IMD200 Information Architecture

Studio Day – Continue working on your wireframes.

1. Finish site map presentation for “before” and “after.”  Focus on visualizing the information architecture effectively.  Use whatever materials you see fit to dress it how however you want, as long as it looks professional.  This work will be on display for the whole school to see.
2. Start  your wireframe redesign.   Take a screenshot of an internal (tier 2) page on the existing Web site and break it down into a grayscale wireframe in Photoshop.  Then redesign the wireframe in Photoshop through the eyes of your Personas in the same way you approached the site maps.  Prepare to print the screenshot and wireframes out on presentation quality materials, as you will display these with the site map boards.

Studio Day - We will spend the class working on the Card Sorting phase of your final project.  Be sure to bring the appropriate materials if you want to get a head start on the presentation.  Otherwise, you will have to do the exercise using scraps of paper and translate the results to Word so you can replicate the information architecture on the cards outside of class.  If you finish both (before and after) site map presenations before the end of class, then you can move onto the wireframe phase  (see me for details).

Due at the beginning of Week 8 class:

1. Read Chapter 7
2. Submit your finished Personas and Scenarios
3. Purchase materials for your Card Sorting project and bring them to class:
   • Poster boards – Get two (2) poster boards, one for the “before” site map and one for the “after” site map, that are big enough to fit all of your cards.  You could buy the boards first, then but cards to fit, or you could buy the cards first, then buy a board big enough to fit them.  The purpose of these boards is to professional present your site maps, which we will probably mount in the hallway for the rest of the school to see.  I am open to different materials and colors as long as you present it professionally.
   • Notecards – You could take a traditional approach with 3″x5″ notecards and write the text on the blank (no lines) side, but keep in mind you have to mount these cards (representing the before and after site maps) on a poster board.  So, if you think you will run out of room, buy smaller cards, like name cards for a place setting at a wedding.  You can get small cards at a stationary store.
   • Office Supplies – Bring the appropriate scissors, pens, and glue for the above materials.