Design And Documentation
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The document discusses various tools and methods for representing information architecture (IA), including blueprints, wireframes, content mapping, content modeling, controlled vocabularies, design sketches, and web-based prototypes. It provides examples and guidelines for each method. Key tools include blueprints for site maps, wireframes for page layouts, content mapping for organizing content, and controlled vocabularies for standardizing terms. The goal is to effectively communicate the IA to audiences and production teams.
Design And Documentation
- 1. Design and Documentation Information Architecture
- 2. Diagramming an IA Information architects are required to present the product of their work using visual representations. Guidelines: Provide multiple views Develop those views for specific audiences
- 3. Tools for representing an IA Blueprints Wireframes Content mapping inventory Content Modeling Controlled Vocabularies Design sketches Web-based prototypes
- 4. Blueprints Blueprints, a.k.a. “sitemaps”, are diagrams that represent relationships between pages and other content components. They show the organization, navigation and labeling systems.
- 5. Blueprints High-level architecture blueprints are usually created during the top-down information Architecture process. They are most useful for exploring primary organization schemes and approaches. See examples: http://www.elasticspace.com/interaction/liftarchitecture01.pdf http://www.elasticspace.com/interaction/animatearchitecture01.pdf
- 8. Blueprints Detailed Blueprints Detailed blueprints map out the entire map so that the production team can implement your plans. They must present complete information hierarchy from the main page to the destination pages They must show details of the labeling and navigation systems
- 10. Wireframes Wireframes are use to depict how an individual page would look from the architectural perspective. Wireframes force you to consider: Where the navigation system can be located What components should be included Decide how to group content components
- 11. Wireframes Types: Low fidelity wireframes No graphic elements and no real content Medium fidelity wireframes Include several aspects of content, layout and navigation High fidelity wireframes Close approximation to the actual web page Examples: http://bobulate.com/documents/arch_two.pdf http://iawiki.net/uploads/WireFrames/if.com.au.pdf
- 12. Wireframes Guidelines Consistency is key Visio and other standard charting tools support background layers that you can export to your web page Use callouts for providing notes about functionality If more that one person is creating wireframes make sure to establish procedures for developing, sharing, and maintaining common wireframes
- 13. Low Fidelity Wireframe Name of the Site Logo Global Navigation Label Content Area Footer Area
- 14. Medium Fidelity Wireframe Name of the Site Section Tile: Contribute Page Contribute URL Contribute Paper Contribute URL + Short Info Contribute Bibliography Footer Contextual Links Global Navigation LOGO
- 16. Content Mapping Content mapping involves breaking down or combining existing content into chunks that are useful for inclusion in you web site. Content mapping table is used to match chunks of contents with their respective destinations in the web site.
- 17. Content Mapping Content Mapping is the framework used by information designers to combat information overload and turn unstructured information into manageable and re-usable document-like content objects, ready for multiple purposes. Ex - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/guide/contentmap.html
- 18. Content Mapping ID Name Type Content Topics Notes Location 0.0.0 Home Home Page World map, slogan News, slogan, world map image Index.asp 1.1.1 About Category Home Page Over of web site statement, vision, purpose of web site About.asp 1.2.1 Dedication Subcategory About Page Dedication of web site Information on who and why this site was dedicated Dedication.asp 1.1.1 Contribute Category Home Page Contribute content to the web site Option to contribute a URL, article, short essay Contribute.asp 1.2.1 URL Contribution Subcategory Contribute Page Contribute an URL Form to fill out to submit an URL Form URLsubmit.asp 1.2.2 Article Contribution Subcategory Contribute Page Contribute an Article Form to submit a journal article Form Articlesubmit.asp 1.2.3 Essay Contribution Subcategory Contribute Page Contribute an Essay or own information Form to submit an essay or own information Form Essaysubmit.asp 1.1.1 Search Category Home Page Search for information Search options for the web site Form Search.asp 1.2.1 Search Results Subcategory Search Page Search Results Displays search results for entered search criteria Searchresults.asp 1.1.1 Discussion Board Category Home Page Discussion Board Allows users to carrying on a conversation about diversity topics Dicussion Board Application /Discussionboard/ index.asp 1.2.1 Boards Subcategory Dicussion Board View discussions List of all discussions /Discussionboard/ list.asp 1.2.2 Add response or discussion Subcategory Dicussion Board Add response or new discussion Add response or new discussion Form /Discussionboard/ add.asp 1.1.1 Contact Info Category Home Page Contact Information How to contact web site owner / form to request info Form Contact.asp 1.2.1 Faculty Bio Subcategory Contact Info Page Faculty information Faculty information and short bio Faculty.asp
- 19. Content Modeling Content models are micro information architectures targeted to improve access to the most valuable parts of the content.
