Information Architecture

The Basics of Information Architecture (IA)

What is Information Architecture?

Information architecture (IA) organizes content to help users understand where they are in a product and where the information they want is located. When users find a product easy to use, it means they can find what they’re looking for quickly and intuitively - and this doesn’t happen by chance, it’s by design.

IA helps organize a site or app like a map, providing clear pathways for users to navigate and find what they need.

Components of Information Architecture

IA is made up of three essential pieces:

1. Organization

How different pieces of information connect in a product. This involves grouping related content together and establishing logical relationships between different sections.

2. Hierarchy

Often called the “tree structure” where larger categories are placed at the top and specific categories related to the overall category are placed underneath. Peer information is placed side by side on the same level.

3. Sequence

Enables users to move through an app via certain orders or steps, creating logical flow paths for completing tasks.

IA Visualization

Rectangle at top: Represents the homepage - the starting point for users

Row of connected rectangles: Different sections of your website or app

Columns underneath: Sub-pages within each section

Why Information Architecture Matters

1. Organizes and Defines Overall Structure

IA provides the foundational framework for how your app or site will be organized. It’s the skeleton that everything else builds upon.

2. Provides High-Level View

As a UX designer, you need to understand how elements of a product fit together and relate to each other in order to create effective designs. IA gives you this bird’s-eye perspective.

3. Helps Stakeholders Review Designs

Stakeholders can evaluate whether the content in the site or app is the correct type of content and if it’s placed in appropriate locations to help achieve business or product goals.

4. Supports Engineering Implementation

Strong IA helps engineers understand how to organize data so the eventual development of the product matches the visual designs you’ve created.

5. Enables Flexible Growth

IA that’s flexible allows your ideas to grow and iterate with the design. You should group information architecture in a way that allows you to add additional categories in the future.

Information Architecture Principles

Understanding these eight basic principles helps UX designers make better decisions about their products:

Object Principle

View your content as “living” and as something that changes and grows over time

Choice Principle

People think they want many choices, but they actually need fewer choices that are well-organized

Disclosure Principle

Information should not be unexpected or unnecessary

Exemplar Principle

Humans put things into categories and group different concepts together

Front Door Principle

The home page doesn’t need to do everything. Users often get to your site through a side entrance

Multiple Classification Principle

People have different ways of searching for information

Focused Navigation Principle

There must be a strategy and logic behind the way navigation menus are designed

Growth Principle

The amount of content in a design will grow over time

Creating Effective Information Architecture

Research Foundation

Your IA should be informed by many sources:

User research: Understanding user goals and behaviors
Market analysis: How existing products in the market are structured
Business objectives: Aligning structure with company goals

User-Centered Approach

Knowing the users, their goals, and their behaviors is key to effective IA. The structure should make sense from the user’s perspective, not just from the business’s internal organization.

Web App vs Mobile App Sitemaps

Web App Structure

Homepage/Starting Point: First entry point for users
Major Categories: High-level sections like Products, Cart, User Account, About
Sub-pages: Detailed pages within each category (Order Summary, Shipping, Payment under Cart)

Mobile App Structure

Fewer categories due to screen size constraints
Common Categories: Homepage, Product Features, User Settings, Pricing, Contact Us, Help
Child Connections: Specific pages under each category (Name, Email, Payment Details under User Profile)

From IA to Wireframes

Once you’ve established your information architecture, you can use it to inform your wireframes. A stronger IA generally means clearer wireframes and a better thought-out product overall.

How IA Supports Wireframing

Clear structure understanding: Know how different screens fit together
Navigation planning: Understand how users move between screens
Content organization: Group related information logically
Hierarchy establishment: Determine what’s most important on each screen

Example: Dog Walking App IA

For a dog walking app, the information structure might include:

Homepage: Entry point with key actions
Schedule Service: Date/time selection, walker availability
Walker Profiles: Individual walker information and booking
User Account: Personal settings, payment methods, booking history
Support: Help articles, contact information

This structure helps you understand the relationships between different parts of the app and plan how users will navigate between them.

Information architecture is the invisible foundation that makes good user experiences possible. Invest time in getting your IA right, and your wireframes and final product will be much stronger as a result.