planning process:
goals
audience
competition
content
structure
design
  Source: Information Architecture Tutorial

 
specify your site's design

Finally! Design is probably the most satisfying step of the planning process. What do we have so far? You know why you are building the site, who is going to come, what will be on the site, and how the whole thing is structured.

 

In this virtual world, visual design creates the sense of place. There are no aisles or counters, waiting rooms nor auditoriums. An astute site structure combined with an effective visual design enables users to construct a mental map of the site.

layout grids
A template that describes each web page.

  1. make a list of all page types (based on site structure)
    Individual pages should be very similar in form across all the major sections.

  2. come up with 2-3 generic page types (based on content inventory)
  3. building blocks:
      • Content – prominently displayed,
      • Branding – company’s logo, this should be on each page as it informs users that they are still on the site.
      • Ads and sponsors – this can be integrated into the design. Do you have a full-sized as banner (468 x 60 pixels) on every page? Do you put it at the top? Do you put it under the title of each page? How do you integrate sponsorship? Do you place a sponsor logo into the header graphics or bottom of each page?
      • Navigation
        Global navigation should be consistent across every page.
        Local navigation system can change depending on the content but try to be as consistent as possible.

This is an interactive process and will require revisions as you receive feedback. It’s good idea to create 2-3 styles for the layout.

  

design sketch
is used to establish the look and feel of the site. Often they are done as you progress through the planning process.

 

page mock-ups
integrate the design sketches and layout grids. They represent the actual site. They can be done as a graphic or html file. You will need client’s approval before moving to constructing the web prototype (large sites) or the actual web site (for smaller sites).

 
Eureka! You have finished the planning process and completed the information architecture for your site. You have all the elements to successfully create the site.
identify your structure