Information architecture (IA) and information design (ID) are two fields that are taking the Web experience to a new level. They form the foundations of what is now widely known as user experience design (UXD). In this article, I argue that e-learning teams too have to embrace UXD practices in addition to learning design practices to take the learning experience to a higher level.

Why the need to embrace IA and ID?
When it comes to the Web, design requires a holistic approach. Consider this: about a decade ago, Web design involved just the creation of text, graphics and layouts. Not anymore. Web design has now evolved into User Experience Design or UXD. The elements of UXD encompass many domains – visual, affective, cognitive, business, etc. Although the community is still negotiating many of these elements, here are two maps that provide a starting point:

• Nathan Shedroff’s User Experience Methods
• Jesse James Garrett’s Elements of User Experience (PDF document)

There are two main interconnected forces responsible for the transformation of Web design into UXD. Firstly, it’s the realization that the Web is more than just text and pictures; it’s an experience enabler. Secondly, it is the relentless push from the users themselves; they expect from the Web what they expect from real life – holistic experiences.

Online learners too are bound to follow suite. It’s best if we are aware of these realities and start looking into the possibilities of incorporating them in our solutions.

Let’s consider an example.

On implementing their e-learning pilot, the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) observed that learners don’t like full-blown courses; they like to pick and choose only those modules or sub-modules that interest them.

So, what does this observation signify? If in the past we were managing, say, 100 full-blown courses, then now we have to manage, say, 700 modules (assuming an average of 7 modules per course). This introduces many new challenges, the same ones that come about when there are large numbers of objects involved. Think Amazon.com. Some of these challenges involve correct labeling systems, intuitive navigation paths, effective searching and usable taxonomies and classifications. All of these fall under the realm of IA. And all of these influence the overall experience.

Now let’s consider this scenario: A business wants to use e-learning to teach its field staff about a new logistics process involving many departments and spanning many countries.

The traditional strategy will be to use the classic Gagneian approach and teach the process using step-by-step procedures or examples. But knowledge of ID could open up many other possibilities. For example, in this case, a visual Tufteian map could provide a better learning experience in addition to step-by-step procedures.

This art and science of visually explaining complex processes falls under the realm of ID.

Thus, knowledge on IA and ID can help e-learning teams look into providing enhanced learning experiences.

Information Architecture Vs. Information Design
Initially, there was some confusion on the differences between IA and ID. Designers used to treat IA and ID as synonyms. But after much debate and especially after an explosion of practical work done in these domains, the differences are clearer now.

At its core, IA deals with the structure of a website. It has strong connection to the library sciences. Here’s a definition from Information Architecture for the World Wide Web (2nd Edition), the authoritative text on this field:

1. The combination of organization, labeling and navigation schemes within an information system.
   
2. The structural design of an information space to facilitate task completion and intuitive access to content.
   
3. The art and science of structuring and classifying web sites and intranets to help people find and manage information.

So, if you have a large website handling many documents, then the task of easily finding, browsing and navigating these documents is the responsibility of the information architect. Typically this would entail building labeling systems, creating taxonomies and controlled vocabularies, designing the navigation and optimizing the searching of documents. Note that there is an emphasis on the structure here, hence the title information architecture.

While IA deals with the structure of a website, ID deals with the design and presentation of information to facilitate understanding.

This includes infographics.  The sole purpose of an infographic is to aid understanding (the moniker explanation graphic is also widely used). Here’s an example of the process of designing an infographic from the folks at Xplane.

It is important to note that ID is concerned not only with static infographic design, but also with multimedia design and interaction design . For example, take a look at MSNBC’s Baggage Screener simulation. Note the visual design, the information design, the interaction and the ambient audio design. All of these work in tandem to provide the overall experience.

So, if your thinking that ID encompasses a lot, you’re not mistaken. Consider this definition of information design from Dirk Knemeyer, Chief Design officer at Thread Inc.:

Information design addresses high level information problems to provide the most possible clarity, understanding and effectiveness… In order to achieve that ambitious end, information design must be open to any and every discipline or field of thought… information design must actively encourage and participate in research that increases our understanding of information and the effect that it has: how and why people respond to information, how the human brain processes information and builds knowledge, as well as how humans organize knowledge and convert it into improved behavior and operation. Better understanding of these factors will enable us to create the best possible information, interfaces and communications.

If you are a learner experience designer (previously known as instructional designer), you will immediately see the connections.

Conclusion
This article is an early attempt to define the elements of learning experience design or LXD. From my discussions with designers and developers in the e-learning community, the practice of using a holistic approach has already begun. Although these are the first steps, I am quite certain that we will embrace many ideas and philosophies from the world of user experience design and tailor them to our needs. 

Some links:
• IAWiki: http://www.iawiki.net/
• Boxes and Arrows: http://www.boxesandarrows.com/
• Asilomar Institute of Information Architecture: http://www.aifia.org/
• InfoDesign: http://www.informationdesign.org/

Links used in this article:

Nathan Shedroff’s User Experience Methods http://www.nathan.com/thoughts/newmethods/5e.html

Jesse James Garrett’s Elements of User Experience (PDF document) http://www.jjg.net/ia/elements.pdf

AUSTRADE e-learning pilot
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/14/1087065076850.html

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com

Tufteian
http://www.edwardtufte.com

Debate on differences between IA and ID
http://www.stcsig.org/id/whatis.html

Definition from Information Architecture for the World Wide Web (2nd Edition) http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/infotecture2/

The Making of a Great Graphic
http://www.visualjournalism.com/indexlavoz.html

Xplane infographic example
http://xplane.com/howitworks/

Definition of information design from Dirk Knemeyer
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/archives/information_design_the_understanding_discipline.php