(Book Review) Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, 3rd Edition

Overview

Review Published: March, 2017

Note: While this review is for the 3rd edition of this book, "Where to Get It" links will lead to the updated 4th edition.

From information architect and usability experts Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld comes a comprehensive examination of how to plan and execute complex websites that are easy to use.

Starting with the basics of information architecture, progressing to methods of determining and implementing this structure, and ending with real-world examples, this is the definitive guide to organizing website content and features in an ever more complex world.

Rating:

4.5 / 5

(Incredible Idea, Presentation is Clear)

What does this score mean?

Difficulty:

Intermediate to Advanced (Basic understanding of web development is beneficial).

Length:

528 pages.

Where to Buy It:

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Check your Local Library:

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What's Good

Very comprehensive; all methods of finding information on a website are covered in detail, and explained very thoroughly.
Incredibly well-referenced; from a comprehensive index and recommended reading section, to organizations you can join to learn more, this book could very well be the one one you need to regularly reference on the subject of information architecture.
Accessible expert-level knowledge; while this book delves into some very advanced concepts, everything is introduced as simply and elegantly as possible.

What Can Be Improved

It's a very heavy read; clocking in at over 500 pages this book can easily intimidate newcomers, and the amount of content being presented can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming (so keep highlighters and note-taking tools handy so you can reference things quickly later).

The Bottom Line

This is a vital resource; whether your project is large or small, how a UX designer organizes and presents information is critical for producing a successful solution, and this book covers every aspect of that job.
For intermediate to advanced UX designers & all information architects; beginners will find this book accessible enough to be enriching, and more experienced UX designers will find themselves drawn back to reference it often.
Industry standard, so read it; this book has been an industry standard text for decades (since 1998 or thereabouts), is regularly updated with the latest information to maintain that position, and for its price point (around $50) is well worth your time and money.