Web Content Development

1. Web Content Development Dr. Komlodi Class 2: Defining & Practicing IA

2. Agenda • Reading Quiz: • Problems? • Grading by the end of this week • IA Chapter 3, DMMT Ch2 due next class • Information architect exercise • Defining & practicing IA • Process of IA and the roles of an IA (term project deliverables)

3. Review • What is information architecture? • What is NOT information architecture?

4. Who Does What on A Site • Information Architect • Conceptualizes purpose and strategy supported by research; • Plans and develops information architecture; • Gathers, writes, edits content in response to the information needs of users, as well as the mission and culture of the site’s sponsor(s). • Graphics Designer • Creates the user interface, the site’s “look and feel”; develops site’s graphics. • Programmer/Engineer • Builds the site’s functionality, code base, environment, etc.

5. IA Exercise SummaryExperience • Must be fluent in the principles of Web usability (project administration, site analysis, user surveys, audience profiles, test planning, recruitment, test implementation, analysis, and reporting), information architecture, and graphical user-interface design principles to provide Web usability expertise to clients and team. • Familiar with basic web technologies such as HTML, CSS, XML, XHTML, ASP, PHP and .NET suite of solutions – and how these technologies are used to build web sites and applications. • Familiar with Content Management Systems (CMS) and dynamic web applications. • Familiarity with e-mail marketing and direct mail, preferably with experience managing usability as it relates to conversion and personalization of content for customer segments.

6. IA Exercise SummaryExperience • 5+ years of experience designing information architecture for a high traffic, media-focused multi-platform firm. • Background in cognitive psychology, library & information science, or graphic design • Excellent problem-solving skills. • A solid understanding of User Centered Design principles • Understanding of programming technologies, specifically capabilities and limitations. • Understanding of content management systems. • Familiarity with user research methodologies and web analytics. • Deep understanding of user behavior and information retrieval. • Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines with complex requirements. • Experience working with technical and design teams and an understanding of their workflow and processes. • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Precise organization skills. • Meticulous attention to detail. • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with inter-disciplinary teams in deadline situations

7. IA Exercise Summary - Tasks • Participate in all phases of scoping, architecting, and design • Define the user model and user interface for new Barnes & Noble products and features • Partner with business owners and the project team to define an experience that meets business and user goals • Translate specific use cases and business rules into a recommended approach • Develop high-level and/or detailed user scenarios, wireframes, and prototypes to effectively communicate design ideas • Consult with technical leads to determine feasibility of the recommended approach • Produce the detailed functional specifications required to implement design • Gauge the usability of new and existing features, and make constructive and reasonable suggestions for change • Work with designers and engineers to realize the blueprint • Support the QA team through integration and end-to-end testing • Monitor user feedback, site data and customer service inquiries to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.

8. IA Exercise Summary • $90,000 - 140,000 • $100,000 - 120,000 • $45,000 - 55,000 (entry level) • $65,000 - 90,000 • $100,000 - 120,000 • $90,000 - 94,999

9. The Role of IA in Websites • IA defines most of what you see on a website: the content, organization, and navigation of the information on the site • Jared Spool: Users could find target pages in site 42% of the time • If IA is not done right, your website will be a failure

10. Information Architects • Innies and outies • Training for IA-s? • Graphic design and information design • Information and library science • Journalism and writing • Usability engineering • Marketing • Computer science

11. Why Focus on Web Content and Information Architecture? • Cost Efficiency • Finding information • Not finding information • Value of education • Construction • Maintenance • Training • Value of brand • Competitive Advantage • In a bloated WWW, clear thinking and usability stand out

12. The Web Needs Clear Thinking • Search engines are indexing fewer sites • Users are relying on favorite sites, referrals from trusted sources • Sites that last do so because they have a plan reflecting users needs • Everyone can publish, but not everyone should

13. From “Presence” to “Experience” • Early Web: Provide information • Content, navigation, infrequent updates • Focus is on designing a web “presence” • Recent Past: Deliver services & functions • Online registration, pay online, online giving, etc. • Focus is on programming & technical engineering • Present: Build community & experience • Online Learning, SIGs, CMS, BLOGS • Focus is on community and the user “experience”

14. www.archive.org

15. Evolution of a Site Community (End users connect) Interaction (self-service, functions) Information (info., facts, directions, etc.)

20. Process of Information Architecture Term Project Deliverables

21. User-Centered Web Development Life Cycle • Define mission and target user population • Collect user (and sponsor) requirements • Create, evaluate, and modify conceptual design • Create and modify physical design • Perform usability testing • Implement and market website • Evaluate and improve site Lazar, J. (2005) Web usability. Pearson, Addison-Wesley.

22. Information Architecture in theUser-Centered Web Development Life Cycle • Define mission and target user population • Collect user (and sponsor) requirements • Create, evaluate, and modify conceptual design • Create and modify physical design • Perform usability testing • Implement and market website • Evaluate and improve site Lazar, J. (2005) Web usability. Pearson, Addison-Wesley.

23. Information Architecture in theUser-Centered Web Development Life Cycle • Define mission and target user population • Collect user (and sponsor) requirements • Site scope Lazar, J. (2005) Web usability. Pearson, Addison-Wesley.

24. Content, Context, Users Context Content Users Information Architecture for the World Wide Web

25. Goals of the Research • Who are the sponsors/stakeholders of your site (i.e., who's paying and/or responsible for its development)? • What are the sponsor's goals and objectives for the site? How do you know this? • What does this audience need from your site? How do you know this? • Are the needs of your sponsors and users in synch? If not, how will you resolve this potential conflict? If so, how will you take advantage of these shared interests? • How will members of your Web team become familiar with answers to these basic questions?

27. Information Architecture in theUser-Centered Web Development Life Cycle • Define mission and target user population • Collect user (and sponsor) requirements • Create, evaluate, and modify conceptual design: • High-level blueprint • Application flow or script Lazar, J. (2005) Web usability. Pearson, Addison-Wesley.

28. Blueprint

30. Information Architecture in theUser-Centered Web Development Life Cycle • Define mission and target user population • Collect user (and sponsor) requirements • Site scope • Create, evaluate, and modify conceptual design: • High-level blue print • Application flow or script • Create and modify physical design • Wire frame • Detailed content inventory Lazar, J. (2005) Web usability. Pearson, Addison-Wesley.

31. Design Wire Frame Example Student Advising Home Page

32. Content Inventory