- inls490-127 - Information Architecture -
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Module 1 - Introduction to Information Architecture and Usability

In communication, information is transmitted from between and receiver. Both interpret the information they receive and control the information they give. Much information in communication is implicit and not expressed in words. It is 'embedded' in the situation, in which the communication takes place. ('Put that there!' may be a perfectly intelligible statement in a face-to-face meeting, though to an outsider it is completely indefinite.) In communication it is therefore important to make it clear at all times 'what kind of situation' (what kind of context) one is in... Such communication about the situation in which interaction takes place, is called metacommunication. anthrobase dictionary

Readings:

Recommended Readings:

Lecture Notes:

Assignment:

We will discuss this in class on Friday. Please turn in your selected topic and magazine on Friday, or Monday at the latest. There are no duplications of magazines and there are size limits on topics. First come, first assigned.

To see what others are doing, check our Projects page.

1 - Select an oral presentation topic

Select a topic and form a group - no more than 3 and no less than 2 people per group. Topics listed below:

Your presentation should be a powerpoint presentation 15-20 minutes in length, plus questions. Below is a minimum list of areas to be covered:

2 - Deliverables

We will be doing an in-depth site analysis in this class. I would you like to start looking for a site that you might like to analyze in depth. You won't be turning anything in - just start looking for a magazine site that you would like to explore in depth and analyze.

Recommended magazines:

If you don't see something on the list, you can propose an alternative, but there are several restrictions:

The full set of documents will consist of:

  1. Site Mission and Goals
  2. Vision Statement (Client's Vision)
  3. Audience Definition (Demographics)
  4. Competitive Analysis
  5. Site Inventory and Content Map
  6. Personas
  7. User Flow Diagram
  8. Revised Site Structure
  9. Wireframe of the home page (wireframe of a lower page is optional)

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