I’ve always had an interest in the more human side of technology, how people interact with machines and software. This has been called in the past CHI (Computer Human Interaction), but is more often being referred to as UX (User eXperience) representing a user’s entire experience, not just how they work with the computer. Also, it de-emphasizes the computer part of the equation as we move towards ubiquitous computing (computers everywhere that are barely visible, just implied in the processes and things we interact with, all communicating to have current information).

A new emerging field is IA, Information Architecture. It’s something that’s been around a long time, but is pulling from several disciplines and coming together in its own in this age of information overload. It relies on the information sciences, even drawing from the organizational systems librarians have used for decades to organize information (in the form of printed text, books), as well as is closely related to CHI/UX as it has much to do with how users interact with computer systems and obtain information. Basically, IA is about structuring information (and thus the system it’s contained in, like a website) in such a way that users get the information they want, in the context they want, when they want, etc. A poorly designed site in terms of IA may look nice and be easy to use, and may contain the information you’re looking for. But it’s not easy to find, so you miss it, and the site has failed in serving you.

Well, that brief little intro over I’m thinking of studying these fields and possibly moving more into them over time. I do software design and development well, and it comes easy to me, with enough challenges to keep me engaged. But it’s not always something I’m passionate about. UX and IA are interesting, exciting emerging fields that will shape the websites and vast amounts of information we’ll access via technology over the next century.

So, if you know anything about IA or UX (such as where is a good place to start like books and possibly courses - preferably in the DFW area) I’d love to hear about it.