Citation - Wurman, R. S., & Bradford, P. (1997). Information architects. New York: Graphis.

Keyword - information design, information architecture

information architect. 1) the individual who organizes the patterns inherent in data, making the complex clear. 2) a person who creates the structure or map of information which allows others to find their personal paths to knowledge. 3) the emerging 21st century professional occupation addressing the needs of the age focused upon clarity, human understanding, and the science of the organization of information.

There is a tsunami of data: that is crashing onto the beaches of the civilized world. This is a tidal-wave of unrelated growing data formed in bits and bytes, coming in an unorganized, uncontrolled, incoherent cacophony of foam. None of it is easily related, none of it comes with any organization methodology. As it washes up on our beaches, we see people in suits and ties skipping along the shoreline, men and women in fine shirts and blouses dressed for business. We see graphic designers and government officials, all getting their shoes wet and slowly submerging in the dense trough of stuff. Their trousers and slacks soaked, they walk stupidly into the water, smiling – a false smile of confidence and control. The tsunami is a wall of data – data produced at greater and greater speed, greater and greater amounts to store in memory, amounts that double, it seems, with each sun set. On tape, on disks, on paper, sent by streams of light. Faster, more and more and more.

Bradford, P. (1997). Forword. In R. S. Wurman & P. Bradford (Eds.), Information architects (pp. 5). New York: Graphis.

This is a book about explaining. Using over 100 examples of information design, the book reveals the heart of a good explanation, showing that inside every one, beneath every clever application of technology and style, lies a disciplined process of logic and common sense. A worthy thought process is the only constrant on these pages.

In 1976, Richard Saul Wurman was chairman of the national convention of the American Institute of Architects and for its theme he created The Architecture of Information. So was the seed planted.

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