Information architecture

This paper introduces to the field of information architecture. It starts with an problem oriented view on cognitive overload followed by a short introduction and definition of information architecture. I will describe different types of user information seeking behavior to understand how an information architecture must support information retrieval. A short introduction into a user centered development process of an effective information architecture follows. The main part of this paper discusses the components of information architecture, how organization, labeling and navigation systems are set up. Further components such as search system and controlled vocabularies for an semantic search are described. This paper finishes with an short outlook on the implications of a Next-Generation-User-Centered-InformationManagement to information architecture.