What is Information Architecture?

Information architecture (IA) is about designing information systems to meet the information needs of users. On the web, information architecture involves the design of navigation, organization, labeling, and search systems.

A more formal definition is provided in the Information Architecture Glossary by Kat Hagedorn:

Information Architecture: The art and science of organizing information to help people effectively fulfill their information needs. Information architecture involves investigation, analysis, design and implementation. Top-down and bottom-up are the two main approaches to developing information architectures; these approaches inform each other and are often developed simultaneously.

There are other definitions, but this is the one put forward by Argus and reflects how many people practice information architecture.

It is important to note that the Argus definition of IA has it's roots in library and information science. For many, the term "librarian" conjures up images of dusty shelves and people telling them to be quiet. But Argus insisted that library and information science had much to offer the world, especially the web. It's not about libraries, Argus said, it's about librarianship--the traditional skills of a librarian have tremendous value outside the traditional environment.

IA has moved beyond these library roots to include elements of information design, interaction design, usability engineering, ethnography, and other fields. And Argus had added many of these elements to their consulting team. Wherever IA was working to define itself, Argus could often be found at or near the leading edge.

Adam Polansky
Adam Greenfield
Benette Datu
Carl Rudorf
Christina Wodtke
Erin Malone
Horacio Salazar
Jenifer Wells
Javier Velasco
Joaquin Marquez Correa