Sarah Barrett, Principal IA Manager at Microsoft, discusses how architectural scale influences our perception of information environments. Topics include challenges in structuring content effectively, translating real-world rules into digital systems, the impact of spatial metaphors on user interaction design, and enhancing user experiences through intentional design elements.
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Quick takeaways
Architectural scale affects perception of digital environments more than physical spaces.
Naive geography principles influence user wayfinding strategies in digital information architecture.
Deep dives
Sarah Barrett's Role at Microsoft and Information Architecture Team
Sarah Barrett, Principal IA Manager at Microsoft, leads the information architecture team for Microsoft's developer relations organization, overseeing various web platforms like Microsoft Docs, developer.microsoft.com, and learning platforms. Her team manages a vast amount of technical product information and certifications, focusing on educating users about Microsoft's products through strategic information architecture initiatives.
Historical Evolution of Information Organization at Microsoft
The evolution of information organization at Microsoft highlights the shift from physical CDs distribution to online platforms like MSDN.com and docs.microsoft.com. The transition to digital content brought challenges in organizing and structuring vast amounts of information, leading to constant revisions due to the dynamic nature of the content. Managing large-scale ecosystems like Microsoft docs required strategic planning, policy development, and standard creation to ensure effective information architecture.
Challenges of Applying Physical Architectural Concepts to Digital Environments
Sarah Barrett explores the challenges of applying physical architectural concepts to digital environments, debunking the notion that digital spaces can be structured similarly to physical spaces. She highlights the importance of understanding cognitive mapping and the differences in how humans perceive and navigate digital landscapes compared to physical spaces. By discussing failures like Microsoft Bob's house-like interface, Sarah emphasizes the necessity of aligning digital architecture with cognitive principles to enhance user experiences.
Naive Geography and Wayfinding Principles in Information Architecture
Sarah Barrett discusses the concept of naive geography and its relevance to wayfinding principles in information architecture. Naive geography encompasses human cognitive patterns in forming mental representations of spatial environments, influencing how individuals navigate digital spaces. By leveraging standard elements intentionally and incorporating principles of naive geography, information architects can enhance user experience through intuitive wayfinding strategies, ensuring coherence and usability in digital design.
Sarah Barrett is a principal IA Manager at Microsoft. She's been writing compellingly about information architecture in Medium, and in this conversation, we focus on her most recent posts, which deal with how architectural scale affects our perception of information environments.