Courses/Workshops
Taxonomies
Indexing
Web Site Indexing
Information
Architecture
Translations
Presentations
Articles
Books
The
Accidental Taxonomist
Indexing
Specialties: Web Sites
Hedden Information Management
Information Architecture/Web Site Design
About Information Architecture
Portfolio
Further Reading
What is Information Architecture?
Information architecture is the structural organization of information.
Just as buildings are designed by a team of both architects and interior
designers, web site design also involves the combination of the talents
of information architects and graphic designers.
Web site information architecture involves the planning of the site:
- what information to include on what pages
- how many levels in the hierarchy of pages
- navigational menu design
- what labels to use to name pages, sub-sections, and headings
- how information should be laid on out a page to make it easiest to find and understand
The addition of a hierarchical site map and an alphabetical
site index to a web site are also
components of information architecture. Finally, content editing is part
of information architecture, by organizing the content into appropriate
paragraphs, lists, or sections, and by editing out superfluous information.
Sample Web Sites Created
Heather Hedden designed and created (coded) the following web sites, including writing most of the content, although currently is no longer offering contract small web design services. Additional experience with intranets, unfortunately, can not be shown here.
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 Carlisle Pedestrian/Bike Safety Advisory Committee |
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 Pres Behn - Abstract Oil Paintings |
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 Melanie Piper Indexing |
 The Window Shop Book |
Additional Information Architecture Project Involvement
Heather Hedden was involved in the information architecture of these web-based search products as part of a team, including software developers and user interface programmers. The following examples are excerpts and are not live sites.
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Web Content/Portal Design
Using a web content management tool for e-learning applications, Moodle, Heather Hedden created two course sites, the home page of one of which is shown here.
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Further Reading on Information Architecture
10
questions about IA and information architects
Article by Shel Kimen on Builder.com
Web
Design References: Information Architecture
Information architecture resource links provided by the University of
Minnesota Duluth
Boxes
and Arrows
Online journal dealing with the work of information architects
The
Information Architecture Institute
Professional association of information architects