[Sigia-l] what are the first principles?

[Clshafer.com]

<snip>
So I'll ask the list - what are the 'first principles' of IA? What 
are the
basics that should go into the FAQ, or the reference, or whatever? 
I don't
expect everyone to agree that a particular point is "one of the basics" 
-
but I'm interested in what people think *are* the basics.
</snip>

Here's how I usually explain it.

"Information Architecture translates business goals and requirements 
into a core user experience which serves as the foundation for subsequent 
visual design and user interaction. It answers intellectual questions 
like 'how is this organized, what must happen, and in what order.
It is not primarily engaged in emotional questions like What does 
it feel like'.

The specific deliverables we do and the form they take will vary 
based on the design problem to be solved.

Chris Shafer
Sr. Information Architect
Modem Media
cshafer at modemmedia.com