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Information Architecture
Section 1: Information Architecture Articles, Tutorials, Resources, and Books
Within the Information Architecture section you'll find helpful annotated links to articles, tutorials, software, tools, and more related to information architecture. You'll also find a listing of recommended books on information architecture.
In the section below, you'll find lots of helpful articles, tutorials, resources, and books on information architecture. See also Section 2: Information Architecture Tools - Software, Templates, and More.
Do you know of some good articles, tutorials, books, tools, or resources related to information architecture? Recommendations are welcome and encouraged!
On this page:
- Articles, Tutorials on Information Architecture Topics
- Information Architecture Sites and Other Resources
- Recommended Books on Information Architecture
Also within Information Architecture:
Articles and Tutorials on Information Architecture Topics
Articles and Tutorials on Information Architecture
- Conceptualize Your Site
By Sarahjane White for CNet Builder.com. Four-part tutorial, article about how to plan your Web site, including basic questions, the planning stages (mission, users, mock-ups, feedback) [Article dated 02/20/2000 by Sarahjane White for Builder.com.] - Information Architecture - A New Opportunity
by Angshuman Das, WebReference.com. Overview and opportunities of the emerging field of information architecture. - Information, Architecture, and Usability
by Peter Morville for WebReview.com. Interesting take on the expertise needed to be a successful Web architect. [Article dated 03/12/1999 by Peter Morville for Web Review.] - Information Architecture Glossary
by Argus and Associates. Glossary of terms for information architecture by the well-respected Argus. [Glossary provided by Argus and Associates, argus-acia.com.] - Information Architecture Guide
by Argus and Associates. Extensive listings of online resources, books, articles. Excellent. - Web Site Architecture 101
Excellent introductory article by Rudy Limeback on how to think about and implement your site architecture. Great insight on planning a logical, user friendly navigational system. Another must-read. [Article dated 12/17/1999 by Rudy Limeback for evolt.org.] - Website Structural Navigation
Scientific study performed by Univ. of Maryland Computer Sciences Dept. for structural navigation (also known as breadcrumb navigation). Abstract, discussion, research, and conclusions available here. Results conclude that they're helpful, and that overall Web site design and navigation must be done well and with care. [Article dated 12/17/1999 by Noah Lazar, Michael Eisenbrey for CMSC434 - Spring 2000, Univ. of Maryland Department of Computer Science.]
Articles, Tutorials on Web Site Mapping, Sitemapping
See also Software, Tools for Web Site Mapping, Sitemapping.
- A Sitemap on Every Page
Usability Report by Peter Van Dijck of poorbuthappy.com for webword.com. - A visual vocabulary for describing information architecture and interaction design
by Jesse James Garrett. Explanations of sitemapping with downloadable shape libraries in EPS format and for Visio, PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign, FreeHand, Illustrator, iGrafx Flowcharter. - Maps of Websites
Examples around the Web of sitemaps and various approaches to sitemap design and software tools for sitemapping. - Site Map Usability
By Jakob Nielsen. Nielsen feels that most site maps fail to convey multiple levels of the site's information architecture, that they're too complex, and overall should be kept simple to understand. [Article dated 01/06/2002 by Jakob Nielsen, useit.com] - Sitemap Design: Alphabetical or Categorical?
This article overviews a study of what works and what doesn't with sitemapping approaches. [Article dated 01/02/1999 by Michael Bernard for Usability News] - Sitemaps: map the user's experience
the true functions of search engines, navigation and sitemaps. [Article dated 01/22/2000 by Peter Van Dijck for evolt.org] - The problem(s) with sitemaps.
What a sitemap should look like, the information it needs to provide and how, stumbling blocks, examples, and links to more information. [Article dated 01/19/2000 by Peter Van Dijck for evolt.org] - Web Site Maps from Dynamic Diagrams
Creating maps from dynamic diagrams, how to show local detail for global navigation, stumbling blocks, and more about sitemapping and navigation. [by Martin Dodge for Mappa Mundi]
Related within Web Site Resources:
Information Architecture Sites and Other Resources
Web Sites Devoted to Information Architecture
See also Weblogs About Usability or IA for many more.
- Argus Center for Information Architecture
Considered one of the best, most authoritative sites and resources related to information architecture. Includes a repository of articles, resources, IA conferences, books, jobs, IA communities, and their newsletter. [Peter Morville, Louis Rosenfeld, argus-acia.com] - Boxes and Arrows
Fantastic Web site devoted to information architecture with an abundance of articles, tips, tutorials, and resources by well-respected experts. Their site states, “Boxes and Arrows is firmly devoted to the practice, innovation, and discussion of graphic design, interaction design and information architecture, large and small. Since 2001, it's been a peer-written journal promoting contributors who want to provoke thinking, push limits, and teach a few things along the way.” - iaslash
A fantastic news site devoted to information architecture. Highly recommended. Their site states, “iaslash is a news site for information architects. Regardless of your field, if you are interested in information organization, usability, user testing, user interface design, and other areas related to the access and use of information in information-use environments, you may find some news and resources of interest here.” - IAwiki
Incredibly helpful wiki (collaborative knowledge base) devoted to information architecture. Includes information about many aspects of information architecture, along with helpful resources.
Weblogs or Weblog Sections on Information Architecture
Often with usability tossed in, too. See also Brainstorms & Raves' listing of weblogs (also by WebsiteTips.com's editor) that includes many weblogs about information architecture, usability, design, standards, and related.
- antenna
by Giant Ant's Nadav Savio, information architect. Interesting weblog covering usability, information architecture, links around the Web. - Dan Brown's Greenonions.com
As Dan describes, this weblog is his “thoughts on information architecture, linguistics, consumer electronics, and Bluegrass.” Terrific tips, insights, and resources on information architecture. - Elegant Hack
Exceptional daily weblog by Christina Wodke, information architect. Filled with links to helpful information, commentary, ideas, more on information architecture, usability, Web design and related. - Jeffrey Veen
Fabulous weblog by Jeffrey Veen, covering information architecture, software, technology, travel, Web design, and cycling. - Jesse James Garrett's Hidden Agenda
Well written, exceptional weblog by Jesse James Garrett, covering information architecture, news of the day, and other topics of interest. - lucdesk
by Lucian Mills. Information design, Web usability, user experience; news and features around the Web. - peterme.com
Weblog by Peter Merholz, covering IA, usability, design, and related. Great commentary, links to related resources, articles, tips, opinion. - xBlog
Part of xPlane's site, an excellent daily weblog covering annotated links to many terrific resources, tutorials, tips, opinions and commentary and more related to usability, information architecture, design, and related.
Other Information Architecture Links Resources
- IA Library - Web Sites and Resources
Authoritative, top-notch annotated resources listed here, updated regularly, too. [Resources by The Information Architecture Institute.] - Information Architecture Resources
Authoritative resources here for online articles and sites, books, publications, more, and related to IA, design, usability, navigation, e-commerce, writing Web content, more. Highly recommended, excellent resource section at Info.Design. [Info.Design] - Information Architecture Resources
Jesse James Garrett's terrific annotated list of links to articles, resources, weblogs, and more, related to information architecture, navigation design, usability. Excellent. [Jesse James Garrett, jjg.net]
Recommended Books on Information Architecture
Read short reviews and find more book recommendations on Web site-related topics in our Recommended Books, Software section!
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