Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Second Edition

How Information Architecture Fits In

In this discussion of evolt.org, we haven’t covered much in terms of the basic nuts and bolts of information architecture—we haven’t shown a single blueprint or wireframe, or discussed how users might search and browse the site.

In fact, evolt.org’s information architecture is extremely simple, and perhaps not all that interesting if examined in a vacuum. However, it is extremely interesting to see how the site’s information architecture enables the community to create and share content—this, after all, is the ultimate challenge in online community sites. The architecture’s minimalism is what makes it superlative.

The information architecture simply doesn’t get in the way of people who wish to create content, but it does actively support getting that content in all sorts of volumes, sizes, and degrees of structure. It displays content captured elsewhere—ratings, comments, biographical information, and so on—in new settings, such as member’s directory entries, and in new forms, such as cubes. It provides an open canvas for experimentation that leads to innovation.

Therefore, evolt.org’s information architecture has a lot to do with many of the characteristics of a successful online community. It shows how and why one might participate, provides valuable original content, helps promote a sense of ownership among its members, makes sure that contributors are recognized, and taps and repays members’ philanthropy and sense of altruism.