Information Architecture

What is Information Architecture?• Its purpose is to

1. Present what the organization has to offer… 2. In a way that meets the users’ needs and goals3. Organize information/tasks in the ways that users think about them

• Both structurally and visually

4. Use the language that users use

What is Information Architecture?• Its tasks are to

1. Determine audiences and their needs and goals2. Determine audience mental models 3. Develop site organizational structure4. Develop suitable labeling for audiences 5. Develop visual structure (wireframes)

Audiences and Their Needs

University Audience Groups• Prospective Students• Current Students• Alumni• Faculty• Staff• Parents & Friends• Community• General/Visitors• Media

Portal

Current Students

Faculty

Parents

Prospective Students

Staff

VisitorsMedia

Community

Alumni

News

Prospective Students

Current Students

Visitors Community

Parents

Faculty

Staff

Media

Alumni

Admissions

Prospective Students

Parents

Current Students

Alumni

Staff Faculty Visitors

Media

Community

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• Cats• Dogs• Bears• Mice• Deer• Cows• Lions• Sheep• Pigs

• Domestic Animals

– 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

– About Chico State– Academics– Athletics– Admissions– Administration

• Audience– Prospective Students– Current Students– Alumni– Parents & Friends– Faculty & Staff

• Tasks– 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?

• Canidae• Felidae• Ursidae• Procyonidae

• Dogs• Cats• Bears• Raccoons

• For whom?

• Doggies• Kitties• Fuzzy Bears• Stripy

Raccoons

Clear Label?

Clear Label?• What is that Web site?

Deliverables• Site Outline• Visual Site Outline• Wireframes• Content & Navigation Regions Goals &

Constraints

Site Outline• Programs

– Initial Credential Programs • Multiple Subject Credential

– Program Requirements – Course Sequence – FAQ (PDF) – Application Checklist – Department of Educ. Application (PDF) – Intern Information

• Single Subject Credential – Program Requirements – Course Sequence – Application Checklist – Intern Information

• Integrated Teacher Core – ITC Junior Year Information

• Ireland Student Teacher Exchange Opportunity – Advanced Programs & Certificates

• MA: Curriculum & Teaching Option – The Process

» Download Writing Prompt – Culminating Activities

• MA/Credential: Educational Leadership Administration Option • MA: Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners Option • Library Media Teacher Services Credential

– Admission Requirements – Library Media Services Course List – Application (PDF)

• Certificate in Community College Faculty Preparation/Adult Education – Application (PDF)

• Graduate TESOL Certificate Program – Required Courses – Admission Requirements – Contact Information

• Faculty & Staff – 21 individual faculty pages – Adjunct Instructors and University Supervisors

• Projects & Partnerships • University Supervisors/CT

– 20 PDF files – 1 Word file

• Education Links

Visual Site Outline

Wireframes

Content & Navigation Region Goals • Identity

– Goals • To clearly communicate that this is the CSU, Chico Website • To provide a universal link back to the home page

• Common Tasks– Goals

• 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

– Constraints • 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– Goals

• To provide a highly visible location for the main "get information about" links for the university – Constraints

• Needs to remain clearly focused on the most important and most common informational links

• Search– Goals

• To provide a highly visible location for search functionality – Constraints

• Needs to be placed in a highly visible location

• Feature– Goals

• To communicate the story of Chico State in a visual, engaging, and interactive manner • To provide a 'big picture' view of Chico State and its people • To help build the brand and image of Chico State • To reinforce the friendliness of the campus community

– Constraints • 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