57084 Information Architecture and Design

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to user-centred information design and architecture principles. These are applied specifically to the development of information products and services that facilitate a variety of communication interactions. Content management and organisation is examined in relation to models for designing and structuring information and communication products. These models are evaluated in terms of their appropriate application to the opportunities and capabilities available for distributing information across a range of print and multimedia. Policies and key issues such as accessibility, ethics, intellectual property, privacy and security, publishing, usability and online teaching and learning are related specifically to implications for accessing, using and sharing knowledge. On a practical level, students develop professional capabilities for translating information architectures into web materials using web authoring and HTML skills. They also develop professional communication and collaboration skills by working in teams to meet collectively negotiated goals.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

1. understand advanced principles in user-centred information design and architecture
2. relate content management and organisation to various models for designing and structuring information and communication products and services
3. assess a range of print and multimedia options in terms of the opportunities and capabilities available for distributing information
4. evaluate policies and key issues affecting the usability of information products in relation to implications for accessing and sharing knowledge
5. demonstrate professional capabilities for translating information architectures into web materials using advanced web authoring and HTML skills.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

Within professional contexts, students gain practical experience and skills in the generation, design, architecture, management and communication of information using print and multimedia formats. Individual and team participation in the architectural processes of user-centred design offers students opportunities to respond in adaptable, flexible and creative ways to contemporary issues, trends, innovations and forces for change in information practice. As a life-long learning strategy, established information professionals gain an understanding of how information can be designed architecturally so that it can be communicated and distributed strategically for use by individuals and groups in culturally diverse communities to facilitate just and equitable accessibility.

Teaching and learning strategies

The learning experiences available in this subject include weekly workshops comprised of lectures, discussion of set readings, visiting speakers and 'hands-on' use of web authoring and image scanning and manipulation software in the computer laboratory. Students work collaboratively on a major project, thus developing project management and team-based skills.

Content

• Advanced principles in user-centred information design and architecture
• Applying information design and architecture skills to the organisation and management of content
• Print and multimedia options in terms of the opportunities and capabilities available for distributing information
• Policies and key issues affecting the usability of information products and implications for the design of print, electronic and web-based products
• Translating information specifications and architectures into print, electronic and web-based products.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Design of a printed information product (individual assessment)

Assessment Item 2: Design journal (individual assessment)

Assessment Item 3: Website interface prototype (team assignment)

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

References

There is no set textbook for this subject. Specific readings will be assigned on a week-by-week basis in class. The reference list below is indicative of the texts we will be using in the course.

Badre, A.N. 2002, Shaping Web usability: interaction design in context, Addison-Wesley, Boston, MA.

Bowker, G.C. & Star, S.L. 1999, Sorting things out: classification and its consequences, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.

Bradford, P. (ed.) 1996, Information architects, Graphis Press Corp., Zurich, Switzerland.

Brown, D.M. 2007, Communicating design: developing Web site documentation for design and planning, Peachpit Press, Berkeley, Calif.

Budd, A. 2009, CSS mastery: advanced Web standards solutions, Peachpit Press, Berkeley, Calif.

Castro, E. 2007, HTML, XHTML & CSS, Peachpit Press, Berkeley, Calif.

Coe, M. (1996). Human factors for technical communicators. New York: Wiley.

Colomb, R.M. 2002, Information spaces: the architecture of cyberspace, Springer, London.

Cooper, A. & Reimann, R. 2003, About face 2.0: the essentials of interaction design, Wiley, Indianapolis.

Dillon, A. 2003, Designing usable electronic text [electronic resource], 2nd edn, Taylor & Francis, New York.

Ding, W. & Lin, X. 2009, Information architecture the design and integration of information spaces [electronic resource], Morgan & Claypool Publishers, San Rafael, Calif.

Dumas, J.S. & Redish, J.C. 1999, A practical guide to usability testing, Intellect, Exeter

Garrett, J.J. 2003, The elements of user experience: user-centered design for the web, American Institute of Graphic Arts, New York

Griffiths, P. 2007, HTML dog: the best-practice guide to XHTML & CSS, New Riders, Berkeley, Calif

Hackos, J.T. & Redish, J.C. 1998, User and task analysis for interface design, Wiley, New York

Harper, S. & Yesilada, Y. 2008, Web accessibility: a foundation for research [electronic resource], Springer, London

Horn, R.E. 1998, Visual language: global communication for the 21st century, MacroVU, Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Information Management Office. Australian Government 2004, Better practice checklist 15: Information Architecture for Websites, viewed 24 January 2011 http://www.finance.gov.au/e-government/better-practice-and-collaboration/better-practice-checklists/docs/BPC15.pdf

Jacobson, R. (ed.) 1999, Information design, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.

Krug, S. 2006, Don't make me think! : a common sense approach to Web usability, 2nd edn, New Riders Publishing, Berkeley, Calif.

Kuniavsky, M. 2003, Observing the user experience: a practitioner's guide to user research, Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, Calif.

Lawrence, D. & Tavakol, S. 2007, Balanced website design: optimising aesthetics, usability and purpose, Springer, London.

Lidwell, W., Holden, K. & Butler, J. 2003, Universal principles of design, Rockport Publishers, Inc, Gloucester, Mass.

Lupton, E. 2004, Thinking with type: a critical guide for designers, writers, editors, & students, Princeton Architectural Press, New York.

Lynch, P.J. & Horton, S. 2008, Web Style Guide [online], Yale University Press, http://www.webstyleguide.com/index.html

Morrogh, E. 2002, Information architecture: an emerging 21st century profession, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Nielsen, J. 2000, Designing Web usability: the practice of simplicity, New Riders, Indianapolis (Ind).

Norman, D.A. 1988, 1990, The design of everyday things, Doubleday, New York.

Phyo, A. 2003, Return on design: smarter web design that works, New Riders, Indianapolis, In.

Redish, J. 2007, Letting go of the words: writing Web content that works, Elsevier/Morgan Kaufmann, Boston

Schriver, K.A. 1997, Dynamics in document design, Wiley Computer Pub., New York.

Shedroff, N. 2001, Experience design 1, Prentice Hall, Hemel Hempstead.

Sklar, J. 2009, Principles of web design, 4th edn, Course Technology, Boston, MA

Tufte, E.R. 1997, Visual explanations: images and quantities, evidence and narrative, Graphics Press, Cheshire, Conn.

——— Tufte, E.R. 1990, Envisioning information, Graphics Press, Cheshire, Conn.

Unger, R. & Chandler, C. 2009, A project guide to UX design for user experience designers in the field or in the making [electronic resource], New Riders, Berkeley, Calif.

W3.org 2009, Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), W3.org, viewed 24 January 2011 <http://www.w3.org/WAI/ >

Walker, S. 2001, Typography and language in everyday life: prescriptions and practices, Longman, New York.

Ware, C. 2004, Information visualization : perception for design, Morgan Kaufman, San Francisco.

Wildbur, P. & Burke, M. 1998, Information graphics: innovative solutions in contemporary design, Thames and Hudson, London

Wurman, R.S. 2001, Informationanxiety2, Que, Indianapolis, Ind.

Zwaga, H.J.G., Boersema, T. & Hoonhout, H.C.M. (eds) 1999, Visual information for everyday use: design and research perspectives [electronic resource], Taylor & Francis, London.

Other resources

Journals
Design Issues
Information Design Journal
Interactions
Technical Communications