No Instant Gratification
Some people are asking me why my blog (this part you are reading) looks different to the other parts of my site. Maybe it is a kind way of saying “your site sucks” 
The reason is that I am redesigning my site using Information Architecture principles. It makes sense that I should practice what I preach. (Yes, I am a Information Architect/Web Designer) At the end of the re-design process I should have a better site in terms of meeting the majority of the site’s audience’s goals and needs.
However designing a web site using IA is a long process even when using light-weight methodologies. In addition to taking more time in total, it also takes longer to reach the visual design stage, i.e. the pretty pictures part and so there is no instant gratification. I have been tempted to fix this bit or add another bit but I’ve resisted this temptation because after the first stages of the IA process I might realise that they weren’t really needed in the first place.
In a way instant gratifcation is the reason why many web designers became web designers, they found they could mock-up a design in a graphics package and transfer it relatively quickly to the web. They could then show off their new baby instantly.
I’ve been guilty of doing this sometimes, though more at the start of my web designing career and some times it is defendable or at least understandable. It is easier to stay motivated if you can see some results as you progress rather than wait for the whole shebang at the end. However, as much as some results can help grease the wheels as the web site is being developed, it can also have a determental effect to the completed site. Because in the rush to get the pretty pictures on screen no-one stopped to think of the site’s goals and its audience’s goals and needs. So unsurprisingly the site fails to meet these, unless by the grace of lady luck, and the site owner/designer loses interest in keeping the site updated and going.
So I am sticking to my guns and I won’t be updating the look or design of the site until I finish the preceding steps of IA. I will be updating the content (photos, and blog mainly) so check back from time to time especially if you are interested in seeing how IA can affect a site’s design.
