COURSE DESCRIPTION: "Information Architecture and Design Interface principles are essential components in developing websites. This course examines the leading concepts for information and navigation design. A step-by-step process is thoroughly examines. Practical concerns include evaluation of technology needed to create and maintain websites, critical client and/or "end user" hardware/software tools to realize appropriate interface solutions. This course provides a practical understanding of fundamental concepts and methods of value to anyone involved in user-centered design. It also explores the broader issues surrounding usability, knowledge management and strategy."
--New York City College of Technology Course Catalogue
Information architecture is defined as a model for an information space, or certain information that is organized and managed together. Rosenfeld and Morville are authors of a book titled "Information Architecture for the World Wide Web." The authors make reference that information architecture consists of three circles:
- Content may include text, numerical data, images and videos.
- Users are the target audience for the information, with IA including the audience's experience and how audience members look for information.
- Context included goals and resources such as technology, company culture and politics.
Information architecture is defined by the Information Architecture Institute as:
- The structural design of shared information environments.
- The art and science of organizing and labeling web sites, intranets, online communities, and software to support find ability and usability.
- An emerging community of practice focused on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape.
