Information Architecture
What is Information Architecture?
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Its purpose is to
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Present what the organization has to offer…
In a way that meets the users’ needs and goals
Organize information/tasks in the ways that users think about them
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Both structurally and visually
Use the language that users use
What is Information Architecture?
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Its tasks are to
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Determine audiences and their needs and goals
Determine audience mental models
Develop site organizational structure
Develop suitable labeling for audiences
Develop visual structure (wireframes)
Audiences and Their Needs
University Audience Groups
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Prospective Students
Current Students
Alumni
Faculty
Staff
Parents & Friends
Community
General/Visitors
Media
Portal
Faculty
Current Students
Staff
Alumni
Community
Parents
Media
Visitors
Prospective Students
News
Prospective
Students
Faculty
Staff
Current Students
Media
Parents
Visitors
Community
Alumni
Admissions
Parents
Current Students
Prospective Students
Community
Alumni
Media
Staff
Faculty
Visitors
Mental Models
User Mental Models
• Users have predefined expectations of where things
are
– Organizationally
– Visually
• Even if they are not aware of it
• These often unconscious expectations are called
“mental models”
– They are models of how the world works and of how things are
connected and organized
• They don’t have to be “accurate” or even “rational”
Different Mental Models
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Cats
Dogs
Bears
Mice
Deer
Cows
Lions
Sheep
Pigs
• Domestic Animals
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Cats
Cows
Dogs
Mice
Pigs
Sheep
• Wild Animals
– Bears
– Deer
– Lions
• House Animals
– Cats
– Dogs
– Mice
• Farm Animals
– Cows
– Pigs
– Sheep
• Wild Animals
– Bears
– Deer
– Lions
Mental Models
Mental Models
User Expectations
• Search Box Placement on 20 University Home Pages
Organization
Easy?
• Find the kitty cat
Is This Easy?
• Too many unclear choices
• Too many conflicting messages
• Too many similar choices
– Which one do I want?
Non-exclusive Choices
• Where is room 3035?
• Is this easy?
Mixing Unlike Things
• Which item does not belong?
Organizing – Like with Like
• Topical/Informational
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About Chico State
Academics
Athletics
Admissions
Administration
• Audience
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Prospective Students
Current Students
Alumni
Parents & Friends
Faculty & Staff
• Tasks
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Find Classes
Login to Portal
Check E-mail
View Campus Directory
Labeling
Labeling
• What is Labeling?
– The labels or names that things are given
• Good Labels:
– Use words your audience both understands and expects
– Clearly differentiate between options
– Engender the appropriate emotional response from your audience
• Bad Labels:
– Use words that are inappropriate for the audience
– Use words that are ambiguous or unclear
– Do not engender the appropriate emotional response
Good Labeling?
• For whom?
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Canidae
Felidae
Ursidae
Procyonidae
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Dogs
Cats
Bears
Raccoons
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Doggies
Kitties
Fuzzy Bears
Stripy Raccoons
Clear Label?
Clear Label?
• What is that Web site?
Deliverables
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Site Outline
Visual Site Outline
Wireframes
Content & Navigation Regions Goals & Constraints
Site Outline
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Programs
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Initial Credential Programs
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Multiple Subject Credential
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Program Requirements
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Course Sequence
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FAQ (PDF)
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Application Checklist
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Department of Educ. Application (PDF)
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Intern Information
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Single Subject Credential
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Program Requirements
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Course Sequence
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Application Checklist
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Intern Information
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Integrated Teacher Core
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ITC Junior Year Information
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Ireland Student Teacher Exchange Opportunity
Advanced Programs & Certificates
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MA: Curriculum & Teaching Option
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The Process
»
Download Writing Prompt
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Culminating Activities
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MA/Credential: Educational Leadership Administration Option
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MA: Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners Option
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Library Media Teacher Services Credential
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Admission Requirements
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Library Media Services Course List
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Application (PDF)
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Certificate in Community College Faculty Preparation/Adult Education
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Application (PDF)
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Graduate TESOL Certificate Program
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Required Courses
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Admission Requirements
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Contact Information
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Faculty & Staff
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Projects & Partnerships
University Supervisors/CT
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Education Links
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21 individual faculty pages
Adjunct Instructors and University Supervisors
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20 PDF files
1 Word file
Visual Site Outline
Wireframes
Content & Navigation Region Goals
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Identity
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Goals
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To clearly communicate that this is the CSU, Chico Website
To provide a universal link back to the home page
Common Tasks
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Goals
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Constraints
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To communicate "this place on the page is where you go to 'get stuff done'"
To provide frequent site users with shortcuts to the most common tasks on the site
Space should be limited to prevent uncontrolled growth of this region
Needs to remain clearly focused on the most common tasks of frequent site users
Main Navigation
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Goals
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Constraints
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To provide a highly visible location for the main "get information about" links for the university
Needs to remain clearly focused on the most important and most common informational links
Search
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Goals
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Constraints
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To provide a highly visible location for search functionality
Needs to be placed in a highly visible location
Feature
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Goals
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Constraints
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To
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communicate the story of Chico State in a visual, engaging, and interactive manner
provide a 'big picture' view of Chico State and its people
help build the brand and image of Chico State
reinforce the friendliness of the campus community
Needs to clearly focus on communicating the message we want to communicate
Not all stories will be appropriate for this location; items need to focus on the 'big picture'
There will need to be clear and thoughtful control of the content that goes here
Features should change relatively frequently (1+ times per semester)
Will require ongoing investment to maintain