IS30050 Information Architecture: Designing the Web

Academic Year 2024/2025

Why is it that some websites are a pleasure to use while others are simply infuriating? Why is it we can find our way easily around some sites, while others lose us within seconds? Why do some sites appear to cater for their users while others just don’t? The answer to all of these questions involves Information Architecture.

Information architecture is the process of organising and labelling websites. The focus of this module is on the application of user research methods for the design and evaluation of information architectures.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
* Understand the concepts behind Agile design methods
* Recognise the importance of user research methods in the design and evaluation of information architectures and site navigation
* Design and employ card sorting and tree testing to test information architectures and site navigation
* Design appropriate website labelling systems and sitemaps
* Document and use website user personas and customer journey maps
* Understand and create basic website metadata

Indicative Module Content:

* Agile development
* User research
* User requirements
* Understanding and communicating about content
* Labelling
* Card sorting
* Information Architecture patterns
* Search and SEO
* Sitemaps
* Tree testing and navigation



Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

28
Autonomous Student Learning

73
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The assessment will comprise a module-long project. The objective of the project is to apply the skills of analysis, planning, research, design, testing and documentation learned throughout the module in order to produce a documented information architecture and navigation for a fictitious company. The two weekly lectures will give you the background needed to tackle the project. During some of the lectures, you will be required to complete practical online and paper-based exercises, so you need to bring a laptop and a pen to all lectures. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Information Architecture (IS37050)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Creation of personas and customer journey map Week 4 Graded No

20

 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Search Engine Optimisation class test (close book) Week 11 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Information Architecture and Navigation report Week 9 Graded No

60

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

.

Name Role
Mr Andrew Woods Lecturer / Co-Lecturer