What is a Local Information Architecture (IA) Group?
A Local IA Group is any regularly coordinated gathering of people
within a geographical region for the purposes of discussing Information
Architecture and related issues.
Who can participate in a Local IA Group?
A group and its participants may be defined in many different ways
according to the needs of the community and the type of interaction
and support desired by those involved. Some groups may be created specifically
for those currently practicing IA at a senior level, others may be for
anyone interested in Information Architecture regardless of experience.
When thinking about starting or joining a Local IA Group, it is important
to think about the type of discussion you are interested in and would
find most useful.
How often does a Local IA Group meet?
The gathering schedule of a Local IA Group should take into account
the needs and interest level of those involved. In order to be most
successful, a Local IA Group will ideally meet on a somewhat regular
schedule - whether that is monthly or twice a year will likely depend
on what the community can support and how many meetings would be of
most benefit.
Where are Local IA Group meetings held?
The chosen meeting place for a Local IA Group meeting will depend on
a number of factors such as the type of group involved, the number of
expected participants and the level of formality desired for the gathering
and its conversation. Some smaller groups have met at an individual’s
home, others have met at a centrally located restaurant or pub, and
some have created a more formal setting by meeting at a workplace after
hours or other space conducive to presentations.
What is discussed at a Local IA Group gathering?
A Local IA Group gathering can be structured around a particular arranged
topic that is announced in advance or it can be an open conversation
among participants surrounding whatever IA related topics they feel
like talking about that night. Some gatherings have involved creative
brainstorming of a real or fictional IA challenge, others have brought
in guest speakers for a more formal presentation, and many are just
convivial gatherings where the only guidelines for discussion are an
interest in IA. A Local IA Group may also decide to alternate the discussions
and their level of formality depending on the desires of those attending.
What are the benefits of a Local IA Group?
A Local IA Group can provide a number of benefits to both individual
IA practitioners and to the IA community as a whole:
- Networking
Networking is one of the most important reasons for participating
in a professional organization. Sometimes people are intimidated by
the idea of networking - they may worry that it may involve a lot
of small talk with people they don’t have much in common with.
Ideally, much of networking can be the opposite – good, in depth
discussions with people of like-minded interests. Think of networking
as simply the process of building and developing a set of contacts
or professional acquaintances. Like a social network, these contacts
may include varying levels of closeness and involvement. Contacts
you make while networking can help you find jobs, brainstorm on solutions
for a current professional challenge or just offer informal discourse
with someone who understands your point of view. A Local IA Group
can help coordinate a group of people within your geographical region
with whom you engage face to face and gain valuable networking contacts.
- Creating a sense of community
One of the reasons many of us get involved with an organization like
AIfIA is that we are looking for a community of individuals who are
interested in similar issues as ourselves. We may want to find someone
to mentor us, to learn new practices or technology, or we may be ready
to share our own knowledge and experiences with others. Participating
in a Local IA Group can help you feel part of a larger group and creates
a place where you can find someone who can understand your IA challenges
and appreciate your victories.
- Professional Development
A Local IA Group can be a great resource for professional development.
Whether you are looking for recommendations on classes or workshops
to take, books to read or just need another expert to ask those tricky
questions, a local network of professionals can provide great resources
for growth and improvement. Everyone has an area of expertise or a
domain of information that can be of value to someone else, and participating
in a coordinated effort to establish a professional community like
a Local IA Group can really jumpstart your own development.
- Creative Exchange
Do you ever wish you could find a place to float your most crazily
creative ideas? To get feedback on which pieces of your current IA
vision will work and which ones may need more tweaking? A Local IA
Group can be a place where you can find a sounding board for innovation
and inspiration. Some of the best ideas can come from discussions
with someone else who bounces off of your input and brainstorms their
own contributions. No Local IA Group in your area? Think about starting
one!
- Marketing and advancement of the IA profession
Establishing a Local IA Group can be a great step in advancing and
promoting information architecture. Just getting the word out that
a group exists for the discussion of IA related issues can start to
make others aware of information architecture and help them recognize
its value as a profession and a vital part of a successful company.
If you are already involved in a Local IA Group, you could have a
‘non-members’ event where you can extol the virtues of
IA and help spread the word!
How can I start a Local IA Group?
You can find basic steps to starting a Local IA Group, tips from the
field and other resources on our Start
a Local IA Group page.
