4 stars
I had to read this book for my Information Architecture course for grad school and found it remarkably helpful. So far this semester, this and Abby Covert‘s How to Make Sense of Any Mess have been the most beneficial for me.
I went into the semester having never head of information architecture and having no idea what it was, but this book definitely helped me get a better feel for it in terms of information environments.
The writing overall was simple and easy to understand. I enjoyed the conversational style of writing that made it feel like an opportunity to learn rather than a dry textbook. The examples used were easy to relate to. Some of the books we have read for this class use overly-technical examples that don’t resonate with me. Instead, this one focuses on well-known digital places such as Facebook and Amazon. Even when the example is not readily known, it is explained well enough to make the point.
The chapters broke down the complexity of information environments in a fantastic way and the overall structure of the book was informational without being overwhelming. It’s a relatively small book in comparison to some of the other books I’ve (attempt to) read for this class. Interspersed with photos, diagrams, models, and quotations, this is a manageable read for those interested in learning more about creating better digital places.
I also enjoyed the ending section on switching to a more generative rather than prescriptive approach in order to allow for the evolution of the place. A fascinating perspective that was well-presented with the helpful example of Wikipedia.
A great read.