Information architecture
From Wikinfo
Information architecture is the art and science of structuring knowledge (technically data) to be published in a web, and defining user interactions (also see use case).
In the context of Web design, information architecture is the organization of information to aid in information retrieval. A common example of this is the categorization of similar information into sections of a website, with those sections displayed in pages. Information Architects create a variety of project deliverables including Site Architecture Maps and Wireframes, s,(also known as Page Schematics).
An Information Architecture Design Document template might look something like this:
- Goals
- User Experience (with Appendix A: Competitive Site Analysis)
- Site Content
- Content Groups by Labels
- Functional Requirements (with Appendix B: Content Inventory)
- Site Structure
- Structure listing or summary
- Architectural graphical views (blueprints)
- Global and local navigation schemes (with and optional Appendix C: Site Structure Listing
Information Architecture may well be viewed as an umbrella phrase, given its close resemblance to Information Technology, and all the catch-phrases IT conjures up.
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Information_architecture" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_architecture, used under the GNU Free Documentation License
