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

[Boniface Lau]

> From: Ted Han
>  
> On 6/26/05, Boniface Lau <boniface_lau at compuserve.com> wrote:
> 
> > In the case of IA, even the IAs themselves cannot come up with a
> > solid definition of the term "Information Architecture". The title
> > "Information Architect" is therefore just a marketing hype.
> 
> I don't think underspecified theories or descriptions are totally
> meaningless. Nobody is quite sure what Cognitive Science is, but i
> would be extremely hesitant to say that the title cognitive
> scientist is just hype.

One does not have to specify to the n-th degree in order to have a
solid definition. For example, to guide their work, scientists use
operational definitions - a form of solid definition. Thus, I wouldn't
say the title "Cognitive Scientist" is a hype as long as the people
holding that title behave like scientists.

In contrast, IAs claim that information is not data but they
themselves treat data as information. Such duplicity is a telltale
sign of hype.


Boniface