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Services >> Vancouver Information Architecture
Information Architecture, or IA as it is know in the industry, is an integral part of any Web site or software development project. It is the science of planning the blueprint from which all other aspects of the product spring from. With roots in user experience, usability and library science, it has become a career in itself for many specialists. It is the foundation for any good Web or software specification and is neccessary for illustrating the product to the stakeholders and development team. It's more efficient, and cheaper, to plan and refine a detailed site map and accompanying storyboard/wireframe prototypes, than it is to change after it's been graphically designed or developed.
A good IA ensures:
- The business goals and objectives are at the forefront of the product design.
- The overall user experience is superior and maps to the goals of the product.
- The product is tailored to specific user groups as required.
- The user task flows neccessary are clearly satisfied
- The product navigation and functionality is consistent and adheres to strict standards of usability.
- The nomenclature (names of sections, buttons etc...) is clear and concise.
- The product is specifically matched to the various required presentation layer technologies and data sets.
- The project stakeholders know how the product will look and function before it is built.
- The designers and developers have all the information they need to plan their contribution.
- Document definition schemes are planned and implemented properly for search engines and enterprise knowledge management systems
My IA Process:
As part of any product planning, I first define the target audiences and identify the many different tasks they each need to perform as part of the functional goals of the project. This analysis, called a Task-User Matrix, enables proper choices to be made in the construction of the product blueprint. User task flows are then often documented for the most important functions. An entire Web site or software application's visual information and functionality can then be illustrated and refined with detailed diagraming called Site Maps and Storyboards (also called wireframes). As part of this process, overal user experience can be planned with the creative and development teams and illustrated for complex visual applications. Usability testing can then be performed on the blueprint prototype and refined as needed prior to development. A Content Matrix is also constructed that defines what content and media needs to be gathered, produced and implemented into each product area.
Storyboard/Wireframe Examples:
Visual Site Map Example:
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