Duration: 2 Days
This course examines web projects in terms of a project life cycle and is especially geared to individuals who will determine content as well as how users will get to that content. This course is beneficial to both the information architects and writers who will create content for web pages, as you will learn how writing for the web is different from writing for any other media and how to create exciting and informative text that enables users to get the most from your site.
What You Will Learn
- Determine what good web design is
- Define information architecture
- Create a user-focused foundation
- Use an orderly process to implement sound information architecture
- Write text that is clear, appealing, and rewarding for users
- Restructure an existing site
- Determine the cost of poor information architecture
Audience
Beginner-level web content creators. Note that this is an introductory class and is not intended for seasoned information architects.
Prerequistes
- Experience and comfort using the Internet
Course Outline
1. Introduction to Information Architecture
- What is Information Architecture?
- An Introduction to Our Case Study
- Definition of Information Architecture
- Goals of Information Architecture
- The Web as a Medium
- Discussion: What do you like about good web sites?
- Discussion: What characteristics do bad web sites have?
- How Do People Process Information?
- The Practice of Information Architecture
- User-Focused Design
2. A Process for Building Good Information Architecture
- Analyze the Scope of Your Project
- How Does the Web Site Fit in with the Goals of the Organization?
- What Are the Goals of the Site?
- Who Are the Site's Users?
- What Are the Available Resources for the Project?
- How Will the Site Change and Grow Over Time?
- Who is Involved in Creating/Changing the Site?
- Are There Other Potential Challenges?
- Gather Information
- Organize Your Information
- Grouping
- Deciding Between Different Grouping Systems
- Sorting Your Groups
- Techniques for Grouping
- Labeling
- Design Successful Navigation
- Navigational Options
- Qualities of Successful Navigation
- Include a Site Map and a Search Interface
- Navigation Focus: Search Systems
- Discussion: Searching Systems
- Navigation Focus: Potential Problems
- Build Prototypes
- Conduct User Testing
- Goals for Usability Tests
- Types of User Tests
- Prepare for Launch, Maintenance & Growth
3. Writing for the Web
- Why Writing for the Web is Different than Writing for Print
- Discussion: Why do people read on the web?
- Adapting to a Different Reading Environment
- Remove Unnecessary "Marketese" or "Happy Content"
- Be Concise
- Make Text Scannable
- Remove Excessive Instructions
- Keeping it Simple
- Good Writing
- Avoid Jargon
- Simplify Wording
- Writing Is Visual
- Microcontent
- Writing Structure
- Reading Out of Order
- Page Layout
- Particular Audiences
- Accessibility
- Elderly, Young, and Low-Literacy Audiences
- Search-Engine Optimization
- Linking
- Wording
- HTML Structure
4. Special Considerations
- Restructuring An Existing Web Site
- Build a Content Inventory Sheet for Your Current Site
- Use the "Wish Listto Identify Unmet Needs
- Determine the Appropriate Groups and Labels for Content
- Build Good Navigation
- Test the Product with Users at Every Stage
- After Launch Provide Support
- Resources on Site Redesign
- The Costs of Poor Information Architecture
- Build a Cost Table
- Think About the Future
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: Documents and Worksheets
Appendix C: Types of Sites and Their Purposes
- Shopping
- Identity
- Learning
- Information
- Community
- Entertainment/Games
Appendix D: Recommended Resources
- Books to Read
- Web Sites to Visit
Course Labs
