State of information architecture
Is information architecture still relevant? Discover our global research documenting IA practice, connecting practitioners, and shaping the future of the field.
In 1998, Information Architecture for the World Wide Web was published. A year later, the first IA Summit convened in Boston. The Information Architecture Institute was founded in 2002, and the first European IA Summit took place in Brussels in 2005.
Today, information architecture discussions have narrowed—often reduced to sitemaps and navigation. But the need for IA has never been greater. As our world becomes increasingly connected and complex, information architecture is essential for helping people make sense of it all.
Our purpose
The State of Information Architecture project exists to answer a fundamental question: Who is practicing information architecture today, and how are they doing it?
Through this research, we explore:
Who identifies with IA principles and practices
What methodologies and approaches they use
How they develop their skills and advance their work
What they anticipate for the future of this discipline
This research documents the state of IA practice and establishes a baseline for understanding how the field evolves. We believe that while the title "information architect" may come and go, the work itself—organizing, structuring, and making information findable—remains vital across design, research, and industry.
About the project
The State of IA began in 2020 as part of World IA Day's initiative to build and connect a global community of IA advocates and practitioners. Launched during a time of significant change in how we work and interact, the project continues every couple of years as a longitudinal study tracking IA's evolution.
More than data collection, this project serves as a platform for advocacy and community building. With support from partners like Optimal Workshop, we're strengthening IA's position as a critical discipline for creating meaningful, accessible information experiences.
The project is managed by the World Information Architecture Association (WIAA), which evolved from the WIAD initiative. Survey findings inform WIAA's mission of growing IA practice through education, advocacy, thought leadership, and community engagement. The research is distributed globally through World IA Day events, IA Conference, UX New Zealand, and professional communities worldwide—with questions translated into multiple languages to ensure broad participation.
How to get involved
The State of IA project thrives on community participation. Whether you're an IA practitioner, researcher, or student, there are several ways to contribute:
Take the survey – When the next study launches, share your experience and perspective to help document the state of our field
Help with translations – Make the survey accessible to IA communities worldwide by translating questions into your language
Support research analysis – Contribute your analytical skills to help interpret data and uncover meaningful insights
Shape survey design – Join the team in crafting questions that capture the evolving nature of IA practice
Interested in contributing? Email [email protected] to find out about current opportunities.
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