- 20. Content Modeling A content model specifies: What types of chunks we are working with Relations between these chunks What kind of metadata is used for describing them
- 21. Content Modeling Types of relationships between chunks: Sequencing: Chunks can be placed together in sequence. Co-location: Chunks can be placed in the same document Linking: Chunks can link to other chunks Shared meaning: even if chunks are not explicitly linked they can share semantic characteristics that ensure they are co-located in an ad-hoc manner
- 22. Content Modeling Basics Based on patterns revealed during content inventory and analysis What makes up a content model? Content objects Metadata (attributes and values) Contextual links Applies to many levels of granularity Content objects Individual documents Document collections (e.g., web sites)
- 23. Content Modeling
- 24. Content Modeling across silos
- 25. Content Modeling Condition for using content modeling: The content has an inherent structure that can be teased out and capture as a content model This content model will have value for many users Small volume of content (for manual implementation) or explicit structure (can be automated) You can afford the time, staff, resources and technology required for content modeling.
- 26. Controlled Vocabularies Products to facilitate the development of controlled vocabularies: Metadata matrixes Applications for managing vocabulary terms and relationships
- 27. Controlled Vocabularies A metadata matrix summarizes the different types of vocabularies needed and the level of effort necessary to develop them. It also facilitates discussion about prioritization of vocabularies.
- 28. Controlled Vocabularies Vocabulary Description Examples Maintenance Subject Terms that describe networking Home networking; servers Difficult Product type Types of products that 3Com sells Hubs; Modems Moderate Product name Names of products that 3Com sells PC Digital Webcam Difficult Product brand Brands of product htat 3Com sells HomeConnect; SuperStack Easy
- 29. Controlled Vocabulary Vocabulary Description Examples Maintenance Subject Terms that describe Diversity Diversity, culture, customs Moderate Faculty Faculty responsible for this site Ellision, Dr Ellision Easy Areas List of some areas covered , Greek, Asian, Italian, etc. Moderate Page Titles Short text with keywords Management in Diversity – Cultures,Customs Easy
- 30. Controlled Vocabularies For building vocabularies you will need to choose a database solution to manage terms and term relationships: Thesauri or ontology development tools for sophisticated thesaurus. A word processor, spread sheet, or database for simple vocabularies with only preferred term variants.
- 31. Design Sketches Design sketches are used to put together the work of the three teams involved in the design (Graphic design, technical team, Information architect). It is easier to build “rough design sketches” that can be used for the interaction than to us actual HTML code.
- 32. Web-Based Prototypes These prototypes show how the site will look and function. This is the official end of conceptual design and the beginning of production.
- 33. Architectural Style Guides An Architectural style guide is a document that explains: How the site is organized, Why it is organized that way, How the architecture should be extended as the site grows
- 34. Architecture Style Guide Contents: Documentation of Mission and vision for the site Information about intended audiences Description of the content development policy Blueprints, wireframes and other documentation Guidelines for adding content, extending the organization, labeling, navigation, and indexing systems Graphic design style guide HTML templates
- 35. Point-of-Production Architecture At this point your Information Architecture is implemented. Many implementation decisions would be made. You should balance your client’s requests against sanity of your production team, budget and timeline.