IA model structures representing, from left to right, the hierarchy model, the sequential model, and a database model.
Organizing and structuring information and content flow
Information Architecture (IA) is often overlooked, or sometimes implemented after the first round of design. If no IA is in place before we embark on the great journey of designing, we’ll have a whole lot of work looming later on, and content flow might go awry.
It is crucial to spend effort on building a solid IA for your product early in the process, that is before we start wire-framing.
The goal of IA is to create a user-friendly system allowing users to easily access and get the information they need. This is especially important for large, complex systems or websites with a lot of content.
IA is a defined structural approach to organizing the flow of your website or app’s content. It gives logic to the user flow.
The three most common used concepts in IA are hierarchical structure, sequential structure, and data-base structure. There are others, such as the matrix and network structures, and tagging structure. For the purpose of exploring the top structures most commonly used in UX, we’ll focus on these three.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is a top-down approach to structure that starts with broad top level categories of information, the parent, that sub-lists more detailed content in subsequent pages that represent the child levels.
The presentational model of a hierarch IA concept is based on a tree. The user starts her/his journey at the top, ie homepage, and then is prompted to click on navigation topics to delve deeper into the content.
The IA hierarchy model based on parent-child content structure.
Hierarchy includes key IA structuring concepts such as:
Navigation
Navigation items group related sub-content into manageable content flows.
A set of links and menus that allows users to use a site or app intuitively and seamlessly. Nav labels need to be stated clearly and easy to understand.
Organization
Grouping related content is the key aspect in a hierarchy model.
The logical grouping of related information helps the user access similar items within a category.
The concept of hierarchy in IA structures content by importance, ie, what is most important, and what is least important.
Sequence
IA based on the concept of sequence structures content in such a way that the user is lead through the content in a step-by-step method.
There is a starting point and and end point. Users start on the first page and click on a button to get to the next, and the next, until the loop is closed. The can move forward and backwards within the loop, but they aren’t able to skip a step.
A sequential IA model is used when the user flow guides the user by a step-by-step approach to reach her/his intended goal, and can finalize that particular journey by a final confirmation.
Sequential IA such as a checkout process on an e-commerce site, a book structure, or a test flow.
A sequence structure features the key IA concept:
Context:
The context of information is important in helping users understand its meaning and relevance. A sequential flow allows users to easily move from action to action to reach a destination, such as a check-out process.
Database
The IA database concept mixes an well-structured collection of information with search methodologies.
An IA database model includes complex groups of data and lets the user search within the groups to identify a match.
In this example, a database concept creates a dynamic experience for students and teachers and their classes giving the user advanced filtering and search capabilities.
A database structure includes a key IA concept:
Searchability:
Users should be able to easily search for and find the information they need. This involves a search function that is tailored to the particulars needs of the system or website.
Why these 3 top IA structures?
Users have a collective memory of how sites work best and given feedback that has been integrated into digital design for some time. These three IA structure models have been tested over time and have proven their effectiveness.
Structure models improve navigation of websites as they add organization. Following a website structure model makes it easier for you as a designer to build in logical cues that orient and direct your users.
Users have expectations for how websites work based on their prior experience using other websites.
Structure models, like these three here, hierarchy, sequence, and database, make sure that your website oro app meet user expectations on a foundational level.
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All illustrations ©Eva Schicker 2023.
