Today's Topic: Information Architecture I

The best web sites start with careful planning, and avoid the “Winchester Mystery House” style of on-the-fly architecture.

As we’ve discussed, the difference between 741 and 737 is that in the former we talk about how to build pages while in the latter we talk about how to build sites. That’s the focus of this week’s lectures…how to effectively organize and present large amounts of information in a way that’s useful to the intended audience.

Readings on Information Architecture

• Webmonkey’s Information Architecture Tutorial
• Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web (yes, the whole book. you’ve got the holiday break to do it, and this is a very good time to learn the fine art of skimming…)

Information Architecture Schemas

Exact Organizational Schema

• Alphabetical: RIT Web Site Catalog
• Chronological: Most weblogs (like Widgetopia)
• Geographical: Weather Underground
• Numerical: Internet RFC Index

Ambiguous Organizational Schema

• Topical: A List Apart
• Task-Oriented: Cartoon Network
• Audience-Focused: FrontierOnline
• Metaphorical: Neopets

Hybrid Schema

• Ebay uses more than one kind of navigation…how many do you see?