Information Architecture

Term from Web Design industry explained for recruiters

Information Architecture (IA) is about organizing and structuring content on websites and apps to make them easy for users to navigate. Think of it like creating a blueprint for a building - but instead of rooms and hallways, Information Architects plan how information should be arranged and connected. They decide how to organize menus, categories, and content so users can find what they need quickly. This role is important in making websites user-friendly, similar to how a librarian organizes books so people can find them easily. You might also see this referred to as "UX Architecture" or "Content Architecture" in job descriptions.

Examples in Resumes

Created Information Architecture for e-commerce website serving 100,000+ monthly users

Developed IA and user flows for corporate intranet redesign

Led Information Architecture planning and site mapping for healthcare portal

Improved navigation and user experience through revised Information Architecture strategy

Typical job title: "Information Architects"

Also try searching for:

UX Architect Content Strategist User Experience Designer Digital Information Architect UX/UI Designer Content Architect Website Architect

Where to Find Information Architects

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you approach restructuring a large e-commerce website with poor user feedback?

Expected Answer: A senior IA should discuss conducting user research, analyzing current site metrics, creating site maps, planning user testing, and developing a phased implementation strategy while considering business goals and user needs.

Q: How do you measure the success of an information architecture redesign?

Expected Answer: Should mention analyzing user feedback, tracking metrics like reduced bounce rates, improved navigation paths, increased conversion rates, and conducting user testing to validate improvements.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods do you use to organize content for different types of websites?

Expected Answer: Should explain card sorting, tree testing, creating site maps, and how different website types (e-commerce, content sites, etc.) need different organizational approaches.

Q: How do you handle stakeholder disagreements about website navigation structure?

Expected Answer: Should discuss using data to support decisions, conducting user testing to validate approaches, and balancing business requirements with user needs.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is card sorting and why is it useful?

Expected Answer: Should explain that card sorting is a technique where users organize content into categories, helping designers understand how users think about content organization.

Q: How do you create a basic site map?

Expected Answer: Should describe the process of listing all pages, organizing them into categories, and showing relationships between pages in a visual hierarchy.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic site mapping
  • Understanding of user navigation patterns
  • Content organization
  • Basic user research methods

Mid (2-5 years)

  • User testing and research
  • Navigation design
  • Content strategy development
  • Wireframing and prototyping

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex system architecture
  • Team leadership
  • Project strategy
  • Stakeholder management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of user research methods
  • Cannot explain basic navigation concepts
  • No experience with site mapping tools
  • Lack of user-centered thinking
  • No experience with content organization