Information+Architecture


 * Information Architecture**

The practice of organizing information to aid people in finding the information they need. It is used heavily in the Internet such as database searching, library systems and user interaction. Through labeling and organizing materials, it boosts usability and findability.

The Information Architecture Institution defines two branches of IA, **bottom-up information architecture** and **top-down information architecture**.


 * Bottom-up Information Architecture**: This is the process of creating blocks of information and then creates a contents to allow people to see the blocks of information. This is commonly used in websites with the index page linked to several other pages in the website, for example.


 * Top-down Information Architecture**: This is when the information is carefully planned out and the overall context of content is known. The information is then organized in hierarchical structures and presented. This method requires a lot of planning out and mocking up.

"Information Architecture Glossary." __White Paper__. 21 Jan 2008. 

Johnson, Larry and Annette Lamb. __Information Architecture for the Web__. Eduscapes. 21 Jan 2008. 

By Ka Wing Joanna Poon