Information Architecture
Information architecture is our framework for structuring and organizing the information and/or tasks presented in a web site or application, including the navigation methodology and terminology, so that users can accomplish their online goals easily and intuitively. Basically, it involves all of the activities around figuring out what you want your website to do, and then creating a blueprint before you actually build it.
A common problem with site structures is that they simply map to a company's organizational structure. While this may seem like the most logical approach, website users often don't know or think in terms of organizational structure when trying to find information. To avoid this issue, we employ our TerpSys User-Centered Design Methodology during the information discovery and structure phase of your project, as well as analyzing your business goals and objectives. This ensures that we design the architecture for your website around the needs and capabilities of your intended user audience.
Our information architecture phase typically involves these types of activities:
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Site Strategy Discussions
The site strategy session is an important information-gathering phase during the early stages of our web development process and it contributes to increased usability of your new website. During this session, we will meet with key stakeholders from your team who play an important role or have a vested interest in the website's success.
The purpose of the session is to discover and refine your business objectives, take inventory of the business' assets, determine the scope and functional requirements of your web presence, and gain an understanding or your vision for your new website.
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Audience Definition
Defining the user audience is a central element of
TerpSys User-Centered Design Methodology. It helps to inform us of user usage patterns, likes/dislikes, how and users think about your content. To get more familiar with your audience we like to conduct user interviews, and then create persona portraits based on aggregate information. Each persona broadly represents a group of users who typically use your web site. We use personas in order to see the world (and your site) through the eyes of these typical users. They help us to design your site to best meet their needs.
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Develop labeling/navigation/site structures
Understand what information the user will seek when entering the site and to provide them with a simple and intuitive approach to access it is key to a successful website. There are several activities that can help inform this process.
- Content Analysis & Inventory: We review your existing and proposed content to get an idea of the various way it could be organized, based on the user perspective.
- Card sorting: We determine how to best structure your web site or application by asking users to group cards with names of information they feel are similar, then asking them to name those groups.
- Sitemap: We use this visual representation of the site's structure and flow to ensure your web site design addresses users' needs.
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Wireframing
Wireframes are schematics that suggest the layout and placement of the fundamental elements in a web site or web application. They are rendered in grey scale and are not meant to suggest graphic/visual design; e.g. colors, graphics, or fonts. Wireframes are completed before any artwork is developed, and must be approved before we continue onto the visual design phase.
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Usability testing on wireframes
We conduct user testing on audience members by asking them to perform tasks using a paper prototype (wireframe).
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System design specification
We ensure your web site or application is in line with your organization's mission or goals.
