IHS Web by Diego & Projjol1 Usability and Evaluative Methods Assignment: Indiana Historical Society Website - Revise Information Architecture (primary) - Update Web Design (secondary)

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol2 Problem Space Indiana Historical Society Website

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol3 Information Architecture: Problems Too “flat” In an effort to reduce navigation for the user and simplify the search for a specific section, the information is arranged such that there is a lot of breadth and no depth. A plethora of links is provided at the surface level. This actually backfires by causing an information overload for the user. e.g. the main navigation menu has 17 items and the “Quick Links” menu has 24 Navigation Menu “Quick Links” Menu

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol4 Information Architecture: Problems Lack of clarity Information is arranged un-intuitively and often hard to find. e.g. the “Traveling Exhibits” link is within the “Education Resources” section, but the “Exhibits” section makes no mention of it Home > Education Resources Home > Exhibits

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol5 Information Architecture: Problems Circular redundancy Large sections of the web site are either available through multiple paths (occasionally necessary, but usually not) or link back and forth between each other. This redundancy reflects confusion in the information architecture e.g. “Preservation Imaging Department” is not only a major link under both “Collections/Library” as well as “Conservation” but is also described differently in each case Home > Conservation Home > Collections/Library

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol6 Information Architecture: Solutions Too “flat”: Revamped information architecture to increase hierarchy and reduce surface-level overload Lack of clarity: Arranged information more simply and intuitively Circular redundancy: Removed link redundancies except where absolutely necessary

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol7 Web Site Design: Problems Dated / Uninspiring Archaic design / Insipid use of arrangement and colors Unintuitive / Inconsistent Lack of affordances / Different fonts, colors and styles for similar items Inefficient use of screen real-estate

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol8 Web Site Design: Solution - Static Prototypes

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol9 IHS Web RedesignIHS Web Redesign (link) Web Site Design: Solution - Dynamic Prototype Functional links: 1)IHS HomeIHS Home 2)IHS > About IHS > MissionIHS > About IHS > Mission 3)IHS > Visitor Info > Directions / HoursIHS > Visitor Info > Directions / Hours

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol10 Evaluation: Design Testing

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol11 Favorite Users List A user would be able to compile a list of favorite users. When online, he/she would be able to see this list that would also show the conversations these users were participating in at that time. Private Messages The ability to send another user a message visible only to him/her. User Icons While mostly a cosmetic addition, these would help add some individuality. Emotion Icons (or “Emoticons”) Emoticons are now an integral part of text-based chatting. Incorporating them would further expand our work since, in additional to an emotional state or mood, users would be able to portray specific emotions related to a certain message or comment. Evaluation: Further work

IHS Web by Diego & Projjol12 Thank You