VCDP 2351: Content Strategy and Information Architecture
Effective date
January 2023
Department
Visual Comm Design Diploma
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
The selection and organization of content is a critical component in the design of interactive experiences, and this course introduces students to important concepts in both content strategy and information architecture. Students will learn to use design research to inform the creation of a content strategy that fits users' needs and achieves project goals. Coursework will introduce students to various principles of information architecture – the logical and thoughtful organization of information. Students will explore various approaches to information structure, organization schemes, and navigation and will practice communicating content strategy using standard industry approaches.
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
VCDP 1115, VCDP 1280 OR 2315, VCDP 1135, taken prior or concurrently.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of information architecture and content strategy in the design of interactive experiences
- Use design research to develop and test an effective content strategy, considering the unique qualities of primary user groups in the creation of a content strategy
- Organize information by selecting appropriate information structure and organization scheme
- Design effective navigation to support content strategy, taking into account both accessibility principles and users' mental models
- Identify and avoid common usability and accessibility issues related to information architecture and content strategy
- Communicate content strategy using sitemaps, wireframes, and prototypes
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
1. Interview with department to discuss previous experience
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 42
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Instructional Strategies
A combination of lecture, demonstration, production simulations, problem solving, practical labs and reflective discussion will be used throughout this course.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Evaluation Plan
Type
|
Percentage
|
Assessment activity
|
Project
|
30
|
Final project
|
Assignments
|
30
|
Assignments
|
Lab Work
|
30
|
May include in-class exercises, assignments, quizzes/tests, and work-in-progress
|
Participation
|
10
|
Participation and professionalism
|
Course topics
- Information architecture
- Content strategy
- Research methods related to IA and content strategy
- Mental models
- Content inventories and taxonomies
- Labeling
- Navigation
- Search and filter functionalities
- Information structures (hierarchical, linear, etc)
- Organization schemes (topic, task, audience, alphabetical, tags, etc)
- Usability and accessibility
- Search engine optimization
- Content mapping
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/.
- To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.