Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture from Coursera

This course is focused on the early user experience (UX) challenges of research, planning, setting goals, understanding the user, structuring content, and developing interactive sequences. While the concepts covered will translate to many kinds of interactive media (apps, digital kiosks, games), our primary focus will be on designing contemporary, responsive websites. In this course you will complete the first half of a large scale project—developing a comprehensive plan for a complex website—by defining the strategy and scope of the site, as well as developing its information architecture and overall structure. Along the way we will also discuss:

- Different job descriptions in the web design industry and where UX and UI skills fall within this spectrum

- The difference between native apps and websites

- The difference of agile vs. waterfall approaches

- User personas and site personas

- User testing

The work and knowledge in this course continues in the last course in the UI/UX Design Specialization, Web Design: Wireframes to Prototypes, where you will tackle—finally—wireframes, visual mockups, and clickable prototypes.

This is the third course in the UI/UX Design Specialization, which brings a design-centric approach to user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, and offers practical, skill-based instruction centered around a visual communications perspective, rather than on one focused on marketing or programming alone.

These courses are ideal for anyone with some experience in graphic or visual design and who would like to build their skill set in UI or UX for app and web design. It would also be ideal for anyone with experience in front- or back-end web development or human-computer interaction and want to sharpen their visual design and analysis skills for UI or UX.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome! In this first module I will summarize the assignments and expectations of this course.

The User Experience Process

This week I will give you a brief overview of the user experience process that I will teach in this course sequence. We will begin by defining the term "user experience", and then briefly look at the five phases of UX design: Strategy, Outline of Scope, Sitemap, Wireframes, and Visual Mockups. I will also talk about the differences between mobile apps and websites, and the differences between waterfall and agile approaches to UX design. Lastly, I will introduce you to the main project that you will be working on in this course and the one that follows it. You’ll be starting your first assignment at the end of the week. Last, here's something to keep in mind this week: “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”—Steve Jobs

Asking Good Questions: Determining Strategy

This week is all about strategy. We will talk about how to conduct research in the beginning of a project. And I will tell you about the importance of defining a target audience for your website. We’ll also discuss how to determine user needs and client needs. The strategy that you develop in this first step in the UX process will influence all decisions you make further down the line. That’s why it’s so important to take the time and think about what you want to accomplish, what the goals are, and how they might be measured when the project launches.

What is in and What is Out: Outlining Scope

By now you should have a pretty clear idea what your projects will be about and who your target audience is. This week we will talk about how to take the user and client needs that you have established and create a set of content and functionality requirements from them. In other words, you’re transforming your overarching goals from last week into specific requirements for your site.

Getting your Ducks in a Row: The Sitemap

Welcome to the last week of this course. With your outline of scope in hand, you will now learn how to transform the content and functionality requirements determined last week into a navigable structure. This structure will be visualized by something called a sitemap. I’ll tell you all about sitemaps and how to create them. Along the way we will also define the term "information architecture". And I will introduce a tool called TreeJack, which will enable you to test your site map on actual users.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops experience that is essential for UI and UX web and app designers

Covers essential UX design processes, including Research, Planning, Setting Goals, Understanding User, Structuring Content, and Developing Interactive Sequences

Provides solid foundational UX/UI design principles and practices

Ideal for learners with some experience in graphic or visual design, or those with experience in front- or back-end web development or human-computer interaction

Taught by Roman Jaster, a seasoned professional in the UX design industry

Prepares learners for the UI/UX Design Specialization's final course

Reviews summary

Web design: strategy and information architecture

Learners say that this is an engaging course with practical assignments and clear explanations. Students appreciate the inclusion of interviews with professionals and student projects which help to bring the concepts to life. Students also say that Roman Jaster is an excellent instructor who presents the material in a structured and easy-to-understand way. Overall, learners say that this course is well-received and provides a strong foundation in web design strategy and information architecture.

