Information Architecture

1. Information Architecture

2. What is Information Architecture? • Its purpose is to • Present what the organization has to offer… • In a way that meets the users’ needs and goals • Organize information/tasks in the ways that users think about them • Both structurally and visually • Use the language that users use

3. What is Information Architecture? • Its tasks are to • Determine audiences and their needs and goals • Determine audience mental models • Develop site organizational structure • Develop suitable labeling for audiences • Develop visual structure (wireframes)

4. Audiences and Their Needs

5. University Audience Groups • Prospective Students • Current Students • Alumni • Faculty • Staff • Parents & Friends • Community • General/Visitors • Media

6. Portal Current Students Faculty Staff Alumni Community Parents Media Prospective Students Visitors

7. News Prospective Students Faculty Current Students Staff Media Alumni Parents Community Visitors

8. Admissions Parents Prospective Students Current Students Community Alumni Media Staff Visitors Faculty

9. Mental Models

10. User Mental Models • Users have predefined expectations of where things are • Organizationally • Visually • Even if they are not aware of it • These often unconscious expectations are called “mental models” • They are models of how the world works and of how things are connected and organized • They don’t have to be “accurate” or even “rational”

11. Cats Dogs Bears Mice Deer Cows Lions Sheep Pigs Different Mental Models • Domestic Animals • Cats • Cows • Dogs • Mice • Pigs • Sheep • Wild Animals • Bears • Deer • Lions • House Animals • Cats • Dogs • Mice • Farm Animals • Cows • Pigs • Sheep • Wild Animals • Bears • Deer • Lions

12. Mental Models

13. Mental Models

14. User Expectations • Search Box Placement on 20 University Home Pages

15. Organization

16. Easy? • Find the kitty cat

17. Is This Easy? • Too many unclear choices • Too many conflicting messages • Too many similar choices • Which one do I want?

18. Non-exclusive Choices • Where is room 3035? • Is this easy?

19. Mixing Unlike Things • Which item does not belong?

20. Organizing – Like with Like • Topical/Informational • About Chico State • Academics • Athletics • Admissions • Administration • Audience • Prospective Students • Current Students • Alumni • Parents & Friends • Faculty & Staff • Tasks • Find Classes • Login to Portal • Check E-mail • View Campus Directory

21. Labeling

22. Labeling • What is Labeling? • The labels or names that things are given • Good Labels: • Use words your audience both understands and expects • Clearly differentiate between options • Engender the appropriate emotional response from your audience • Bad Labels: • Use words that are inappropriate for the audience • Use words that are ambiguous or unclear • Do not engender the appropriate emotional response

23. Canidae Felidae Ursidae Procyonidae Dogs Cats Bears Raccoons Good Labeling? • For whom? • Doggies • Kitties • Fuzzy Bears • Stripy Raccoons

24. Clear Label?

25. Clear Label? • What is that Web site?

26. Deliverables • Site Outline • Visual Site Outline • Wireframes • Content & Navigation Regions Goals & Constraints

27. Site Outline • Programs • Initial Credential Programs • Multiple Subject Credential • Program Requirements • Course Sequence • FAQ (PDF) • Application Checklist • Department of Educ. Application (PDF) • Intern Information • Single Subject Credential • Program Requirements • Course Sequence • Application Checklist • Intern Information • Integrated Teacher Core • ITC Junior Year Information • Ireland Student Teacher Exchange Opportunity • Advanced Programs & Certificates • MA: Curriculum & Teaching Option • The Process • Download Writing Prompt • Culminating Activities • MA/Credential: Educational Leadership Administration Option • MA: Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners Option • Library Media Teacher Services Credential • Admission Requirements • Library Media Services Course List • Application (PDF) • Certificate in Community College Faculty Preparation/Adult Education • Application (PDF) • Graduate TESOL Certificate Program • Required Courses • Admission Requirements • Contact Information • Faculty & Staff • 21 individual faculty pages • Adjunct Instructors and University Supervisors • Projects & Partnerships • University Supervisors/CT • 20 PDF files • 1 Word file • Education Links

28. Visual Site Outline

29. Wireframes

34. Content & Navigation Region Goals • Identity • Goals • To clearly communicate that this is the CSU, Chico Website • To provide a universal link back to the home page • Common Tasks • Goals • To communicate "this place on the page is where you go to 'get stuff done'" • To provide frequent site users with shortcuts to the most common tasks on the site • Constraints • Space should be limited to prevent uncontrolled growth of this region • Needs to remain clearly focused on the most common tasks of frequent site users • Main Navigation • Goals • To provide a highly visible location for the main "get information about" links for the university • Constraints • Needs to remain clearly focused on the most important and most common informational links • Search • Goals • To provide a highly visible location for search functionality • Constraints • Needs to be placed in a highly visible location • Feature • Goals • To communicate the story of Chico State in a visual, engaging, and interactive manner • To provide a 'big picture' view of Chico State and its people • To help build the brand and image of Chico State • To reinforce the friendliness of the campus community • Constraints • Needs to clearly focus on communicating the message we want to communicate • Not all stories will be appropriate for this location; items need to focus on the 'big picture' • There will need to be clear and thoughtful control of the content that goes here • Features should change relatively frequently (1+ times per semester) • Will require ongoing investment to maintain