What began as little more than a series of scribbled experiments on paper eventually lead to using the game of Scrabble to help convey some of the words, tasks and deliverables that make up the discipline of information architecture.

There are many words I’d have liked to have used (content being a notable omission…) but I wanted to limit myself to the correct amount of characters available in the English language version of the game – no matter how tempting it was.

Information Architecture provides an interactive environment or product with the structure to inform, empower and delight those that use it.

Explain IA is a chance for everyone to express their interpretation of what IA is and what it means to them using one or more of a combination of words, images, audio, and/or video. They’ve also laid on some great prizes from a stellar cast of sponsors.

I think the contest is a great way for the Institute to examine how the community are approaching and applying the practice on a day-to-day level – with the shorthand nature of the text entries alone challenging everyone to look at the practice in its purest form. It’s going to be really interesting to read, listen to, and watch what everyone comes up with between now and the 11 February closing date.

The best of luck to everyone that enters.