UIUX Chapter 8 : Information Architecture In UX Design

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In an effective development project, the main goal or aim of designing a product is not just to design a beautiful product, app or platform that is all fancy but also to design an intuitive user-centric product. In doing so, one must understand the rudiments and skills needed to achieve an intuitive user-centric product.

Apart from skills such as wireframing, user flows, and good prototyping a designer should also have an experience or skill in "Information Architecture".

In this guide, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at information architecture, and its relationship to UIUX design. You’ll be educated on almost everything you need to know to understand the concept of information architecture in detail and its relationship with UIUX Design. Let’s get started.

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Defining Information Architecture – What Is It?

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When it comes to surfing all kinds of information, the human brain requires one thing – " STRUCTURE". Imagine trying to Look for a book in a library that is not alphabetically arranged in sections or reading a novel which does not have its chapters arranged in the correct sequence, maybe without a table of content. Weird right? Information will be misunderstood.

Likewise, in designing a digital product, we need a consistent structure that can be used when surfing for information online. That’s Information Architecture – the art and science of labelling, organising, designing navigational systems and building content in such a way that it’s intuitive to browse and understand on websites, intranet, web, online communities and mobile apps, software, and more.

To narrow it down further, information architecture is the practice of evaluating how you can arrange content to make it understandable. The aim is to arrange content in such a way that users and customers can quickly adapt to how the product works, and figure out everything that they need without making a big effort and enormous time spent.

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Understanding The Role Of Information Architecture In Design

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During the design process of a project, UIUX designers focus on the information architecture first before creating a design approach and developing any further elements. This is because information architecture helps define the skeleton of a project. So every design element from visual elements to interactions, navigation and functionality must be built on strong information architecture.

As a designer whatever you design and you don't pay attention to your information architecture all rolls down to a failure. You must understand information architecture to be able to create an intuitive user-centric product.

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Information Architecture And UX Design – How Do They Relate?

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You may be wondering if there is a difference between Information Architecture and User experience. Well, we're about to find out.

Although, both are concerned with intuitive user experience design, and simple navigation and relate to one another, but they are not the same. You can refer to Information Architecture as a blueprint for a product while Ux design is more like the finished product

Furthermore, Information Architecture is a basic design structure of information that can be turned into sitemaps and wireframes. It’s a high-level hierarchy that is used to organize and figure out the placement of products. When developing a project; websites, apps or saas products, UX designers use Information Architecture to build an outline of how the product will work and look so they can strategies a navigation system.

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Final Words

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We hope you’ve learned a bit more about Information Architecture and UX design, how these two fields are distinct, codependent and related to each other. Information architecture plays a vital role in mapping out the user flow and ensuring that all the functionalities and screens are finished before the design approach. This helps both the stakeholders, dev. Engineers and teams understand the flow of the product.

I believe with this well-written information you show be able to digress and know what Information architecture is all about. Kindly comment if you have any questions.