Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Second Edition

Chapter 13. Education

We get lots of email from people who want to become information architects. A technical writer in Australia states her desire to make an ambitious career change toward information architecture and asks, “What are my chances and what advice do you have for me to increase my skill set?” A library and information science student in Florida explains that he’s committed to becoming an information architect, but notes that clear directions are hard to find.

We also talk with many practicing information architects who are searching for ways to improve their expertise. Some want a broad introduction that covers all the bases, while others need advanced skills in a specific area of practice. A few are willing and able to pursue a graduate degree, but most are searching for educational formats that better fit their busy schedules.

And last but not least, we regularly meet with people who have no interest in becoming information architects but want to learn more about information architecture. They may be decision makers or managers with broad responsibilities for web and intranet development; their core expertise may be in marketing, software development, interaction design, or a dozen other areas. Information architecture plays a small but important role in their activities.

In short, all of these people are searching for ways to learn about information architecture, and many are having a hard time finding what they need.

Chaos in Education

It’s not surprising to see ...