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Information Architecture

The information architecture is the structure of information first and the design of the user interface second.

It understands how people use content and how the structure should function to support them.

It also grasps the range of content and functionality and how that needs to be structured.

A Well Thought Out IA Matters

The purpose of your information architecture is to help users understand where they are, what they’ve found, what’s around, and what to expect.

As a result, your information architecture informs the content strategy through identifying word choice as well as informing user interface design and interaction design through playing a role in the wireframing and prototyping processes.

Segmenting The IA

• Organisation Schemes and Structures
  (How you categorise and structure information Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, or Hierarchy)
• Labelling Systems
  (How you represent information)
• Navigation Systems
  (How users browse or move through information)
• Search Systems
  (How users look for information)

By segmenting the AI you can help the user understand the interface.