[Sigia-l] IA and medium

[Dave Parker]

Christina asked:


> Do you think IA is medium specific?

Robert responded:

> IA concepts are equally applicable to Museum "Patron
> Experience" and architectural "Wayfinding" as well.

I agree with that, and it's a question I have been asking myself--if
Information Architecture can be applied to other, non-electronic media.
Museum exhibits and signage systems use principles of IA, to be sure, but
they are part of the more general "Exhibit Design" (usually practiced by
graphic designers or architects) and "Environmental Design."

Reading other responses to Christina's question, I was sorry to see the
conversation degenerate into yet another comparison of IA and LIS. I would
like to see the topic broadened and the question asked: How is IA like
exhibit design? or How is IA like Environmental Design? Can IA skills be put
to good use in these fields? Can IA's sell themselves just as well to
exhibit shops and museums?

As a literal answer to Christina's question, I think IA is specific to the
medium of the Web, simply because the people who call themselves IA's work
mainly in the Web.

- Dave P.