10+ Best Articles on Information Architecture
The most useful articles on information architecture from around the web—beginners to advanced—curated by thought leaders and our community. We focus on timeless pieces and update the list whenever we discover new, must-read articles or videos—make sure to bookmark and revisit this page.
Top 5 Information Architecture Articles
At a glance: these are the articles that have been most read, shared, and saved on information architecture by Refind users in 2023 so far.
What is ...?
New to #information architecture? These articles make an excellent introduction.
What is information architecture? Structuring content for maximum value
Information architecture ensures content and data is structured, organized, and categorized in an effective and usable way, thereby maximizing the value of your websites and applications.
«Information architecture is a discipline focused on structuring, organizing, and categorizing content and data in an effective and usable way, largely for websites and applications.»
Complete Beginner's Guide to Information Architecture
Information architecture is an often misunderstood job title. Are they designers? developers? managers? All of the above? In this article we'll discuss what information architecture is, why it's related to usability, and what are the common tools/programs used in information architecture.
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles on information architecture—all under 10 minutes.
Four Tradeoffs When Designing Navigation Menus
Doing information architecture has always meant making tradeoffs — broad vs. deep, nouns vs. verbs — but let’s add some nuance.
Grow your application, not your information architecture
How an OOUX approach can help keep the IA lean and simple while scaling your application.
Information Architecture: Study Guide
Unsure where to start? Use this collection of links to our articles and videos to learn about what information architecture (IA) is, how to run an IA research study, and how to design navigation…
Everyday Information Architecture: Auditing for Structure
To rebuild a system, we must understand it. Enter the structural audit: a review of the site focused solely on its menus, links, flows, and hierarchies. Lisa Maria Martin explains in this excerpt f…
The future of Information Architecture
A speculative look at where Information Architecture might be going, given machine learning and voice interfaces.
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles on information architecture.
Priority Guides: A Content-First Alternative to Wireframes
The sirens’ song of wireframe visuals has been the thorn in the side of many a design project. With potential to undermine user-centricity, reduce team engagement, and limit creativity when it’s mo…
The Difference Between URL Structure and Information Architecture
How is URL structure different from information architecture, and why does the distinction matter? In this Whiteboard Friday, Will Critchlow helps us distinguish between the two disparate topics and shares some guiding questions to ask about each.
Information Architecture Design: A Step-By-Step Guide
Information architecture is a discipline that focuses on organizing information within digital products clearly and logically. It helps…
Towards a New Information Architecture
The Rise and Fall and Rise of a Necessary Discipline
Organizing Mobile
When organizing content and actions on mobile, solid information architecture principles like clear labeling, balanced breadth and depth, and appropriate mental models remain important. But the organization of mobile web experiences must also align with how people use their mobile devices and why; emphasize content over navigation; provide relevant options for exploration and pivoting; maintain clarity and focus; and align with mobile behaviors. In this exclusive excerpt from his new book, Mobil
Publications
We monitor hundreds of publications, blogs, newsletters, and news sources in Information Architecture, including:
UX Collective
Curated stories on user experience, usability, and product design. By @fabriciot and @caioab.
Moz
The most trusted authority in online search with a powerful #SEO toolset proven to improve your brand's position. Whether big or small, we have the solution.
Nielsen Norman Group
User advocates offering evidence-based user experience (UX) research, training, consulting. Jakob Nielsen, Don Norman, Tog, and colleagues.
UX Planet
http://uxplanet.org official twitter account
CIO.com
#CIO from @FoundryIDG provides expert analysis, strategy, and advice for #CIOs, #technology leaders and executives.
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We monitor hundreds of sources on information architecture, including UX Collective, Moz, Nielsen Norman Group, UX Planet, CIO.com, and many more.
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