[Sigia-l] Fwd: Time for communications to take charge of your

[Gene Smith]

>Again, the impression is that information
>architecture is a technical discipline.
>
>It is absolutely not. It is a communications discipline.

Depends, of course, on how broadly you define communications.  The great
thing about IA, in my experience, is that it's not strictly a technical or a
communications discipline.  It's a little of everything.

>  if you want a website that is professional and cohesive,
> and that achieves its core objective, put a communications
> expert in charge.

I come from a communications background and work in a communications
organization, and I've only met a handful communicators that really
understands web sites.  In fact, I find that most communicators, especially
those with a lot of experience in print/TV/ad production, tend to
* focus on the launch of the site and fail to plan for ongoing maintenance
and evolution (the "launch mentality")
* prefer style over substance, and are easily seduced by the latest geegaws
* see the web primarily as a distribution tool for their printed documents
* want a sexy URL for the radio and TV spots, but would rather not fuss with
messy content

The reality, though, is that communicators are practising "lay IA" as much
or more than IT folks.  So there are lots of opportunities for IA evangelism
through groups like IABC and PRSA.  Even if a communications expert is in
charge of a site, they should appreciate the value that professional IA
brings.

Just my $.02.  Regards,

Gene
-------------------------------
gene at atomiq.org
http://www.atomiq.org