Navigating Complexity
Clarity and Understanding with Information Architecture

In 1976, Richard Saul Wurman coined the term information architecture. He framed IA as a practice that helps humans navigate complex information systems to facilitate clarity and human understanding. Fifty years later, our information systems are exponentially more complex, and the need for information architecture has never been greater.

Although IA is one of our best tools for addressing the inherent challenges in modern information systems, it remains a niche practice in many workplaces. This year at the Information Architecture Conference, we want to focus on how the transformative power of IA cuts through complexity and creates information systems that let people thrive. Join us to learn how you can add IA to your professional toolbox, or sharpen the tools you already have.

Call for Proposals

We invite you to share your strategies for navigating complexity at this year’s IA Conference. We welcome contributions from speakers of all backgrounds, whether you practice IA full-time or apply its principles in UX, product design, content strategy, research, or data. Successful talks might address topics such as:

• Describe the different kinds of complexity you encounter in your work.
• Share a case study demonstrating how you’ve used IA alongside complementary skills like research, design, or data analysis to wrangle complexity.
• Show real-life examples of what it looks like to “do IA” in your role.
• Share practical approaches for drawing your whole team into your IA practice, or justifying the need for IA to leadership or clients.
• Imagine how you might apply IA in new ways or new contexts to create innovative, human-centered information systems.