey organization & informationProvide a logical, understandable structure for current (& future) informationSeem well-designed (perception)Provide Just in Time informationSupport reference & retrievalA picture worth a thousand wordsAn architecture to find those 1,000 words & moreNot always a simple pictureDNA is information, now this is IAThis IA is useful tooIA has DensityCommunicate structureWhere to goWhere you’ve beenHow much is thereSite MapsNot just graphicsTables of contentIndexShelves of BooksList of linksWhat Do Info Architects Do?Use Tools and MethodsApply Experience & Understanding of UsersManage the IA ProcessRoles IncludeApplication DevelopmentContent DevelopmentDesignMISEducationProduct ManagementWhat Do Info Architects Do?Work through an IA MethodologyPlanAnalyzeDesignConstructVerifyMaintainIterate the processAdapt to technology, information & customer needsAKA IA?Experience DesignExperience Modeling (X-Mod)User ModelingUsability EngineeringWebmasterInteraction DesignMultimedia DeveloperInstructional DesignerWeb DeveloperThe Visio job search…Information Architecture is …Proactive Strategic for Information SystemsTactical for TechnologiesProfitable for the OrganizationCentral to BusinessApplicable to Any EndeavorNot just Web sitesInformation & ProcessFluidIndispensableIA in ContextLearningInformation SeekingInformation RetrievalAnalytical StrategyBrowsingStrategyInformation ArchitectureApproaches to IAMediator of the Design ProcessInterpreter of User Needs and UsesApplying Theory to Practice (Top-Down)Designing & Extending from Examples (Bottom-Up)VisionaryProducer, DirectorArtist or ScientistObjective / SubjectiveProject Lead – IA – Designer – Usability - QAWhat about Design?Design as Problem SolvingView of the world as an information spaceImproving the information spaceProducts that solve these problemsInformation as ProductConnections & Organization as ProductProcesses that solve problemsEducation (eLearning)Business Transformation (Web 2.0)Information Architecture is critical for good Application DesignDesign & IACreating & managing informationVisualization alone isn’t enoughUsers. Content. Context.Design is an