Comments on: Where am I? http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/comments/where-am-i?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=where-am-i The Personal Disquiet of Mark Boulton Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:31:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kyle http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/comments/where-am-i#comment-46 Kyle Wed, 11 May 2005 14:10:14 +0000 http://wordpress.markboultondesignhosting.com/2004/09/where-am-i/#comment-46 <p>I certainly like this idea, but it seems to me that such a minimalist style of Information design would hurt the company itself.  Although revenue could still be raised through direct advertising (via Google Adwords or another agency) and through a web site store, valuable “sub-conscience” advertising would be completely crippled without the branding package being visibly noticeable.  Am I incorrect? </p> I certainly like this idea, but it seems to me that such a minimalist style of Information design would hurt the company itself.  Although revenue could still be raised through direct advertising (via Google Adwords or another agency) and through a web site store, valuable “sub-conscience” advertising would be completely crippled without the branding package being visibly noticeable.  Am I incorrect?

]]> By: Mark http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/comments/where-am-i#comment-45 Mark Thu, 09 Sep 2004 19:47:59 +0000 http://wordpress.markboultondesignhosting.com/2004/09/where-am-i/#comment-45 <p>I think it’s a lot less about getting users to know your entire structure and more about giving them the right signposts at the right time. </p> <p> A lot can be learnt from interpretation signage, in say a museum or gallery, where there is a lot of attention given to the flow of visitors. It’s about quick visual cues for iconography, drawing on conventions and standards rather than creativity, to guide people to say the toilets or to the section on rocks. </p> <p> Trying to pre-empt peoples needs in their task, and giving them choices based on that task, is key. Not trying to show them everything at once. </p> <p> The tricky think for Information Architects is trying to balance the users requirements with the business need, which is often the key driver for wanting every option visible. </p> I think it’s a lot less about getting users to know your entire structure and more about giving them the right signposts at the right time.

A lot can be learnt from interpretation signage, in say a museum or gallery, where there is a lot of attention given to the flow of visitors. It’s about quick visual cues for iconography, drawing on conventions and standards rather than creativity, to guide people to say the toilets or to the section on rocks.

Trying to pre-empt peoples needs in their task, and giving them choices based on that task, is key. Not trying to show them everything at once.

The tricky think for Information Architects is trying to balance the users requirements with the business need, which is often the key driver for wanting every option visible.

]]> By: chris http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/comments/where-am-i#comment-44 chris Thu, 09 Sep 2004 00:29:44 +0000 http://wordpress.markboultondesignhosting.com/2004/09/where-am-i/#comment-44 <p>Glad you’ve realised this - I think information architecture can be a bit short sighted. The stated aim is often that a user is able to find everything that they want on your site. Or to put another way, that the user understands and has a clear mental picture of your site. When actually, they don’t really care about your site at all - the stated objective is just a form of vanity and self preoccupation. <br /> But maybe architecture has always been about trying to get the organisation/institution noticed while you’re trying to find the exit. The more lost you are, the more you see of the building. </p> Glad you’ve realised this – I think information architecture can be a bit short sighted. The stated aim is often that a user is able to find everything that they want on your site. Or to put another way, that the user understands and has a clear mental picture of your site. When actually, they don’t really care about your site at all – the stated objective is just a form of vanity and self preoccupation.

But maybe architecture has always been about trying to get the organisation/institution noticed while you’re trying to find the exit. The more lost you are, the more you see of the building.

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