Module 05 · 20 min
Why information architecture matters
Information architecture (IA) is how you organise, classify, and label content so people can find what they need without much effort. If they cannot find it, the rest of the experience fails.
Usability starts with findability
Good IA makes it easy to find a product or service. When finding is easy, the app feels usable. Usability is a vital part of a good user experience.
IA from user needs
Start from what people need, then shape content and classification. Separate conventions (what users already expect) from non-conventions (ideas unique to your product).
- User needs — jobs and expectations from research
- Content — what the app must contain
- Convention — patterns people already know
- Non-convention — new ideas that still need clear placement
- Classification — how items are grouped and named
Example: Bazaar content map
For a shopping app, conventions cover the familiar shopping path. Non-conventions are the extras your research justified.