Information Architecture: Study Guide
This article is a compilation of our articles and videos on topics related to information architecture. Resources cover specific types of information-architecture principles, navigation design choices for the UI — such as desktop-specific options, mobile-specific options — as well as research methods, such as card sorting and tree testing, which are commonly used in information architecture.
Within each category, the resources are shown in recommended reading order.
If you’re totally new to information architecture, start with the first list, which covers basic principles and commonly asked questions about information architecture, and then make your way to our resources providing deeper guidance for research activities and navigation-design choices.
Information Architecture and Organization Principles
If you’re new to the practice of information architecture, start here! The articles in this section cover what information architecture is and how it relates to (but differs from) navigation. Being a successful information architect also requires an understanding of how people seek out information, and we cover common organizational structures that support those behaviors. In addition, this section covers best practices for categorization and common reader questions about acceptable practices for global-navigation breadth and depth.
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Number |
Link |
Format |
Description |
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1 |
The Difference Between Information Architecture (IA) and Navigation |
Article |
The core difference between the underlying information architecture vs. visible navigation |
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2 |
Information Architecture: 3 Key Models
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Video |
The difference between navigation, taxonomies, and the underlying IA structure |
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3 |
Video |
A key distinction in how users access information |
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4 |
Article |
A critical IA concept about how users “follow their noses” when seeking information |
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5 |
Video |
A clear answer to the question “Do we even need navigation -- don’t users just search?” (Spoiler alert: you do need navigation!) |
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6 |
Video |
A commonly asked question about a common IA misconception |
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7 |
Article |
Two common structural patterns in IA, and their relative pros and cons |
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8 |
Article |
A list of the most common IA mistakes |
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9 |
Article |
A discussion of the number and order of navigation categories, as well as the use of hover menus for touchscreens |
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10 |
Article |
A common IA misconception that says that no page should take more than 3 clicks to access |
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11 |
Polyhierarchies Improve Findability for Ambiguous IA Categories |
Article |
A discussion of polyhierarchy: the practice of crosslisting resources in multiple categories |
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12 |
Polyhierarchy in Information Architecture
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Video |
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13 |
Article |
Using cognitive science to decide how to manage categories with some items that don’t fit perfectly |
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14 |
Better Labels for Website Links: the 4 Ss for Encouraging Clicks |
Video |
Insights on better wording for link names within navigation (and otherwise) |
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15 |
Article |
Alternatives to the problematic Learn More link (and other vague link names) |
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16 |
3 Common IA Mistakes (that Are All Due to Low Information Scent)
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Article |
A discussion of confusing language in link and navigation labels, including vague call-to-action verbs, unnecessary parallel language, and conversational tone of voice |
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17 |
Taxonomy 101: Definition, Best Practices, and How It Complements Other IA Work |
Article |
An overview of what taxonomies are and how they differ from other IA models |
Research Methods for IA
Information architecture has a few unique research methods, such as card sorting and tree testing, that are a bit different than other common UX-research methods. Card sorting is a form of discovery for IA that allows us to understand how our users naturally categorize our resources. Tree testing allows us to test a proposed information architecture to see if users can find key items. Resources in this section will provide guidance on how to plan, execute, and analyze an IA study.
It’s also worth noting that standard user research methods (e.g. usability testing) also usually generate useful findings about IA, so we recommend also reviewing our study guides for qualitative usability testing and quantitative research.
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Number |
Link |
Format |
Description |
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Card Sorting |
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1 |
Card Sorting: Uncover Users' Mental Models for Better Information Architecture |
Article |
An overview of the card-sorting research methodology |
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2 |
Video |
An explanation of the two main types of card sorting and their appropriate uses |
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3 |
Article |
Common mistakes in setting up a card sorting study that can reduce the validity of the research |
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4 |
Article |
Sample-size guidelines for card-sorting studies |
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5 |
Video |
How choosing card-sort items that proportionately represent your offerings can prevent bias in your studies |
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6 |
How to Interpret Dendrograms from Card Sorting to Improve Information Architecture |
Video |
Guidance on analyzing dendrograms (i.e., visualizations of card-sorting results) |
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Tree Testing |
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7 |
Tree Testing to Evaluate Information Architecture Categories |
Video |
An overview of the tree-testing research method |
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8 |
Tree Testing: Fast, Iterative Evaluation of Menu Labels and Categories |
Article |
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9 |
Article |
Guidance on analyzing tree-testing results |
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10 |
Low Findability and Discoverability: Four Testing Methods to Identify the Causes |
Article |
How to use tree testing to find solutions for common IA problems |
Navigation Design
Once you have an information architecture established, you need to make choices about how to present the IA to users in the form of navigation. This section gives advice about mobile and desktop design patterns that support orientation and wayfinding.
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Number |
Link |
Format |
Description |
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General Navigation Best Practices |
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1 |
Article |
Checklist of top menu-design guidelines |
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2 |
Video |
Guidelines for ensuring that navigation is noticeable |
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3 |
Article |
Research demonstrating the risks of hamburger menus (especially on the desktop) |
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4 |
Article |
A case for why to keep global navigation, rather than rely on search |
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5 |
Audience-Based Website Navigation
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Video |
Why segmenting a website's navigation by audience categories will often degrade usability |
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Wayfinding and Orientation |
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5 |
Article |
Why navigation is more than a list of links and how it helps users to orient themselves on a site |
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6 |
Video |
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7 |
Article |
Breadcrumb-design best practices |
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8 |
Local Navigation Is a Valuable Orientation and Wayfinding Aid |
Article |
Appropriate ways to expose sibling resources within the same section that the user is currently viewing |
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Common Navigation Patterns and Design Guidelines |
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9 |
Article |
How to ensure that sticky navigation remains present, but unobtrusive |
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10 |
Left-Side Vertical Navigation on Desktop: Scalable, Responsive, and Easy to Scan |
Article |
Design overview of a left navigation, a desktop pattern on desktop especially useful for broad information architectures |
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11 |
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Video |
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12 |
Article |
What utility navigation is and what resources belong there |
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13 |
Article |
Which content belongs in the footer and how to design it |
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14 |
Article |
Mega-menus design guidelines |
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15 |
Article |
Research on where to place the company logo and how it can affect navigation use |
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Mobile Navigation Patterns |
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16 |
Article |
An overview of common mobile-navigation design patterns |
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17 |
Article |
A companion article with mobile-specific subnavigation patterns |
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18 |
Article |
Research on which icons to use for mobile-navigation accordions |
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