Information Architecture Flashcards
the information backbone of the site
Information Architecture
How content is grouped and categorized
Organization Systems
How users browse or move through the content
Navigation Systems
How content is named and represented to users.
Labeling Systems
How users find content via search functions.
Search Systems
Examination of a website to locate and identify existing site content
Content inventory
Evaluation of content usefulness, accuracy, tone of voice, and overall effectiveness
Content audit
Definition of user-centered relationships between content
Information grouping
Definition of a standardized naming convention (controlled vocabulary) to apply to all site content. how information is grouped, classified and labeled within a shared information environment.
Taxonomy development
Definition of useful metadata that can be utilized to generate “Related Link” lists or other navigation components that aid discovery
Descriptive information creation
Navigation components include global navigation, local navigation, utility navigation, breadcrumbs, filters, facets, related links, footers, fat footers, and so on.
Website Navigation
examples of navigation components
1) utility navigation;
2) global navigation;
3) breadcrumb trail;
4) local navigation;
5) related links
6) fat footer.
help users access tools like login, search, language selection, or user settings.
Utility Navigation
This includes the primary navigation menu, often a bar or set of links that guide users to the main sections of the website (e.g., Home, About, Products, Services).
Global Navigation
provide a navigational aid, showing the path users took to arrive at the current page.
Breadcrumb Trail
Specific to the current section
Local Navigation
This area suggests additional content that is relevant to the current page.
Related Links
refers to a larger-than-usual footer at the bottom of the page.
Fat Footer
How much will users rely on this navigation component
Usage Priority
Where should it be placed within the page layout grid (e.g., top, left, right, bottom)
Placement
design patterns best support findability and discoverability — tabs, megamenus, carousels, accordions, and so on
Pattern
set of ideas for any designer to learn and their implementation can greatly improve the aesthetics of a design as well as its functionality and user-friendliness.
Gestalt principles
principle states that people instinctively perceive objects as either being in the foreground or the background
Figure-ground
states that when things appear to be similar to each other, we group them together
Similarity
states that things that are close together appear to be more related than things that are spaced farther apart
Proximity
It states that when objects are located within the same closed region, we perceive them as being grouped together.
Common region
states that elements that are arranged on a line or curve are perceived to be more related than elements not on the line or curve.
Continuity
states that when we look at a complex arrangement of visual elements, we tend to look for a single, recognizable pattern.
Closure
states that whatever stands out visually will capture and hold the viewer’s attention first.
Focal point
is discussed in reference to users with disabilities, but accessibility can benefit all users by making things simpler and more intuitive.
Accessibility
refers to designing digital environments so they can be used by as many people as possible. Adobe defines ID as design “
Inclusive design
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVE DESIGN
- Accessibility is a goal; inclusive design is a way to get there.
- Accessibility is (largely) standardized.
- Accessibility supports users with disabilities; inclusive design focuses on more broad inclusivity (e.g., language, diverse circumstances).
- Accessibility is one of many outcomes of inclusive design.
