Post on 04-Jan-2016
IWM 14
Information Architecture: Designing Navigation
Classification to navigation
Mapping from raw information collections to pages, with labelling, must be designed to support user navigation (and printing)
Some issues:
• Hypertext linking• Separate pages vs scrolling long page• Page length > page design
Page Dimensions
Page Dimensions
Page Dimensions
Page Length
Page Length
Page Length
What’s meant by navigation?
“exploiting Web site’s structure and content to find, browse and explore information”
Navigation Systems
Global (site-wide) navigation systems Local (sub-site) navigation systems Supplementary navigation systems
• Tables of contents/site maps.• Site indexes.• Guides and guided tours.
Give flexibility and user control without confusing user through too much choice
Navigation Systems
Navigation systems need to:• Provide context (Where am I?)• Provide flexibility (Where can I go?)• Avoid wasting user’s time (Why should I go
there? What will I find?)• Provide guidance (How can I get there?
And get back to here?)
How does navigation work in real life?
following road signs “automatic pilot” landmarksmapsask guide/take guided tourfollow step by step directions
How does “navigation” work in spatial environments?
use map or floorplanlook for signsuse a classification system, e.g. Dewey Decimalgo to favourite sectionuse computerised searchuse recommendationask guide/take guided tourask librarian or ask other usergo to the place marked for you, e.g. research students
onlygo where you see other students from course
Translate into Web navigation aids?
navigation buttons = directions to sections/areas
sitemaps home as landmark breadcrumb trails guided tours user group areas graphically distinguished areas
How does “navigation” work in paper information sources?
using table of contents using index flicking through pages using tabs, coloured sections ask guide/take guided tour using turned down pages, bookmarks looking for “landmark” e.g. photo inserts how much has been read so far?
Lands’ End Catalog
Lands’ End Catalog
An implicit architecture
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showcase
kids
women
unisex
men women
women
Lands’ End Catalog
An alternative view
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kids
cool-weather casual
dressy
summer casual
spring casual
spring casual
special purpose shoes
Lands’ End Catalog
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repetition
Lands’ End Catalog
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repetition
Lands’ End Catalog
Reference and redirection
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Reference and redirection
Translate into Web navigation aids?
favourites/bookmarks back go to previous site = breadcrumb trail url of linked site displayed at bottom of screen directory structure, e.g. alphabetical search visited links
Building context
branding navigation needs to present structure of
information hierarchy plan that any page could be the first page for
users reaching the site from a search engine give url on page use breadcrumb technique, e.g.
my studies/IS355/course material use meaningful URLs and page titles
Building flexibility
hierarchies can be very restrictive direct links can allow user to move around at
will - but can be complex
yx
Building flexibility
hierarchies can be very restrictive direct links can allow user to move around at
will - but can be complex
yx yx
Building flexibility
often via in-text hyperlinks users often don’t see them if they’re important, may be better to group
them in indented list, e.g. The three best team names in the UK:
– Heart of Midlothian– Accrington Stanley– Hamilton Academicals
Building flexibility
Just make sure their meanings are obvious:
The SAC was set up in 1999 by UBSU. We can advise you on topics such as unreturned deposits, properties in need of repair and any situation where you think you are being treated unfairly. The information on these pages is only intended as a guide; if you need further information or advice, please contact us.
Global systems
Site wide system, normally with main sections, referenced on every page via a navigation bar with buttons or tabs
Explicit architecture
Architecture that is made apparent to the user
Very common for information retrieval tasks
Labels can serve to make architecture explicit
But explicitness doesn’t ensure clarity
Example:
home solutions resources channels
Headers & footers
Local systems
subsites may need special treatment and may not fit the global navigation pattern
often expected by user, e.g. U of Brighton faculty sites or course database; product catalogue within large e-commerce site
needs to be integrated into global navigation system, e.g. link to Home, contact, etc should be same.
Integrated navigation elements
Navigation bars– text vs graphical?– button or (expanding) menu?– side vs top vs bottom of screen?– current page?
Frames– real estate– the page model– ever tinier page displays
Supplemental navigation elements
Table of contents Index Site Map Guided tour Site search
Supplemental Navigation Facilities
Table of Contents/Site Map• Reflects site’s organisation system (mental
model).• Gives reassurance of completeness
Site Index• Flattens organisation system (greater granularity).• Supports known-item searching.• Often not directly available - use via search facility
Supplemental Navigation Facilities
Guided Tour• Highlights a few of the site’s resources for a
specific audience, topic, or task.• Good for introducing users to especially relevant
aspect of the site’s content.
Searching Systems
“Search is one of the most important user interface elements in any large web site...Our usability studies show that more than half of all users are search-dominant.” (Jakob Nielsen)
But don’t take user off site Think about scoped search