Information Architect

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What they do: Information architecture deals with the structural design of shared information environments. Specifically, information architects plan the structure, organization, navigation, labeling, and indexing of complex, multi-page websites and intranets to support usability and findability, as well as to accommodate scalability for future growth. Information architecture typically involves needs analysis; identification and organization of content, including indexing and the construction of taxonomies and thesauri; navigational mapping; and creation of prototypes, sitemaps, and wireframes to model the physical layout of the information environment.

Skills: Information architects must be able to assess organizational and user needs, including users’ information seeking behavior, in a variety of information environments. Attention to detail, a strong sense of organization, and good logic and analytic skills lend themselves well to the task of organizing information, which is fundamental to information architecture. The ability to ask appropriate questions and communicate abstract ideas effectively to a range of people, including designers, marketers, and programmers, is also essential. Information architects typically use a variety of software tools, including Visio, Photoshop, Flash, and PowerPoint to construct prototypes and other deliverables. Additionally, they may be expected to understand and/or have previous experience with web technologies, including HTML, XML, Flash, Javascript, relational databases, and general client/server architecture.

Employment: In the 2005 Information Architecture Institute’s Salary Survey, the median salary for information architects fell between $80,000 and $85,000, with salaries ranging from under $20,000 to over $150,000. Web firms like Organic, Razorfish, Studio Archetype, and Agency have information architecture departments operating under various names. Other information architects work as independent consultants or in-house for companies and agencies as varied as Conde Nast Publications, Wells Fargo, and the USDA.


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