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Information Architecture (often abbreviated "I.A.") is the practice of structuring information (knowledge or data) for purpose. These are often structured according to their context in user interactions or larger databases. The term is most commonly applied to Web development, but also applies to disciplines outside of a strict Web context, such as programming and technical writing.

In the context of web design (or design for related media) Information Architecture is defined by the Information Architecture Institute as

  1. The structural design of shared information environments.
  2. The art and science of organizing and labeling web sites, intranets, online communities and software to support usability and findability.
  3. An emerging community of practice focused on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape.

An alternate definition of Information Architecture exists within the context of information system design, in which information architecture refers to data modeling and the analysis and design of the information in the system, concentrating on entities and their interdependencies. Data modeling depends on abstraction; the relationships between the pieces of data is of more interest than the particulars of individual records, though cataloging possible values is a common technique. The usability of human-facing systems, and standards compliance of internal ones, are paramount.

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Company - Professional consulting services firm specializing in Internet strategy and information architecture.
Meta Description: [ Orlando, Florida, information design firm ]

Design - Consultancy based in Melbourne, Australia provides usability, user experience design and information architecture services. Features usability resources, articles, presentations and contact information.
Meta Description: [ Information & Design is a usability consultancy based in Melbourne, Australia. Contact us for assistance in planning, designing and evaluating your website or software. ]

Experience Designer - The articles, portfolio, and resume of an information architect and experience designer. Home to the development of Customer Momentum Preservation (CMP), a user-centered design methodology.
Meta Description: [ The articles, portfolio, and resume of an information architect and experience designer. ]

Marketing Surveys - iPerceptions is a leading solution provider for customer retention and web analysis for building profitable relationships with web site users.
Meta Description: [ Captures and measures the perceptions and attitudes of actual web site visitors' online experience within the context of their actual visit. Using forward focused, customer driven decision support, iPerceptions helps companies get inside the hearts and minds of visitors to discover the issues tha... ]

Addwise - Specializes in information architecture and usability evaluations. Our in-depth knowledge of human-computer interaction, information design, and usability engineering enables us to offer our clients usable websites or Intranets.
Meta Description: [ החברה המובילה בישראל בהקמת מערכות אינטרנט לארגונים. ]

Amichi - Chicago based knowledge management and web design firm that specializes in metadata creation and interface design. Offers company profile, description of services and testimonials.
Meta Description: [ Amichi is an Information Architecture and Web Design firm specializing in information architecture, metadata design, interface design, graphic design, web design and content management integration. ]

Argus Center for Information Architecture - Reference for learning about the theory and practice of information architecture.
Meta Description: [ The Argus Center for Information Architecture provides leadership in defining and advancing the evolving discipline of information architecture. ]

ASIS Summit 2000: Presentations - Includes an Information Architecture Glossary, and slides for 12 Information Architecture presentations. April 7-9, 2000, Boston, MA.

B C Bennett - Information architect, interactive designer, graphical user interface (GUI) specialist, multidisciplinary team manager. Resume and portfolio.
Meta Description: [ Resume and Portfolio of a Senior Designer / Information Architect ]

Becoming an Information Architect - Article written by Sacha Cohen, originally published on Monster.com.
Meta Description: [ These tech professionals are the masterminds behind Web site design. But the role can be a hard sell to senior managers. ]

Boxes and Arrows - Journal dedicated to discussing, improving and promoting the work of the information architecture community. Offers current, as well as previous issues and submission information for authors.

Contentology.com - A resource site with information, links and analysis on information design and architecture, usability principles, Web design, content development and Internet news. Produced by contentologist G. A. Buchholz.
Meta Description: [ Authoritative resource for content developers: content journal, knowledge base, toolkits, weblog, conttext, contText.com, published by Contentologist G.A.Buchholz for content managers, content consultants, content experts, content gurus, information architects, usability experts, technical writer... ]

ContextualAnalysis - Information architecture consulting, specializing in content analysis and organization, taxonomy/thesaurus design, website indexing and back-of-book indexes in the humanities.

