IAI Newsletter #3.6 June 2008

June 04, 2008 08:27 PM

IAI Newsletter #3.6 June 2008

The Information Architecture Institute (IAI) Newsletter features news about IAI and our partner sites: Boxes and arrows and IAwiki. We have also added a list of conferences, workshops, F2Fs, and job postings at the end, so scroll down!

In this issue:

* IAI News
* Volunteer Opportunities
* What's New with Our Partners?
* Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
* Job Postings

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IAI NEWS - http://www.iainstitute.org

In May, the Institute continued its work busily backstage, in the shop as it were, hammering together large pieces of scenery, installing wiring harnesses, painting new drops, hauling the deus ex machina into the fly space... In short, great things are coming.

For instance, under the leadership of Janette Shew, and with a team that rivals that of the NASA moon shot, the Translations Initiative continues to move forward - particularly on the Italian and Spanish Language sites.

The Education Initiative is taking on both tactical and strategic dimensions, led by Andrea Resmini and a brilliant team. It looks like representatives from the team will be speaking at both NordChi and EuroIA. They have also been working with the Board on closer integration of the IAI Library and Tools repositories with broader EduIA goals.

And work has begun, on paper napkins at least, on a new book with the working title "A Day in the Life of an Information Architect" – or rather, let us say a day in the life of about 40 different IAs.

If you are interested in being part of any of these or other projects, drop a line to membership AT iainstitute DOT org.

Sincerely,

Stacy Surla
Secretary
Information Architecture Institute

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - http://iainstitute.org/en/network/volunteer_opportunities.php

IAI is a multinational volunteer organization and all of our projects are the work of an active volunteer community. Our members supply the ideas, initiative, and energy it takes to provide services to the IA community. Join that effort by taking on a volunteer role today. Contact volunteer AT iainstitute DOT org if you are interested in any of the following projects or would like to learn more about volunteering.

* Salary Survey Volunteers
We are expanding this year's salary survey to offer a more detailed breakdown of salary and benefits by experience level and geography. Statistics minded volunteers with tech skills are needed to develop the expanded survey and to create a database where we can transport, sort and analyze the results. Please write to volunteer AT iainstitute DOT org if you are interested in joining this exciting project.

*Website Developers
IAI is looking for volunteers with php skills and experience with Moveable Type to help publish some exciting new language sites, content, and pages. Join the website team and get a chance to help a great global project launch on the web.

*IDEA 2008
The IDEA Conference is coming to Chicago October 6-8, 2008. We are looking for volunteers to help us find sponsors, market the event, and spread the word to the blogosphere and beyond.

*Mentors
Seeking Mentors of all backgrounds and in all related fields. Our peer to peer mentoring program is one of the most important member benefits of the IA Institute. As a mentor, you can share your experiences with beginning and seasoned IAs who are looking to develop their knowledge. We are especially looking for people who can guide new IAs through job changes, and help people moving from corporations to freelance or from freelance to the corporate setting. Visit our mentoring home page for more information: http://iainstitute.org/en/members/mentoring/mentoring_program.php

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WHAT'S NEW WITH OUR PARTNERS
ASIS&T Bulletin, Boxes and Arrows, and Web Indexing SIG

ASIS&T Bulletin - http://www.asis.org/bulletin.html

The April/May issue of the ASIS&T Bulletin features Mark Nolan in the IA Column. His article “Exploring Exploratory Search” examines how expert users experience information through searching. With clear tasks and deliverables, it is a must read for anyone interested in improving site searches or learning more about how you seek information. This is a field where information architects can really make an impact in research, design, and use.

Exploring Exploratory Search –
http://www.asis.org/Bulletin/Apr-08/AprMay08_Nolan.html

Features articles "Let Them Write English by Elise Langdon-Neuner" and "Defining an Agenda for Human-Centered Computing" by Andrew Sears, Jonathan Lazar, Ant Ozok and Gabriele Meiselwitz will also pique IA interests.

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Boxes and Arrows - http://www.boxesandarrows.com
The definitive source for the complex task of bringing architecture and design to the digital landscape.

UX Design-Planning Not One-man Show: Do we need more experience planning teams?
by Holger Maassen

Suppliers sell. Customers buy. Various people discuss UX, but don't really identify what it is. Agencies search for ways to offer this line of work to clients and seek best practises to develop UX. Holger Maassen posits his ideas about the process of planning and designing for User Experience Design-Planning (UXD-P) as Expectation Design.

http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/ux-design-planning

Leading Designers to New Frontiers: Podcasts from MX San Francisco
by Jeff Parks

MX San Francisco: Managing Experience through Creative Leadership took place in San Francisco between April 20-22. The conference focused on helping managers and designers deal with the complexity, challenges, and opportunities that make every day so entertaining.

http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/leading-designers-to

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Web Indexing SIG: http://www.web-indexing.org

The Web Indexing SIG (Special Interest Group) promotes the human indexing of Web sites and HTML documents.

