Using the information gathered through user research, the core design and architecture to your solution will begin to take shape in the form of sketches, storyboards, and/or prototypes. Just like it sounds, interaction design focuses on defining how a person will interact with a system. Information Architecture defines how data will be classified, cataloged, searched for, displayed, and utilized. At this stage, the focus is on structure and functionality, rather than visual design.

Sample Deliverables:

Structural or site map
A flow chart that outlines the navigational structure of the application or website.

Wireframes
Simplified layout sketches of the structure of your website or application without the graphical treatment. Wireframes define the placement and usage of interface elements such as drop down menus, buttons, scroll bars, etc. and can be compared to blueprints.

Prototypes
An example of the end product that can demonstrate proof of concept or allow for usability testing before costly development takes place. Prototypes can range from low-fidelity “paper” prototypes, to high-fidelity interactive applications created in tools like Flash, HTML/CSS/Javascript, etc.

Decision Tables
Every possible interaction is documented and appropriate error handling is determined.

Site Vocabulary and Taxonomy
Used mainly for data intensive sites, site vocabulary and taxonomy defines how information is labeled, classified and organized and how it is searched for, browsed, and displayed. This may include creation of vocabulary lists that include variant terms (ie. “ui” as a term for “user interface”, related terms, and preferred terms as well as definitions of the algorithms used for retrieving data.