Information architecture
Information architecture organises content, labels and relationships so that people can find and understand what they need
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
It applies to sites, products and services with complex information. It includes navigation, taxonomies and search systems. Methods such as card sorting and tree testing make it possible to check whether the structure matches users' mental models.
Variants and linked concepts
- Breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs show a page's position within a hierarchy and let people return to higher levels.
- Footer. The footer gathers supplementary information and useful routes. It should not be the only way to reach essential content.
- Site tree. The site tree represents the hierarchy of content and pages. It should be checked against tasks and navigation needs.
- Navigation paths. Navigation paths should support orientation and access. They are best checked against tasks, not only against the internal organisation chart.