What is Information Architecture (IA)

Due to the large number of information circulating on the Internet we must find ways of filtering, replicating and managing the flow of information. Castells (2006, p.8) states that the “Internet is a medium that allows for the first time, the communication of many to many, at any chosen time, on a global scale.” Therefore Information Architecture (IA) is a discipline that aims to evaluate and direct digital resources to user needs, so that the navigation and use enable better interaction between the information spaces and the people. The importance of IA is linked to the growth of connections to informational space, mostly by ordinary people without specific knowledge about the digital medium. Thus, a growing concern about issues of usability and accessibility in the digital environment, giving rise to standards and legislation. While usability is attentive to the satisfaction of users with specific profiles, accessibility points to the need of everyone.