It's worth taking the time to read a book like this

books:


	• Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web (VOICES) Christina Wodtke New Riders Press, 2002 - 368 pages average customer review:based on 27 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Good Overview of IA

I'm a web developer and have always been fascinated with the interaction of humans and web sites, and this book does an excellent job of explaining the subject in simple terms while addressing more complex issues, as well. I read this book back in 2003 when it was first published and, not being an information architect, was happy to find it spoke to my level of knowledge.

With chapter titles like "First Principles: Some rules of thumb, and some thumbing of the rules" and "Gurus and Rules: In which some people like to boss you around, when we know that's my job," the book entertains as it educates, and leaves you with a comrehensive set of steps & guidelines when designing a site from scratch or improving an existing one. Numerous case studies, screen shots and diagrams also break up the monotony of what could otherwise be a boring subject.

If you're new to IA or are looking to expand your knowledge of architecting user interfaces for the web, this book belongs on your bookshelf.

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insight into a true leader

this volume is an extremely valuable lesson from a true leader in the field. Wodtke provides insight into the thinking behind some of the most-used services on the Internet today.

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Are you just starting yours studies at IA now?

I have to ask you a question - "Are you just starting yours studies at IA now?". If yes, probably this book will help you. It's easy to read, small and fun. A really nice overview about IA and even usability. You could spend a lot of time reading the polar bear book, and I recommend that, but start reading this book is a nice idea too.

Unfortunely, if you have a little more experience on the subject, you won't get such surprising insights like the beginners readers. Christina has writen good things about the creation of personas and scenarios, one entire chapter, and that's all. Sometimes she mixes usability, IA and design in a strange way, losing focus. Even worst is how the book begin and over, very bad, with sad and ingenuous recommendations.

Simplifying... if you looks at a nice overview about IA, you'll enjoy reading this book. Otherwise, search for another book, more consistent, with more focus and better ideas, not only common.

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Good overview/introduction to IA

This book is a pretty quick read and a very good overview/introduction to the field of information architecture and HCI methods in general. Wodtke covers wireframes, content inventories, usability testing, interviewing users, heuristics, metadata, personas/scenarios, human memory, the concept of recall vs. recognition, and many other topics. After having a year of graduate coursework in HCI, I'm not sure I really learned anything new from this book but it was a really good refresher. Moreover, there's a diagramming chapter that is excellent. It included examples of some diagrams that I had never tried before and wasn't familiar with. Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It was fun and easy to read and very useful. For me, it will serve as a nice handy "all-in-one" reference guide.

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It's worth taking the time to read a book like this

This book won't present shocking facts about IA but it puts in writing many things that come in handy when you have to work in this field. The author includes good examples and the book can be read from cover to cover without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, it's worth taking the time out to read a book like this.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

All web sites have an architecture, whether you design one or not-just as every building has an architecture, from the lowly shanty by the railroad track to Chicago¿s tallest skyscraper. Unfortunately, most web sites are shanties, not skyscrapers. Companies that hastily threw up a web site in the dot-com boom days were visited by building inspector Jakob Neilsen, who told them their site should be condemned. But now we are entering a time of rebuilding, and we¿ve got a chance to get it right.

Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web introduces the core concepts of information architecture: organizing web site content so that it can be found, designing web site interaction so that it's pleasant to use, and creating an interface that is easy to understand. This book will help designers, project managers, programmers, and other information architecture practitioners avoid the costly mistakes of the past by teaching the skills of information architecture swiftly and clearly. Use this book and you will pass the usability inspection with flying colors!

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