Dynamic Diagrams - A group of information architects, visual designers, and Web designers. Consultants in information architecture for Web sites.
Meta Description: [ Dynamic Diagrams is a consulting firm offering information architecture and design services for Web sites and interactive products. ]

Elegant Hack - Information Archtitect resources, weblog, and newsletter.
Meta Description: [ Information architecture, usability and interaction design issues, plus the odd thought. ]

EnterFrame - Navneet Nair speaks on topics such as emerging technologies, enterprise applications, UI architecture and visual design. Includes archives.

Enterprise Architecture Forum - A free organization that helps Fortune 500 enterprises learn about Enterprise Architecture from several highly respected individuals in the community.

Enterprise-Architecture - Information about standards, methods and tools for Enterprise Architects, conference agenda and publications of Jaap Schekkerman.
Meta Description: [ Interesting information, links and articles about Enterprise Architecture specific for Enterprise Architects and Strategists ]

500 EServer Technical Communications Library: Information Design - An annotated, rated directory of online resources in information architecture and information design.
Meta Description: [ A directory of resources about information design in the field of technical communication. ]

404 Evolt.org - Various articles on IA and usability. Allows readers to review and comment on articles. Requires free sign-in.
Meta Description: [ A world community for web developers, evolt.org promotes the mutual free exchange of ideas, skills and experiences. ]

Hey Otwell - Andrew Otwell's blog, with links to information architecture, user-centered design, and interaction design resources.

Hey, Hey, IA! - One-stop information resource for information architects.
Meta Description: [ A comprehensive resource site for Information Architects. ]

Hierarchy Science - Principles of the creation of effective management systems: overview, experiences on introduction and development, legitimacy and an error.
Meta Description: [ Definition of an information politics of the company. Its purpose and importance. The basic qualifiers. ]

IAnything Goes - Jeff Lash shows the importance of information architecture in the web development process, and how non-IAs can learn and incorporate information architecture concepts into their work in the converging world of information architecture, user-centered design, web development and business strategy. In Digital Web Magazine.
Meta Description: [ Digital Web Magazine - IAnything Goes ]

iARCHITECT - Information architect contractor portfolio and resume.
Meta Description: [ 100MB Free web hosting services with an AWESOME site creation software included! That is a $100 value! We're giving it away for FREE! Get your free website running now! ]

Iaslash - News forum for information architects.

IAwiki - A wiki dedicated to the topic of Information Architecture

500 IndustrialBricolage | Ben Whalley - Online home for Ben Whalley, Information Architect and User Experience Lead at Radley Yeldar, London.

Industry Leading Information Architecture Consulting - Knowledge transfer services. Specializing in information architecture development for Fortune 1000 companies and federal and state governments.
Meta Description: [ M A Cook Corporation delivers Enterprise Architectures consulting to Fortune 500 and large public sector organizations. ]

Info-architects Mailing List - Central repository for information architecture on the Web. Provides an active forum for issues relating to the theory and praxis of IA. Also offers a range of information consulting services and software products for Web-based content publishing and knowledge management.

InfoArk Information Architecture Consultancy - Using the latest automated software tools, we work with you to categorize, link and filter the content you and your clients need. London-based company.

500 InfoDesign - Dedicated to the growth and improvement of the information and experience industries through the provision of a centralized online resource. Features news, organizations, publications and events.

Information Architecture - Examines IA as a newly developing profession. Features a glossary, techniques, methodology, FAQs and contact information.
Meta Description: [ Improving web ROI though meaningful information architectures, user scenarios, marketing and brand strategies and user/consumer research. ]

Information Architecture Deliverables - A look at various information architecture deliverables.
Meta Description: [ Gdoss.com: Personal Website of Glen Doss ]

Information Architecture for the World Wide Web - Book on how to blend aesthetics and mechanics for web sites and intranets that are easy to navigate and appealing to users, are scalable and simple to maintain. Features sample chapters, errata and reviews. By Louis Rosenfeld and Peter Morville.
Meta Description: [ Want to design distinctive, cohesive web sites that work ? This bestseller teaches you how to blend aesthetics and mechanics for web sites and intranets that are easy to navigate and appealing to your users, scalable and simple to maintain. Most books... ]

Information Retrieval with Human Indexing (article) - This article discusses how information retrieval can be improved cost-effectively through the use of human outlining and indexing.
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Jason Hobbs: Information Architecture - Articles about IA and the WWW. Written from the day-to-day experience of building and living online.

