Open AccessThe IA You See When You Can't Read the Language
Author(s) -
Creekmore Laura
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
bulletin of the association for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2373-9223
DOI - 10.1002/bul2.2017.1720430214
Subject(s) - ignorance , confusion , phone , psychology , computer science , social psychology , linguistics , cognitive psychology , political science , law , philosophy , psychoanalysis
EDITOR'S SUMMARY A trip to Mexico and being surrounded by airport signs in Spanish highlighted the importance of the information architecture of travel for the author. Indicators of airport terminals, trains and trams were less than clear for those with limited language skills. Airport arrivals and departures were not designated or organized in familiar ways. Using one's own phone on another country's network was complicated. The confusing differences created stress, forced decision making despite uncertainty, and prompted a desire to hide ignorance with a confident appearance. Emotion became a significant factor navigating through the unfamiliar environment of both textual and nontextual cues. Information architects should be mindful of the information they present verbally and graphically and consider the potential for confusion and emotion interfering with their message.