Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Second Edition

A World of Choice

A wonderful aspect of life in the 21st century is our freedom as consumers to choose what we want. In education, awareness of the rich array of opportunities is a key to success. Never before have there been so many different ways to learn. This is especially true in fields like information architecture that have become early adopters of Internet technologies for communication and collaboration. Resources and methods for learning include:

Experience

There’s no substitute for the time-tested method of learning by doing. Most of today’s information architects learned their craft on the job. Volunteering at a nonprofit organization or building a personal web site can jump-start beginners.

Apprenticeship

The fastest and most reliable way to move from novice to expert is to work closely with someone who’s already an expert. Try to find a mentor who’s willing to share their tacit knowledge.

Formal Education

As the field matures, we expect that growing numbers of information architects will seek and find formal education. Ultimately, employers will prefer candidates with a blend of education and experience. We tackle this important topic in the next section.

Seminars

Whether you’re searching for a quick introduction or an in-depth study, there are all sorts of courses, workshops, and seminars offered by universities, conferences, and consulting firms.

Literature

The volume of books and articles relevant to information architecture is staggering. If you look carefully, you ...