World IA Day 2026

#wiad26 is on March 7, 2026

Global theme: Designing for Meaning

Purpose, Experience, and Everything in Between

Information architects design for meaning in everything we create. We intentionally shape how people understand and navigate systems, ensuring our structures create meaningful experiences rather than confusion.

Meaning is what transforms data into knowledge. It helps people make sense of complexity and find what they need. As information architects, we design structures that create meaning. We organize content so people can understand it. We build systems that connect users to the information that matters to them.

Our work begins with purpose: understanding why information exists and what it should accomplish. It culminates in experience: how people actually encounter, understand, and use the information we’ve structured. Between purpose and experience lies the complex work of organizing, labeling, and connecting information in ways that bridge intent and reality.

Whether we design for humans navigating websites, create systems that work alongside AI, or organize information across different cultures, our intent remains constant: we deliberately structure information to create meaningful experiences that serve human purposes.

Why designing for meaning matters

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how information is created and shared. These technologies produce more content faster than ever before. But they also create challenges. How do we ensure AI-generated content has meaning? How do we design systems that remain understandable when machines are part of the process? What does it mean to be the human in the loop?

Information architects can help solve these challenges. We understand how to create structure that supports meaning. We know how to organize information so it makes sense to people. We can design systems that are ethical, inclusive, and transparent.

The difference between a frustrating search and a satisfying discovery. Between feeling lost in information and feeling guided toward understanding. Between data that overwhelms and knowledge that empowers. These experiential outcomes are what we design for when we design for meaning.

How is meaning relevant to information architecture?

This theme can include diverse perspectives and applications:

• Designing for meaning with AI: How do we intentionally structure AI-integrated systems to create meaningful experiences?

• Understanding different cultures: How do different communities organize and understand information? How can we design more inclusive systems?

• Aligning purpose with practice: How do we ensure our design decisions serve clear purposes and create meaningful outcomes?

• Making complexity understandable: How do we help people navigate complex information? What structures create clarity?

• Building ethical systems: What responsibilities do we have as information architects? How do we design systems that are fair and transparent?

• Everything in between: The daily work of connecting users, content, and context in meaningful ways.

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Shape the next World IA Day: Host an event

World IA Day 2026 will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Learn about the application process and key dates.

Start your application →

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Timeline for World IA Day 2026

• July 15 - November 30, 2025: Location applications open

• July 2025: Global theme announcement

• September 2025: New location announcements as they are approved.

• November 2025: Speaker applications open - Contact participating locations for more information.

• January 2026: Registration generally open for local events.

• March 7, 2026: World IA Day 2026

Dates may vary by location as each event is independently organized and coordinated. Locations may also decide to host their WIAD event on a weekday.

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Participating WIAD26 locations

World IA Day has been celebrated in more than 60 locations across the globe since its founding in 2012. Each location builds on a rich history of local community engagement and global connection. See what locations are joining us in 2026.

19 locations

Location	Event type
Budapest, Hungary	In-person
Cesena, Italy	In-person
Columbus, Ohio, United States	Hybrid
Des Moines, Iowa, United States	Hybrid
Eindhoven, The Netherlands	In-person
Fukuoka, Japan	Hybrid
London, United Kingdom	In-person
Los Angeles, California, United States	In-person
Milan, Italy	In-person
New York, New York, United States	Hybrid
Palermo, Italy	Hybrid
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	In-person
Providence, Rhode Island, United States	In-person
Switzerland	In-person
Tehran, Iran	Hybrid
Tokyo, Japan	In-person
Toruń, Poland	In-person
Twin Cities, Minneapolis, United States	In-person
Vancouver, Canada	In-person

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Organize or sponsor World IA Day

Bring World IA Day to your community

Interested in organizing a World IA Day celebration in your city? Applications for local organizers open in June.

Call for organizers

Be a global or local sponsor

Support the information architecture community through sponsorship at global or local levels.

Sponsor

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About World IA Day

World IA Day is a one-day annual celebration focused on the practice and education of Information Architecture. Our goal is to inspire the global growth of a community of practice and empower local leaders to build a culture around it.