Information Architecture
Information Architecture is a study of the organization and presentation of content for interactive systems and web sites.
SYLLABUS:
MAJOR ASSIGNMENT LIST:
| # |
Assignment: |
Due: |
| 1 |
Creative Brief |
Week 3 |
| 2 |
User Scenarios |
Week 4 |
| 3 |
Client Pitch |
Week 5 |
| 4 |
Site Map + Wireframes |
Week 7 |
| 5 |
Client documentation packet + presentation - [MIDTERM] |
Week 10 |
| 6 |
KCC Usability Research Project |
Week 15 |
| 7 |
Two mockups + updated client documentation packet + presentation - [FINAL] |
Week 16 |
CALENDAR:
WEEKLY SCHEDULE + DIGITAL ASSETS:
Click on the top bar for each week to expand or collapse the contents, or you can expand all weeks or collapse all weeks.
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Due: Week 2
- Buy the book: Usability for the Web by Tom Brinck, Darren Gergle, and Scott D. Wood.
- Read the Introduction and Chapter 1.
- Set up your class web page.
- Set up a local folder system where you will work and test your site locally.
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Creative BriefDue: Week 3
- Complete your creative brief and post it on your class web page.
- Read Chapter 2 Pgs. 38-42 on User Scenarios.
- Read Chapter 3 Pgs. 64-72 on User Needs Analysis & Objectives.
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: User ScenariosDue: Week 4
- Complete the full Forrester WSR test on your client site and post your score only (not the word document) on your class web page.
- Write up at least three user scenarios with site interaction episodes.
- Read chapter 2 from Steve Krug's Don't Make Me Think
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Client Pitch PresentationDue: Week 5
- If you haven't done so already, complete the full Forrester WSR test on your client site and post your score only (not the word document) on your class web page.
- Create your own usability checklist.
- Begin working on your client pitch power point presentation.
Lesson:
Assignment: Client Pitch PresentationDue: Week 5
- Finish your client pitch power point presentation.
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Site Maps (2)Due: Week 7
- Begin working on your two site maps: the 1st being a site map of the existing site, and the 2nd being your revised/proposed site map.
- Sketch, sketch, sketch!
- Consider paper prototyping (using paper/index cards to layout your site map).
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Revised Site Maps (2) and Wireframes (Min. 3)Due: Week 8
- Based upon the feedback from the wall critique in class, revise your two site maps: the existing site map and the revised/proposed site map.
- Begin working on your wireframes. You should have a minimum of three. For example, the home page, a sub page template, and one other sub page that may not follow a templated layout, such as a gallery/photo page or a product listing page.
- Sketch, sketch, sketch before you work digitally!
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Client Documentation Packet and PresentationDue: Week 10
- Begin your midterm project by gathering all of your assignments to date and putting all documentation together into one word document.
- Design the layout of your word document - be creative and be consistent. Pay attention to your typesetting.
- Work on three new site interaction episodes - where the users will interact with your new site structure and wireframes and succeed in completing their tasks and acheiving their goals.
- Once you finish the word document, then work on your client presentation document. Consider using your revised site map, wireframes, and new interaction epiosodes as the core content.
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Client Documentation Packet and PresentationDue: Week 10
- Continue working on your midterm project.
Lesson:
Assignment: None
- No homework. Enjoy your Spring Break!
- ----- [ NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK ] -----
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Research Project, Mockups, & updated Client Documentation PacketDue: Week 10
- Begin Data Collection. Start by downloading the spreadsheet and filling out all columns for the sites that you signed up for in class.
- Begin working on your home page redesigns.
Lesson:
Assignment: Research Project, Mockups, & updated Client Documentation PacketDue: Week 10
- Consolidate the data with your partner and correct any conflicts.
- Once all data from all groups are consolidated, we will then total up all columns.
- Continue working on your home page redesigns while working on your research project.
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Research Project, Mockups, & updated Client Documentation PacketDue: Week 10
- Work on your individual task for updating the usability project web site.
- Continue working on your visual mockups (home page redesigns) while working on your research project.
Lesson:
Assignment: Research Project, Mockups, & updated Client Documentation PacketDue: Week 10
- Finish your tasks for the usability project web site. We will launch the site and have a brief discussion about the results this week.
- Continue working on your visual mockups (home page redesigns).
Lesson:
Class examples + related links:
Assignment: Research Project, Mockups, & updated Client Documentation PacketDue: Week 10
- Continue working on your visual mockups (home page redesigns).
- Once you have completed your final designs, place them inside of your Client Documentation Word document and update the site interaction episodes and conclusion. Post the updated CDP file on your class web site.