Anatomy of IA Search Browse “Invisibles” Interface Query Language Index & Algorithms Results (Zones) Browse Taxonomies & Hierarchies Global (site-wide) & Local Navigation Links Tables of Contents, Site Maps, Indices Guides, Pathfinders, Wizards, Tasks Content & Contextual Links “Invisibles” Controlled Vocabularies (language use) Thesauri Rule Sets (Canned search results)
Structural Anatomy for IA Headings Embedded Links Metadata (appearance) Chunks of Content Lists Steps Identifiers Navigational Help Logos(?)
Organizing Information… Topic Yellow Pages Layers Task Shop Learn Audience Experts Beginners Metaphor Hybrids
Questions for IA Organization Who is using the site? Purpose (Just in time) Help! What are the goals of the site? Content Where are the key pieces of information? Navigation Wayfinding When is the site used? What’s New? What’s Old? How will the site be used? Search? Browse? Why this site?
Presentation Materials Wireframes User models Scenarios Site Maps (early) Designs Task flows
Presentation Deliverables Paper prototypes Wireframes (templates) Blueprints (Site maps) Controlled vocabularies (label sorts) User scenarios (storyboards) Metadata schemas Metaphors Design palettes Content inventory
Presentation Discussion What kind of site did you build? Informational, Entertainment, Portfolio, Content display, Context with links What resources do you have? Content, Ideas, Circumstance, Customer Who is your user audience? What will the site be used for? What are the goals of the site? What problem does your design solve? Why would someone want to use your site? What’s the ROI for the site?
IA Mechanics Checklist XHTML Validation With Dreamweaver 508 Accessibility compliance With Bobby Working with common browsers Window sizes & resolution Style Sheet(s) Verification All links work Page names & TITLEs
IA Design Checklist Navigation Labels Navigation Stress Test Simplicity & Functionality Labels File & directory names Link names, headings & keywords