webdu: Demystifying Information Architecture

Demystifying Information Architecture

There is much confusion and ignorance regarding information architecture (IA) and it's place in web design. Many developers, like their design counterparts, are operating under misconceptions, hearsay and indeed disinformation. Because of this, many feel threatened by some 'usability guy' telling them what to do.

  • Difficulty: Fundamental
  • Prerequisites: No usability or IA experience will be required, but you will need some knowledge of website (or web application) design and development, as well as a desire to learn more about information architecture and user-centred design.
  • Session Track: Safe for Managers

Session Detail

This presentation will introduce IA for websites--with the theory and techniques being equally applicable to intranets and RIAs--and explain the fundamental principles and some simple techniques. The aim is to give the audience a heads-up and point them in the right direction so they can integrate IA into their own work or just better collaborate with those IA and usability folks.

Note: this is not a discussion of database design or platform architecture. That's a totally different type of IA. Sorry.

Presentation

You can see Patrick's presentation on Slide Share.

Speakers

Patrick Kennedy

Patrick is a freelance consultant, specialising in user experience and information architecture. He started in web development in the early 90s, including an early brush with FutureSplash, and worked on both front-end and back-end development for many years before becoming a full-time usability geek. Patrick is a big believer in the twin pillars of sound web design, web-standards development and user-centred design, though that fact tends not to work so well as a topic for dinner party small talk. More...