The Web Indexing SIG announced the winners of its first annual Web Indexing Award at the American Society for Indexing national conference award ceremony on May 2 in Denver, Colorado.

First place (winning US$75): Rebecca Linford
Site A-Z index: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/english/atoz.htm
Site home page: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/english/
Web site: English program of the School of Humanities, University of Dundee, Scotland

Second place: Mike Unwalla:
Site A-Z index: http://www.techscribe.co.uk/techw/a-z-index.htm
Site home page: http://www.techscribe.co.uk
Web site: TechScribe software documentation services

This award replaces that previously awarded by the Australia and New Zealand Society of Indexers.

More information is at: http://www.web-indexing.org/web-indexing-award.htm

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UPCOMING EVENTS - http://iainstitute.org/calendar/

Events on the IAI Calendar website offer discounts to members. We are always looking for new partners and events we can share with our membership and newsletter subscribers. If you would like to promote your event, please contact events AT iainstitute DOT org.

The Calendar is bursting with events, check out the full listings online!
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/

SAVE THE DATE
The third annual IDEA Conference, the IA Institute's own take on design for an always-on, always-connected world, is coming to Chicago this fall!

IDEA Conference
October 7-8, 2008
Preconference October 6, 2008
Chicago, USA
http://ideaconference.org


From Business To Buttons 2008
June 12-13, 2008
Malmo, Sweden

"From Business to Buttons" is a conference offering insights and methods of how to bridge the gap between the business goals and the product in use. The conference will feature two days of inspirational sessions and workshops that address the design of interactive systems of all types: applications (web and desktop), mobile, consumer electronics and more. IAI members eligible for discount. http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000717.php


Web Content 2008
June 17-18, 2008
Chicago, USA

Event brings together nationally recognized technology, content, and marketing authorities involved with creating, organizing, maintaining, and delivering web content. Presenters will share best practices, new approaches, lessons learned, and provide real-world examples. This year's theme: Web 2.0 and Its Impact on Web Communication. IAI members eligible for discount. http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000701.php


CM Pros Spring Summit: Dynamic Delivery Across Multiple Media Channels
June 17, 2008
San Francisco, USA

The CM Pros 2008 Spring Summit Dynamic “Delivery Across Multiple Media Channels” will be held at the Westin Market Place Hotel in San Francisco on June 17, 2008 in conjunction with the Gilbane Conference on Beyond Content Management. The focus will be on the growing requirement for content management solutions to dynamically deliver content that includes rich media. Presenters and attendees will share eight interactive sessions, keynote presentation, panel discussions, vendor demonstrations, networking opportunities and a CM Pros Town Hall meeting. The Summit program delivers Business and Technology tracks with sessions by your peers and industry leaders. IAI members eligible for discount. http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000731.php


Information Architecture Essentials
June 18, 2008
Rydges Southbank, Brisbane

In this one-day workshop, Patrick Kennedy will present the fundamentals of information architecture (IA), the core methodology for organising and designing websites and intranets. Key skills such as card sorting will be taught, and this workshop is designed to build in-house information architecture skills. A must for all web or intranet teams. IAI members eligible for discount. http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000706.php


Documentation and Training Life Sciences 2008
June 23-26, 2008
Indianapolis, USA

The theme of the Documentation & Training Life Sciences 2008 Conference is The Right Prescription For Life Sciences Content. The event explores content challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies, medical device and durable medical equipment manufacturers, and health and hospital corporations around the globe. IAI members eligible for discount.
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000697.php


Information Architecture and Collaborative Design
August 7 – 8, 2008
Sydney, Australia

Join the Masterclass in “Using IA to enhance the use and effectiveness of your information system.” This two-day interactive workshop will provide a thorough overview and understanding about how to effectively use information architecture to make your intranet or website as effective as possible. IAI members eligible for discount.
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000725.php#000725


Check out full listings and future events:
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/


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IAI JOB POSTINGS - http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/

The IAI Job Board lists job postings related to information architecture, as well as information design, interaction design, user experience, and HCI.

The following are just a sample of recent postings:

Information Architect
Big Fish, Seattle, WA USA
http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3850

Sr. UX Architect
Recruiter, Chicago, IL USA

http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3847

Lead/Manager - User Experience Design
Adchemy, San Francisco, CA USA
http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3848


Job board newsletter archives are available at: http://lists.iainstitute.org/listinfo.cgi/iai-jobs-iainstitute.org

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Thanks for reading and we'll be back with another newsletter in about a month!