What is Information Architecture? What do Information Architects do?
“Today, most information isn’t presented in the detailed form of a map to direct and guide us to new lands where we can find a wealth (or a wealth of information). Rather, it’s fired at us like buckshot, with the hope that some might hit a target. In response, a group of people is emerging that feels like a life force-an undeniable drive-to make life understandable. They feel compelled to create a new world map with this barrage of data. They are information architects.” (Richard Saul Wurman, Information Anxiety 2, 2001, Que Publishing, Indianapolis) Richard Saul Wurman coined the term “information architecture” back in 1975. In Information Anxiety 2, Wurman writes: “When I came up with the concept and the name information architecture in 1975, I thought everybody would join in and call themselves information architects. But nobody did – until now. Suddenly it’s become a ubiquitous term. Of course, as is the case with any ubiquitous label, there are some information architects who legi
