Information Architecture: Overview

Beginners to Information Architecture can be confused by the very wide spectrum of definitions, options and alternatives. This is an emerging area of information science, so the terms continue to evolve as technology becomes available.

Information architecture (IA) brings content and technical elements of web development together. IA is the art and science of identifying, organizing, and managing information for a particular need. Think of information architecture as a process that ends with a well-designed website or other informational product. Most information architectures following four general steps: research, strategy, design, and implementation.

Information architects play a number of roles. According to Wurman (1996), they identify and organize the patterns in data to make the complex more managable. They also create a structure that allows people to make effective use of information.

For an interesting diagram and information on information architecture, go to the Information Architecture Resources page and examine Jesse James Garrett's Elements of User Experience PDF file and Visual Vocabulary document.

This section of the website contains three elements: definition of information architecture , the information architect profession, and libraries and information users .

Learn More

Definitions of Information Architecture - Peter Morville's article on this topic.

Information Architecture Research - Peter Morville has put together a great article with many links to research

---