Information Architecture

The importance of having a well-structured website comes from how information and data is related to each other. The thorough planning and gathering of ideas to form a structured and meaningful arrangement of this data is Information Architecture.

The Information Architecture process builds out the different pieces of related information and program functions. Organizing the different pieces of information in a findable and usable way for an ideal online user experience.

By building user-friendly navigation and arranging the pages logically, your audience will be able to find, use and enjoy your website in its entirety, the way it was meant to, and keep coming back for more.

Every process that goes into Information Architecture helps build the blueprint to a successful website design. DesignRJC incorporates the following Information Architecture processes to help create a solid foundation to ensure nothing in your project goes overlooked.

Website Sitemaps

Sitemapping is an effective tool we use in building that solid foundation. With a sitemap, we’re able to section off pages to your website and answer many common questions such as: How many sections or pages will the website have? What will these pages or sections be called? And how will users get to them and back?

DesignRJC uses sitemaps to answer these questions and more. The results of a sitemap are organized flowcharts and diagrams at our disposal that become blueprints for your final site. A sitemap will greatly enhance your website’s Information Architecture as it provides a holistic view, a top down approach, of all the necessary components for your website project.

Website Wireframes

Sitemaps are great for laying out the different pieces of your online project but a wireframe is the next step in our creation process. A wireframe will produce a visual skeleton by illustrating the basic layout, navigational concepts and content placement of your web project.

Wireframes are typically produced in low-fidelity using solid black and white colors and shapes, image placeholders and dummy text. Its purpose is a visual representation of your finished site marked with notations to describe important points.

Part of the Information Architecture building process is to help you visualize your web project as it is created. Reviews and changes can be done quickly and swiftly in this part of the planning phase. The wireframe will serve as a visual guide for your final site and it is an important reference in the graphic design process.

Rapid Prototyping

Beyond sitemaps and wireframes, we use rapid prototyping to visually enhance the building and planning process. Think of rapid prototyping as an interactive wireframe that allows you to explore pages, interact with your website and test certain functionalities.

Because rapid prototyping is built based on wireframes, it is also low-fidelity. However, it provides the perfect opportunity for an interactive experience of your website project without all the bells-and-whistles for the purpose of testing.

Changes or corrections are easier to make on a prototype. Time spent on revisions made during prototyping is less than during production. Swiftly and easily making corrections on prototypes can save you time and money during final production.

DesignRJC uses these tools to build out your web project’s Information Architecture geared toward saving you time, money and valuable resources. With sitemapping, wireframing and rapid prototyping, we’re able to eliminate and minimize errors and obstacles during final production.

Let’s work together and let DesignRJC plan your next website design.