[Originally appeared on IAI's mailing list. A couple people suggested I post this here, to IxDA's discussion list, and provide a little more context.] <context type="more"> If you didn't see Jared Spool's keynote at the IA Summit earlier this year, you missed an interesting perspective on "user-centered design". One of my main take-aways was that the key ingredient to a successful design team is not a solid, formal methodology. Instead, it's that the design team shares a common vision and the designers have a set of good tips and tricks to draw from. </context>
Ever since Jared's keynote in Miami, I've been thinking about the tips, tricks, and techniques for information architects. For me, the exercise is about excluding (a) rules of thumb (which generally don't account for context) and (b) techniques pertaining to interface design rather than internal structures (because there are already a lot of UI tips & tricks). I've compiled eight (a good number!) of them. I'm using these as the first "chapter" in my revised Intro to IA class, so if you've got good (or bad or contrary) examples of these techniques, I'd love to see them! Paradox of choice: It is more difficult for users to choose from many options. Context through content: Exemplars can clarify categories. Plain language: Jargon-free language tends to have the longest reach. Multiple front doors: Any page on the site may be a "home" page. Scale and growth: Expect content to grow and create navigation systems that accommodate growth. Multiple wayfinding systems: Give users more than one way of finding information. Abstraction, templating, modularization: Sites are composed of templates and components. Progressive disclosure: Reveal bits of information at a time to create a strong scent. I'm less interested in discussing the merits of Jared's findings. Whether or not you're a strong proponent of formal methodology or not, having a set of design principles (to borrow a term from Leah Buley's talk) seems important in any situation. While these can vary from project to project (accounting for specific contexts), I do have a core "platform" that drives most of my thinking. Looking forward to your thoughts! -- Dan -- Dan Brown, Principal • (301) 801-4850 EightShapes, LLC • eightshapes.com Also at: communicatingdesign.com • greenonions.com -- Dan Brown, Principal • (301) 801-4850 EightShapes, LLC • eightshapes.com Also at: communicatingdesign.com • greenonions.com ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
