The development of Information Architecture (IA) in China

IA Full Name information architecture, Chinese is called "Information architecture".

2003, the domestic academic community began to follow the concept and methods of IA, but also a number of papers. But in general, more valuable practice and experience summarized too little, the composition of the paper is relatively large. It has been dug up in recent years because of the industry's high interest in web design. And, after more than 10 years of development, more and more with UE, UCD, IXD and so on the concept of cross fusion.

The information architecture of the website was written in May 2006, an essay of enlightening nature, which mainly considered the importance of information architecture. The title is too big, said also is not particularly clear, so important for me to think, have no nerve into the "Design Network Things" collection. But has been a lot of colleagues at that time, and even academia tongren attention and feedback.

Compared to other terms, IA's English version is not controversial, but Chinese translation is rather troublesome. I think that the "information structure" is the most authentic and accurate Chinese language, and the current level of awareness is also highest. Some academic journals can see "Information architecture", and in Taiwan there are references to "info structures" and "info structures", such as the traditional Chinese version of the oreilly polar Bear "information architecture for the world Wide Web", which is called the info frame structure. So, if the peers find "suspect" similar terminology, please do not doubt that they say the same thing.

In this area of information architecture, I have recommended two separate books. In addition to the simplified Chinese version of the Web information architecture that was mentioned in the information architecture for the World Wide Web, and the information architecture:blueprints for the "we" B "The splendid blueprint" of the Simplified Chinese version. These two books match well, the former tend to theory and strategy, suitable for managers to learn, the latter tend to practice and design, suitable for practitioners to learn.

I saw many peers in the watercress reflect the "Web information architecture" can not understand, or more esoteric. Strictly speaking, this book covers all aspects of the basic principles and practical application of information architecture, belonging to the all-inclusive type, and positioned as an entry-level level. If it is understood from the literal meaning of several professional books, the information architecture is nothing but a heap of obscure logic and methods, which is beyond the description of the scene, so the key is to inspire the designer's IA consciousness. "IA, if it can be regarded as a subject, is a subject of no marginal discipline," Sue Batley in her IA writings. "That's probably what it means.

The process and methods mentioned in the book, I think only for reference learning and promote the reader to understand. If in the project actual combat suit, most will lose very miserably, this is many only "the book" is from "the Good scholar" is apt to make the mistake. The purpose of the professional book is to broaden our horizons and demonstrate understanding, to teach us how to find clues when we don't have a clue, and how to solve problems when we have a clue. For example, "The elements of User experience", "Jinxiu Blueprint", "Web Information Architecture" three books on the classification of navigation systems have their own views, in fact, because of the author's academic background, the book audience positioning, publishing time and so many aspects, may lead to "summary" of the reunification. But if the reader does not understand carefully, and to pester who is right and wrong, then your book will be sold in vain. So, to put it another way, if there is no basic knowledge to see too many theoretical professional books, do not have the right conclusions not to say, but also very likely to let their own logic chaos. This point of view extended, in fact, other people's reflection summed up, they do not necessarily apply (such as this article). Foreign skill has a mutually exclusive effect on us, unless there is sufficient skill to identify, refine and transform it.

Summary and comparison of the navigation system of "the elements of User experience" "Jinxiu Blueprint" "Web Information Architecture"

Back to the more practical topic, about the terminology I'm reviewing, if you think about it in terms of information architecture. We are faced with a "professional" field that has no system, no organization, no connection, and requires "own" practice to test the truth of "others". We should solve the problem is to be unified, layered and normative. At present, the use of professional terminology in this field is very confusing, such as "user experience, users experience, UE, UX" meaning exactly the same, but the computer does not know, so need "controlled thesaurus" to constrain. Even we need a "web product design Chinese thesaurus" to establish a relationship to deal with high speed change in the field of knowledge, as well as the impact of external technical summary of the argument.

2007 I joined Ogilvy One engaged in information architect function, mainly learn agency company to do IA method. As far as I know, agency has established the IA position very early on, but in fact the deliverables are also relatively simple, not as diverse as the Internet companies require. Relatively speaking, the agency company makes the information structure to go farther than the internet company, I thought this is also why the high standard design request website project generally is the agency company to take orders, but the Internet company can only do research and development outsourcing.

Then to the information architecture of the high-level walk, I think is the business model level of play-oriented. In personal practice, the most easy to implement and useful is "knowledge management" and "personal website". Accumulation of experience can be all aspects, bit by bit, not to say that you have to work for the company, nor does it have to give products to others.

At present, it is hard to see the information architect when traversing all the internet companies in China. Personal view, on the one hand limited to the current environment and conditions, on the other hand the shortage of professional talent. I think the Chinese internet companies, as well as China's Internet product design, will be able to reach the heights we want only after the commercial companies have begun to pay serious attention and the professional field continues to develop healthily.

Finally, for the Web information architecture, I am also a practice recruit. That's not cool. Self-deprecating, in the world, the information architecture is also a very new integrated discipline, perhaps because of its cross-cutting characteristics, and considerable prospects (published in 2008, this is called "Information architecture--21 century Professional"). Especially in the field of Internet technology, practitioners all over the world are exploring, everyone is on the same starting line.