UI/UX Design vs. Information Architecture

Whenever I discussed Information Architecture in the Web Technologies class I taught, the most common question asked was whether UI/UX design is the same as Information architecture.

Well, the answer is both yes and no. UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) and Information Architecture (IA) are distinct, but they are closely related concepts. Here are some thoughts on how they differ while also being intricately related.

User Interface (UI): UI is all about visual aesthetics and ease of use. Buttons, menus, forms, icons, and whatever else you see in an app or a webpage fall under the realm of UI. UI designers are the ones who build a prototype for the developers to implement.

User Experience (UX): While UI might provide the most visually pleasing layout, it may not be convenient for users. A button might be too small, or a colour might be too dull. This is when UX comes into the picture. Improving a user's experience while interacting with UI is the focus of UX.

Information Architecture (IA): Where does IA fit into the picture here? IA is a part of the UX design. Information Architects design the hierarchy of information. In other words, what information is presented and in what proportion is the job of IA. Navigation menus, product listings, recommendations, and product details are some of the numerous aspects determined by IA.

Consider this example

Recently, Amazon replaced multiple buttons with a slider for users to choose their desired price range when searching for a product.

In this scenario,

• The IA team has provided 'price range' as one of the filters for search.
• The UI/UX team has decided to move from a button to a more sophisticated slider.
• But unfortunately to me, a user, this improvement proved to be an inconvenience than beneficial! I am someone who finds it convenient to click a button than meticulously slide a tiny bar. Probably, the Amazon focus group had a different perspective!

So how do these teams work together?

UI/UX designers and Information Architects work collaboratively, usually following these steps.

1. During the initial design phase of the project, UI/UX designers initiate gather user preferences through surveys, user groups, interviews, and other research methods.
2. These requirements are handed to Information Architects whose job then is to design an information hierarchy and navigation pattern based on the insights.
3. Once the IA work is complete, the design gets back to the UX/UX team. They creates a visual design using wireframing, prototyping, or a similar technique.
4. Finally, the development team takes the approved design and implements it to a product.

This iterative process has to continue throughout the lifecycle of the product to accommodate for any change or update.