[Sigia-l] The fuzzy line btwn IA and Design

[Ashk, Adamya]

>Dan Brown and I have been discussing for some time creating flowchart-type
>screen specs. All elements and their heirachy are noted in a visual
>language, but not in one that dictates layout.

Sounds interesting! I would like to see what you come up with. 

I have noticed this 'dictates layout' aspect of the wireframes so many times
and go out of my way to explain to creative folk that they 'should' take
liberties. 

Finally, I am down to drawing small shaded thumbnails of the screens when I
can and rely on the understanding of the designer. 

On the flip side I have noticed that for the small flows it helps to swap
boxes with these thumbnails and people understand them so much faster. 

>Why do we draw wireframes, or at least, why do we give these to people who
>are (at least theorectically) far better equiped to draw screens than we
>are? We do IA's make wireframes? I know it's easier for some, I know it's
>more fun for some folks, but is it truely the best way to articulate our
>solution in a team in which that is not our responsibility?

Didn't you answer this question your-self by the quote from Joel? We draw
wireframes because it is so much easier to draw a picture of something then
to describe it in 'mind numbing' detail. 

-Adamya

: Adamya Ashk : Sr. Information Architect :adamya.ashk at staples.com :