An information architect is responsible for organizing and labeling browser-based information so that visitors can find what they are looking for quickly. Their key roles include defining navigation techniques, coordinating usability studies, and maintaining the architectural integrity of a website. While information architecture is important for ensuring usability and return visitors, the work of information architects is often invisible when done well. Effective information architects set goals, define audiences and their needs, and organize content through defining, arranging, and labeling information on a site.

1. The Role of the Information
Architect in the Web Development
Process
Eric L. Reiss
21 November 2000
Copenhagen Business School

2. Why this is a terrible title
• no one knows what an IA is or does
• no one much cares (yet)
Information Architecture – the secret to
fame and fortune in the digital world

3. Why am I telling you all this?
• because your institute combines
IT and English
• technology and language are inseparable
issues
• one way or another you will have to
know about it
• incredible career opportunities

4. What is an “information architect”?
“Responsible for the arrangement and
labeling of browser-based information so
visitors finds what they are looking for
quickly and with the least possible effort.”

5. And also:
• define navigational techniques
• coordinate usability studies
• maintain the architectural integrity
–placement of new information
–updating indexes, etc..

6. Why is this position so important?
• you cannot just let sites grow organically
• confused users will not come back
–all sites have products and customers
–(information is also a product)

7. Why is it usually ignored?
• it isn’t terribly visible
• the better we do our work,
the more invisible it is!

8. What are the specific tasks involved?
• set site goals (owner)
• define target audience
• define audience’s goal(s)

9. Plus core responsibilities:
• define content
• arrange content
• label content

10. What are the “official” skills?
Knowledge of:
• cataloging and indexing techniques
• database design
• basic programming languages
(HTML, XML)

11. The skills you really need:
• Curiosity
• Cultural literacy
• Good communication skills
(written and verbal)

12. The web process
• Allocate (find the funds, time, and people)
• Analyse (do your research)
• Architect (build your sitemap)
• Apply (bring in the visual designers)
• Accumulate (collect/create the content)
• Assemble (get the content into the CMS)
• Adjust (test, test, test)
Note: this process is both linear and circular

13. Thank you!