Introduction to
Web Design

Usability

Information
Architecture

Confirm
Accessibility

Accessibility
Exercise

Search Engine
Optimisation

Prepare Web-site Content

Create, Maintain
& Validate a Site

The discipline of Information Architecture

Information Architecture is the organisation and structuring of information within a website – that is designing the content infrastructure of a web site.

This architecture includes all text and conceptual information including files, multimedia and database records. Information organisation requires skill in categorization, XML, content creation and organization, interaction design, and navigation design.

The quantity of information within a site needs to be balanced. That is the information needs to be divided into groups and subgroups which define the sections and pages. These groups of information then need to be edited so they are similar in size, understandable and accessible.

When the information is grouped and balanced clear navigation follows. This provides as much information as possible with the fewest ‘clicks’ by the user ensuring delivery and page flow.
Good Information Architecture therefore dictates good design.

Why it is valuable

When Information architecture is badly designed or non existent, the user is unable to find what information they require. They get lost in a maze of unrelated information, clicking everywhere, following leads that go nowhere. The user ends up frustrated and ‘quits’ the site unlikely to return.

How the strategic intent and information requirements are identified

The strategic intent and information requirements of the site are established at the initial interview with the client. At this first meeting the client informs the web designer of the purposes and goals of the site including what information they want to make available. Subsequently the web architect obtains all the written and/or digital information to be included in the site and becomes acquainted with the business environment to be presented. Technical constraints, because of budget or the user’s technology, need to be considered.

The Information Architect also needs to consider the user’s needs. By interviewing likely users the designer can list what the visitors would like to take with them when they leave the site. The aim is for the user to find the information they require as directly and easily as possible and for the information the client wants conveyed to be presented as clearly as possible.

In this way the architect identifies the strategic intent establishing a foundation for a good site.