Jjg.net: Information Architecture Resources - Extensive links to Information Architecture resources by Jesse James Garrett.

Klariti Information Architecture - Dublin, Ireland-based IA and documentation specialists. Publishes monthly newsletter, KLARIFIED.

LouisRosenfeld.com - Information architecture consulting services from Louis Rosenfeld, a leading industry expert. Also hosts Bloug, a weblog on information architecture.

Lyn Dunagan's Info Architect Resume - Experienced information architect/usability consultant available for web projects. Experienced information architecture can improve the success of web sites, software, and other information delivery systems.
Meta Description: [ Lyn Dunagan is an experienced information architect / usability consultant available for web projects. Experienced information architecture can improve the success of web sites, software, and other information delivery systems. ]

Mark T's Information Blog - Entries on making information useful. Includes archives.
Meta Description: [ A loose collection of stuff on making information useful: information architecture, writing, information design, user experience and other related issues ]

Pinpoint Logic - Information Design and Usability - A resource with information, links and analysis on information design and architecture, usability principles, user experience design and the latest happenings in these worlds. Produced by Dwayne King.
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Rachel M. Murray Information Designs - Rachel M. Murray Information Design Inc. is an information architecture firm specializing in innovative planning and design for all forms of information - both digital and traditional.
Meta Description: [ Rachel M. Murray User Experience Design specializes in interaction design, information architecture, information and knowledge management, business analysis, usability and related disciplines ]

Resources on Information Design: Models, Processes, and Techniques - Popular resources including a worksheet for preparing an information plan, instructions for setting objectives and planning an evaluation, guidelines for choosing a type of communication product and media, and issues to consider when setting editorial guidelines.
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Resources on the Business and Management of Information Design - Popular resources including worksheets for setting budgets and schedules, tips on starting a successful work team, and an overview of the production and maintenance phases.
Meta Description: [ Resources on business, project, and people management for organizations that develop content for use in the workplace. ]

Salaries and Benefits for Information Architects - Survey results. We're compensated decently, don't put in ridiculous hours, don't have to travel too much... And apparently our employers don't require too much experience.

Semantics by Peter Morville - An irregularly irreverent column about information architecture, strategy and management.
Meta Description: [ Semantics is Peter Morville's column about information architecture and strategy. ]

SIGIA-L Mail Archives - Mailing list archives for the SIGIA-L mailing list, a discussion forum for information architects.

Step Two Designs: Information Design Using Card Sorting - James Robertson explains that card sorting is a very simple method of working with users to come up with a usable information design.
Meta Description: [ Card sorting is a very simple method of working with users to come up with a usable information design. A valuable tool for all information architects. ]

Synapse - Offers domain expertise, a national network of contract lexicographers and indexers and enterprise-class software solutions. Features a taxonomy warehouse, white papers, software demo, services and contact information.

UE Architect - User experience design for web sites. Strategy, information architecture, interaction design, usability. Features services, portfolio, clients, resume and contact information.

Useit.com - Jakob Nielsen's column on Web usability, usability engineering, and his minimalist approach to Web quality, recommended links/books. Also his biography and upcoming talks.
Meta Description: [ Alertbox column, Web usability, usability engineering, and Jakob's minimalist approach to Web design; Jakob's biography. Conferences and training events. ]

VisionCor - Consulting firm that helps companies sustain knowledge management throuhgh the use of information and knowledge architecture.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 - From the World Wide Web Consortium. These guidelines are the closest you can get to official usability standards.

Web Design References: Information Architecture - Comprehensive and well-organized lists of links on the topic of information architecture. The site includes articles by knowledgeable authors, as well as the expected links to major organizations and resources.
Meta Description: [ Web Design References: News and info about web design and development. The site advocates accessibility, usability, web standards and many related topics. ]

404 Webmonkey Radio: Information Designers - Listen to a conversation about the life of information designers. Multiple audio formats available.
Meta Description: [ The Web Developer's Resource ]

404 Why User Testing Is Good (article) - Mike Kuniavsky happily relates everything you ever wanted to know about user testing (but were afraid to ask).

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