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The Role of the Information
Architect in the Web Development
Process
Eric L. Reiss
21 November 2000
Copenhagen Business School
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
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
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.”
And also:
• define navigational techniques
• coordinate usability studies
• maintain the architectural integrity
–placement of new information
–updating indexes, etc..
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)
Why is it usually ignored?
• it isn’t terribly visible
• the better we do our work,
the more invisible it is!
What are the specific tasks involved?
• set site goals (owner)
• define target audience
• define audience’s goal(s)
Plus core responsibilities:
• define content
• arrange content
• label content
What are the “official” skills?
Knowledge of:
• cataloging and indexing techniques
• database design
• basic programming languages
(HTML, XML)
The skills you really need:
• Curiosity
• Cultural literacy
• Good communication skills
(written and verbal)
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
Thank you!
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