[Sigia-l] So, how did you become a [Information Architect|UsabilityEngineer|Interface Designer|etc.]?

[Scott Nelson]

On Jun 25.2005, at 23:23, Ted Han wrote:


> i feel like i've stumbled
> upon IA prior to it being formed as a truely cohesive field
>

I think that this is a common misconception. IA is a cohesive field  
with a broad spectrum.

As an example, would you call "Doctors" a cohesive field? Most would,  
but ask a Neurosurgeon a question about your feet and you're likely  
to referred to a Podiatrist.

This doesn't mean the field isn't cohesive - they're both Doctors -  
but it does indicate specialties.

I'm not suggesting that Information Architecture is as well  
established as being a Doctor, but there is certainly a difference  
between Information Architecture for the web and Information  
Architecture for (an example only) a CD-Rom based learning experience  
or Encyclopedia.

As a simple example, an Interface  I'd suggest for an encyclopedia in  
a kiosk environment would be drastically different than one I'd  
suggest for a a Browser based platform independent encyclopedia.

Remember: Pioneers are the guys with arrows in their backs. This is a  
field that's past that phase, but perhaps still in its turbulent  
adolescence.


> (and thus
> i couldn't have gotten a degree in it if i had wanted to [although i
> suppose i could go get one now])
>

You could, but I'd be selective about who I learned from.

Stew Dean Said:

> I personally feel uncomfortable with the 'usability' word as it's  
> possible to make something very usable but totally useless.
>

This is not, I think, a reflection on "usability" but I understand  
the sentiment.

Too often, however, people can confuse Information Architecture with  
Usability. These two are not necessarily linked, even if many who  
practice the former also profess to practice the latter.

Usability does not inherently involve Information Architecture,  
although Information Architecture (in a WWW context) does imply some  
level of Usability awareness. It is possible to have separate people  
do the jobs.
--
Skot Nelson
skot at penguinstorm.com