Engaging and practical assignments

"This course has been the most hands-on of my Coursera experience, which as a novice in the field, I found to be the most effective way to learn. The assignments were directly relevant to the material and of manageable workload. I also enjoyed the opportunity to review and provide feedback on my peers’ sitemaps. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in web design or UX."

Well structured, easy to follow

"A very clear and concise manner of introducing the concepts. Would highly recommend to someone who is at the beginner stage and wants to enter the world of UX and web design."

"Well structured, to the point, with step-by-step coursework that is easy to follow, and with plenty of references for those who would like to dig deeper."

Real-world examples and interviews

"The interviews with real world working professionals was a really great addition! Thank you!"

"Amazing course! The way it's explained with real examples. Alyson and Bradley's projects are insightful for learning. The course is much better than the first 2 of the specialization."

Roman Jaster is an excellent instructor

"Roman Jaster is a great instructor. I sense his patience as he meticulously trudges through the finite details. He is insightful and doesn't hold back with his knowledge. Learning from him is an honor."

Mixed reviews on peer reviews

"Would of been good to have the importance of peer reviews introduced at the beginning of the specialization. Otherwise it was okay."

"I think most of the concept was taught in my highschool Information Technology subject, however, this is a good reinforcement. The peer reviewing process needs to be improved."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture with these activities:

Read Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug

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Learn the principles of intuitive web design.

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Read the book
Take notes on the key takeaways

Take an Online Course on Information Architecture

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Gain a deeper understanding of the principles and best practices of information architecture.

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Research different online courses
Choose a course that fits your learning style and schedule
Complete the course

Volunteer at a UX Research Lab

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Gain hands-on experience in conducting user research.

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Find a UX research lab to volunteer at
Attend training sessions
Assist with user research studies
Write up research reports

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Diagram User Flows

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Identify and articulate the critical paths users can take to complete their goals.

Browse courses on User Flows

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Identify key user goals
Map out the steps involved in each goal
Create a visual representation of the user flows

Conduct User Interviews

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Gather qualitative feedback from users to inform your design decisions.

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Develop a list of interview questions
Recruit participants for your interviews
Conduct the interviews
Analyze the results of your interviews

Create a Style Guide

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Establish consistency across all aspects of your website's design.

Browse courses on Style Guides

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Define your brand's visual identity
Create a set of guidelines for typography, colors, and imagery
Share your style guide with your team and stakeholders

Mentor a Junior UX Designer

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Share your knowledge and experience with an aspiring UX designer.

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Find a junior UX designer to mentor
Set up a regular meeting schedule
Provide guidance and feedback on their work
Help them develop their skills and knowledge

Career center

Learners who complete Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Architect

Information Architects are responsible for the organization, labeling, and navigation of information on the Internet. The course will help you develop foundational skills such as research, planning, setting goals, understanding the user, structuring content, and developing interactive sequences. These skills that you will develop in this course will help build a foundation that helps you have success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

UX Designer

User Experience (UX) Designers conduct research about a site's users to determine their behavior and needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Web Designer

Web Designers are responsible for designing and developing the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) for a website.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Frontend Developer

Front-end Developers are responsible for the development and maintenance of the graphical user interface (GUI) of a website or web application.

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UI Developer

UI Developers are responsible for the design and development of the user interface (UI) for a website or web application.

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Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers are responsible for the design of the interaction between a user and a product or service.

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Product Designer

Product Designers are responsible for the design and development of physical or digital products.

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Information Manager

Information Managers are responsible for the organization, storage, and retrieval of information.

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Content Strategist

Content Strategists are responsible for developing and managing the content for a website or web application.

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Usability Analyst

Usability Analysts are responsible for evaluating the usability of a website or web application.

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Webmaster

Webmasters are responsible for the maintenance and administration of a website.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers are responsible for the design and development of educational materials.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for writing and editing technical documentation.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for the development and implementation of marketing campaigns.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for the analysis of business processes and the development of recommendations for improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Web Design

Strategy and Information Architecture

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Web design: strategy and information architecture

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