Taxonomy
Once we know our user's mental models, the next step is to organize that information using a component of IA called "taxonomy." Taxonomy is the method used to group, label, prioritize, and tag information to allow for greater findability, readability, and overall usability of the information being presented.
In the following image of a sitemap for an online college library, we can see an example of how taxonomy can be used:
Sitemaps
A sitemap is literally a visual map of information detailing the various paths we want our customers/users to take. The main objective of a sitemap is to create a hierarchy and a schema for how information will be coordinated, how it will cooperate, how it can change, and the consequences of this once it becomes a functioning, visual design.
Sitemaps are also very useful when you begin creating wireframes and prototypes, since you will have already worked through many of the potential obstacles that...
