Anatomy of IA

1
Anatomy of IA

• Search
• Interface
• Query Language
• Index Algorithms
• Results (Zones)
• Browse
• Taxonomies Hierarchies
• Global (site-wide) Local Navigation Links
• Tables of Contents, Site Maps, Indices
• Guides, Pathfinders, Wizards, Tasks
• Content Contextual Links
• Invisibles
• Controlled Vocabularies (language use)
• Thesauri
• Rule Sets (Canned search results)

2
Structural Anatomy for IA

• Headings
• Embedded Links
• Metadata (appearance)
• Chunks of Content
• Lists
• Steps
• Identifiers
• Navigational Help
• Logos(?)

3
Organizing Information

• Topic
• Yellow Pages
• Layers
• Task
• Shop
• Learn
• Audience
• Experts
• Beginners
• Metaphor
• Hybrids

4
Questions for IA Organization

• Who is using the site?
• Purpose
• (Just in time) Help!
• What are the goals of the site?
• Purpose
• Content
• Where are the key pieces of information?
• Navigation
• Wayfinding
• When is the site used?
• Whats New?
• Whats Old?
• How will the site be used?
• Search?
• Browse?
• Why this site?

5
Presentation Materials

• Wireframes
• User models
• Scenarios
• Site Maps
• (early) Designs
• Task flows

6
Presentation Deliverables

• Paper prototypes
• Wireframes (templates)
• Blueprints (Site maps)
• Controlled vocabularies (label sorts)
• User scenarios (storyboards)
• Metadata schemas
• Metaphors
• Design palettes
• Content inventory

7
Presentation Discussion

• What kind of site did you build?
• Informational, Entertainment, Portfolio, Content
  display, Context with links
• What resources do you have?
• Content, Ideas, Circumstance, Customer
• Who is your user audience?
• What will the site be used for?
• What are the goals of the site?
• What problem does your design solve?
• Why would someone want to use your site?
• Whats the ROI for the site?

8
IA Mechanics Checklist

• XHTML Validation
• With Dreamweaver
• 508 Accessibility compliance
• With Dreamweaver
• With Bobby
• Working with common browsers
• Window sizes resolution
• Style Sheet(s)
• Verification
• All links work
• Page names TITLEs

9
IA Design Checklist

• Navigation
• Navigation Stress Test
• Simplicity Functionality
• Labels
• File directory names
• Link names, headings keywords