What Is Information Architecture? Providing Structure to the Digital World

We live in a digital era and understanding everything that is happening around us should be everyone’s priority before choosing a system on which they want to depend for today knowledge, data, service and production acquisition. This post helps you get started with your quest by, first of all, defining information architecture, and then breaking it down to what is involved. For a student in need of academic writing help, it is as simple as downloading an academic assignment via a writing App or logging onto a custom service platform to place a paper order. In the process, answers to questions like who can write me a thesis paper become easy to find.

However, that is not as far it goes. We are surrounded by information plethora, and everything we do in the 21^st century will always have a strong link with seeking knowledge online, buying a product on web-based retail sites like Amazon or eBay, signing for government services via a web portal or connecting with friends on social networks.

Now, taking note of all these and many others, a little inquisitiveness should get you asking more questions like, who is behind seamless experiences we get on a website, mobile applications or when shopping online? What about security layers that keeps you safe online? Well, there are architectural practices that make all these possible, and in this case, it has everything to do with information experts such as IT project managers, back-end and front-end developers, computer scientists and data analysts. Keep reading to find out more.

Definition of information architecture

With the above prelude at the back of your mind, it is also important to understanding information architecture in definitive terms. Well, different publications may put it differently, but, a basic outlook has everything to do with designing a working and seamless product. Interconnectedness of various components of a complete IT infrastructure, therefore, plays significance.

If, for example, you are asked to design a website,  it is imperative to, first of all, craft a working plan that brings together a host of things such as database, preferred design template, algorithm, programming language, User experience (UX), User interface (UI) and others. With all the above taken care of, the next stage is a carefully planned process and meticulous t decision making. In a nutshell, there is no room for mistakes once you become part of a team working towards developing an information system.

A big team working together

Moreover, it is noteworthy that deployment of an IT infrastructure isn’t something you can realize working alone.  Unless you want things to fall apart midway, you shouldn’t risk such a path. Experts will tell you that it is like building a house. There is someone who comes up with a plan for construction, a plumber, and a mason and roofing specialist.

Now, given that information architecture makes it possible for everyone to access the digital world (Internet of things) via multiple tech gadgets such as smartphones, let’s look at a simple illustration such as developing a shopping App for smartphones.

The following are, therefore, key tasks and responsibilities that would yield forth a working platform/architectural design:

• Designing steps buyers will take from the time they sign into a shopping application such as viewing different products, reading descriptions, adding items to cart to checkout. It is the responsibility of a professional information architect to make sure such a process is not only seamless, fast and convenient, but also gives buyers unmatched user experience.
• Ensuring that the application works efficiently without lags. In this regard, technical aspects of a project are another task involved in designing and deployment of information architecture. Here, you must take into account user experience as well. For example, what sort of database will you find by clicking a button? Is everything in order so that whatever information you seek, it is always in the right place, and at the right time?
• User interface design is another pivotal role undertaken by architects of information.  Think about a website, its navigation buttons, color themes, textual overlay and other elements that would make your visit worthy a good experience. In a nutshell, usability of an IT product is a pivotal aspect of information architecture you can’t afford to ignore.

Key skills for information architects

Thus far, it is clear that becoming a successful information architect is no mean feat. You need proper training on a whole range of things, including how to manage IT projects effectively. The following skills would, therefore, come in handy:

• UX design and wire framing.
• SLQ
• Web development with an emphasis on JavaScript.
• Data Modeling.
• Mapping and analysis of business processes.

Final Words

In summary, information architecture is one of today’s indispensable career fields. Every business that runs its activities needs a working system. Specialties in this area also understand that that without having a proper plan for an agile project you want to execute through scrum. Thesisgeek.com can help you with the planning and mapping.