SJSU SLIS LIBR287 Updated 01/21/2005

IA Information Architecture
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Define Understand Analyze Shape Create Value

Shape information so people can find it, navigate it, and use it

In our first three study modules we defined Information Architecture, explored the importance of user-focused IA work, and learned a little about evaluation by analyzing and tested someone else's IA.  Now we turn our attention to how information can be shaped so people can find it, navigate it, and use it.  

Part of the nature of all information is that it has been shaped, given form, or been organized in some way or another, and presumably to achieve some vision, mission, goal, or objective (VMGO). The nature of information...what makes it information...is that it has been formed.  The role of the IA is to do that forming, and the forming is done "behind the scenes" within the hidden structures of the interface.

We  will learn more about VMGOs, and interpreting them into an architecture, as we work through the project-specific assignments in our IA Workbook.  In this study module, we explore Information Architecture's concern with creating enduring and evolutionary foundations, platforms, and sub structures on which other information shapers (content creators, visual designers, communities of practice, etc.) can "hang" their work....and which work for our users.  

Behind the interface of every architected information s/place there are a variety and perhaps a combination of fundamental "backend" tools that help us organize information.  You learned about these in your core LIS classes.   We will refresh our knowledge about fundamental information organization tools in Part A of this module's assignment while exercising our searching and evaluating skills and working in collaboration to create a comprehensive list of tool types for future students of this course. 

Then, in Part B, we will select and justify a tool for our individual project. 

In Part C, we will begin to explore IA's concern with creating "front-end" graphical representations for these hidden organizational structures by crafting blueprints or prototypes that show how these tools fit into the infrastructure of an IA project, and how our s/place constructors must fit them together.  

Shape Assignments:

  1. Information Organization Tools

Your understanding of the core tools for organizing information is assumed. These core tools include catalogs, thesauri, controlled vocabularies, abstracts, indices, metadata, taxonomies, and ontologies.  Nevertheless, a " refresher" about tool types may be helpful.  So, let's collaborate and make this exercise serve multiple purposes! 

We're going to build a core list of authoritative web-based resources that introduce the generic information organization tool types available to us (or under development) for use by IAs.  This will combine our searching and finding skills, with our evaluation skills, with our architecture and organizational skills, and help sharpen our ability to discuss them with "non LIS-based" professionals with whom we are likely to work.

First, select one of the tool types below (or recommend another tool type for inclusion) and search for a primary and comprehensive web portal into the information flow concerning that tool.  Evaluate the portal and post your recommendations in the Blackboard->Forum->Shape->Tool Types discussion, using a subject line that facilitates message scanning, collaborative collection building,  and subject line searching, for instance: archiving.  Read and comment on other participant's post, and try to achieve consensus about which resource you would have future students use.

  Tools for Organization of Information

  1. Select at least one of organization tool types to use for your IA project.  Make sure the tool is appropriate for your architecture.  Write a brief description of your tool and your reasons for selecting it, perhaps referring to case studies about similar projects, providing links to outstanding demonstration sites, scholarly research, case studies, "how we done it good" articles, or a tutorial.  Explain why this tool will facilitate the data-information-knowledge transfer process for your users, and for your project.  Post in the Blackboard->Forum->Shape->My Tool discussion, using the subject line yourlastname; yourfirstname.  
    Read other student posts and, where appropriate, comment.      

  1. Now that we have reviewed the basic tool set, and perhaps discovered new backend tool options, and we've selected and justified one for our project, its time to begin thinking about how to "fit them in" to our project deliverables.  

    We do this by using front-end visualization tools, such as wire frames, story boards, prototypers, etc.,
    These visualization and "road map" tools help show how your backend, organizational tools underpin your project (this is probably the part of the class you wanted to get to!)  Hyperlinks are provided below to help you get started choosing a deliverable to represent your organizaitonal architecture. 

    Create a simple, preliminary, paper-based prototype (or sketch) of your project's architecture (no styles or graphical flourishes yet, please!)  focus on core infrastructure and components, and information component interactions, not how your finished project will "look." Your paper prototype should show how your organizational tool will facilitate finding, navigation, and knowledge creation for your users....how it "fits" into your puzzle.  Keep in mind that you will be sharing this "paper" representation in digital format. 

    Post your work in the Blackboard->Forum->Shape->Prototypes discussion, using the subject line yourlastname, yourfirstname,  Read and, where appropriate, comment on others' posts. 

Shape Links:

IA Deliverables & Methods

Artifacts

Basics of Paper Prototyping

Low-Fidelity Prototyper (free download)

overviews:

Wireframes and visualization tools

aiwiki on wireframes
 http://www.iawiki.net/WireFrames  

wireframes
http://petervandijck.net/images/layout500.gif

example wireframe http://www.mojofat.com/tutorial/flowdiagram.html

axure wireframing software (free 30 trail) http://www.axure.com/home.aspx?src=ov

"inspiration" a simple wireframe software (free trial) http://www.inspiration.com

Prototyping

 

Basic Methods: Paper Prototyping
http://www.usability.serco.com/trump/methods/basic/prototyping.htm

Users First: Prototyping Web Designs by Jakob Neilsen
http://www.zdnet.com/devhead/stories/articles/0,4413,2190711,00.html 

IBM's Paper Prototyping Technique
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/usability/library/us-paper/

Paper prototyping...why do it?
http://www.uie.com/articles

Topic Maps

The Tao of Topic Maps
http://www.ontopia.net/topicmaps/materials/tao.html

Topic Map Links
http://www.garshol.priv.no/download/tmlinks.html

"Architecting" Information Architecture S/places

Tracking Footprints through an Information Space: 
Leveraging the Document Selections of Expert Problem Solvers http://www.cse.ogi.edu/dot/research/footprints/index.php 

An Architecture for Information in Digital Libraries
http://www.dlib.org/dlib/february97/cnri/02arms1.html

IA Information Architecture
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