The document discusses the importance of reframing information architecture (IA) as a critical tool for understanding and solving complex, systemic problems in design. It argues that IA should be viewed as a discipline that transcends digital artifacts and focuses on problem/solution ecology, providing a broader value proposition beyond traditional metrics. By positioning IA as a means for innovation, the document emphasizes the necessity of articulating meaning and crucial thinking in design practice to better prepare students for real-world challenges.

1. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
THE INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
OF
MEANING MAKING
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

2. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Design thinking, as an academic discourse, has been
around at least since the 1970’s.
Rittel and Webber, Cross, Buchanan, Van der Merwe,
Krippendorf, Brown, Lockwood…
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

3. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
It is broadly acknowledged
• That the complexity of the world we live in steadily
increases
• That the problems we face are systemic and grounded in
social realities
• That design has been battling to respond in it’s current
siloes (graphic, industrial, architectural, digital)
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

4. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
The complexity of
social realities
present
indeterminate or
wicked problems
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

5. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Research conducted
to understand
complexity emerges
from a multi-
disciplinary
approach
and creates a mass
of data
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

6. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Defining the problem defines the solution: the problem / solution ecology
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

7. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Making sense of indeterminacy
through the understanding and articulation
of the problem / solution ecology
is the synthetic, compositional act of
meaning-making
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

8. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
So to recap…
1.A mass of data is created through research
2.It is organised such that it can be understood
3.And in so doing presents a solution
Hang on. That’s information architecture, isn’t it?
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

9. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
WE RESEARCH
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

10. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
WE ORGANISE
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

11. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
AND IN THE PROCESS DEFINE THE SOLUTION
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

12. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
But we don’t think of IA either as design or problem solving in this
way because
• It's been defined as 'digital thing’
• It’s not positioned as a 'design' practice (rather
information or library science oriented)
• And we don't think of the typical briefs (business
ones) as being situated in social realities
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

13. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Illusion 1
IA deliverables are wireframes, site maps, task
flows, taxonomies, etc
No. The IA deliverable is the synthetic resolution of the problem / solution
ecology as expressed in deliverables which strive to describe it
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

14. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Illusion 2
The design solution is a website, mobile app, etc.
No. The design solution is the resolution of the problem / solution ecology; the
design artifact is a website, mobile app, etc.
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

15. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Illusion 3
IA derives its meaning (relevance, value, purpose)
by delivering measurable value to businesses
No. The relevance, value and purpose of IA is in making sense of problem /
solution ecologies; that business value is derived from this is but one of many
potential consequences
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

16. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
IA has a whole lot more to offer the world than just site maps,
wireframes and task flows.
• Our utility extends way beyond digital
channels; there is a broader value-
proposition
• We dumb down our value because we
struggle to explain it; explain it correctly and
the value will present itself
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

17. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
• Broaden the research frame and
assumptions about artifacts and IA becomes
a discipline, channel and product neutral form
of problem solving
• As in design thinking, from this position, IA
becomes a tool for innovation
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

18. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Implications:
The thinking skills, methods and tools of IA should
be positioned as important indeterminate problem
solving tools
Because meaning is explicitly articulated (not
hidden in the artifact) it should be debated at more
critical levels
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE

19. JASON HOBBS & TERENCE FENN
THE INFORMATION ARCHITCTURE OF MEANING MAKING
Implications:
Because meaning is explicitly articulated, design
practice becomes self-reflective
Self-reflective design creates bridges between
practice, theory and teaching vital for preparing
students of design for the challenges of the world
REFRAMING INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A ROUND TABLE WORKSHOP AT THE IA SUMMIT 2013 - BALTIMORE