Founded in October of 1999 by Dariane Hunt, EyeArchitect is an information architecture company specialized in developing innovative organizational and navigational strategies for intranets and Web sites.

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WHAT IS INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE?
Broadly defined, information architecture is the selection, organization and presentation of information into a visual model whose meaning can be quickly understood by its intended audience.
The Impact of the Web The advent of the Web has had two important effects on both visual models and the role of information architecture: The Web has exponentially increased the amount of information we have to deal with, making it all the more critical to convey that information clearly and concisely. The Web has given us the opportunity to develop new and innovative visual models with which to display information.	Our Role on the Web In the context of creating a Web site, information architects are responsible for translating a client's business objectives into a well-defined navigational structure whose flow and visual foundation draws its strength from how well it communicates those objectives to its target audience. The primary deliverable of an information architect is called a Functional Specification document which essentially acts as the blue-print from which the site is designed and built.

OUR PROCESS

EyeArchitect services span 4 phases of the Web development process. Due to the scope and complexity of large-scale projects, EyeArchitect focuses primarily on Project Definition and Functional Specification services for those projects (Phase 1 and Phase 2) and provides Interface Design and HTML Site Shell production services (Phase 3 and Phase 4) for smaller projects. Clients are given password protected access to a customized area on the EyeArchitect Web site that allows them to track the project through each step and view deliverables.

PHASE 1: Project Definition The Project Definition phase can also be called the "discovery" phase. This is where we seek to learn as much as we can about your company, your short and long term business and Web site goals (not always the same), your brand identity and your thoughts on the project. Three deliverables usually come out of this process: Requirements Document We seek to understand your requirements and beliefs about the project, but also to understand your objectives and be smart advisors of how best to execute against those objectives. The Requirements document is a detailed outline of exactly what the site must do (i.e. the instruction set) from both a business and technical perspective (by contrast, the Functional Specification document details how the site will achieve what is laid out in the Requirements document). Competitive Landscape The Competitive Landscape is a document that includes an overview of competitive sites on the Web. Each site contains a URL, a screenshot of the home page, a one paragraph overview of the site, a target audience list, brand positioning, brand attributes and features, partnerships, strengths, weaknesses, and threats. The Competitive Landscape informs the User Experience Strategy. User Experience Strategy The User Experience Strategy is a short 5-10 page document which outlines a high-level architectural and navigational approach for developing the Web site. This document includes the recommended approach, high-level assumptions from target audience, target audience goals, user types with accompanying example scenarios, archcitecture implications and preliminary wireframe(s). The User Experience Strategy forms the basis of the Functional Specification document. PHASE 2: Functional Specifications The objective of the Functional Specification document is to clearly identify the site and web applications that the technical team will build and how each subsystem will work in the context of the overall strategy of the site. It is our objective in this phase to make it absolutely clear - working in partnership with the client and the creative and technical teams - what the full range of function and content will be on the site. The Functional Specification document consists of wireframes, flowcharts, site maps and detailed function tables for each major work area of a site. Use Case Scenarios are applied to work areas where applicable and appropriate depending on the nature of the project. Thus, you'll begin to "see" the application well before it is actually built. For the project to succeed, everyone must have a strong, mutually agreed upon conception of the product in its final form and the Functional Specification document serves as the blue-print that will guide the creative and technical components of the site. PHASE 3: Interface Design Graphic design is about using aesthetic presentation to display and reinforce a brand's message, and interface design is about communicating functionality through visual components of a screen or remote device. EyeArchitect believes in the subtle interplay between the functionality and aesthetic of an interface and aims to provide a balance between the two. We stand by the fact that good design is only as good as how well it communicates its message. To this end, every design element on the screen is considered and evaluated for effectiveness in clarity, functionality and implementation. We generally provide 3-4 preliminary design layouts for a project and, based on the direction chosen, we will refine it and develop the visual vocabulary that will define the "look and feel" of the site. PHASE 4: HTML Production The final deliverable in Phase 4 is an HTML site that incorporates the interface and design elements of the site within the proposed architecture layed out in the Functional Specification document. Services include graphics production, HTML production, cgi- and javascript programming.

ABOUT EyeArchitect

Founded in October of 1999 by Dariane Hunt, EyeArchitect is an information architecture company specialized in developing innovative organizational and navigational strategies for intranets and the Web. EyeArchitect works as part of a client's in-house team (independent consultant) or as an outsourced Information Architect to Web development and design firms.

History Prior to starting EyeArchitect, Dariane was the Senior Information Architect at Knowledge Strategies, Inc., where she worked for over 2 years as the primary client lead on a variety of projects. Dariane's responsibilities included developing strategic content, site structure and dynamic interaction tools. She also played an active role in developing and implementing overall visual design. Before joining Knowledge Strategies, Inc., Dariane spent more than three years at Retail Options, Inc., where she consulted on electronic retailing for both interactive television and Internet services. Working with such clients as QVC, US West and SNET, she managed client relations, facilitated strategic partnerships, and consulted on interface design and visual architecture. She also assisted the partners in developing growth strategies for retail clients in merchandising, marketing, and retail planning and design arenas. Dariane has consulted on information management and Internet issues for the Sarawak Forest Department in Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo), where she worked with the technical staff one summer to help them conceptualize, implement and manage their web activities. This was a follow-up to a 4 month sabbatical she took to do a research project on the feeding behavior of Orangutans at the Semengoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Sarawak, Malaysia. Her interest in using scientific visualization to impact our understanding of the physical world was inspired by her work in Sarawak. She has also worked in such diverse disciplines as marketing, new business development, and database design for Donovan and Green, International Design & Advertising and Christopher Vincent, Inc. Dariane holds a Master's Degree from New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), where she focused on data visualization, information architecture and information management. She also has a B.A. from Hamilton College where she majored in Asian Studies. Dariane was born in Paris, France and acquired her multi-cultural sensitivities living in numerous countries including, Indonesia, England, Switzerland, The People's Republic of China, Malaysia and both U.S. coasts. She is fluent in French and proficient in Mandarin. Clients (in chronological order) CURRENT CLIENTS [last updated 08.09.2006] Edward Tufte - Graphics Press September 2000 - present http://www.edwardtufte.com (navigational architecture, interface design, production, technical project management) EyeArchitect was hired by Edward Tufte to create a Web site that will display and sell his books, posters, fine art, sculpture, and enable people to sign up for his one-day courses online. Edward Tufte wrote, designed, and self-published seven books on information design, which have received more than 40 awards for content and design. He is a Professor Emeritus at Yale University, where he taught courses in statistical evidence, information design and interface design. Bank of America July 2005 - present https://www.baisidirect.com (interaction design) EyeArchitect works on a contract basis for the User Centered Design & Research (UCD&R) department of Bank of America focusing on Banc of America Investment Services, Inc., the Investment and Brokerage group within Bank of America. EyeArchitect implements user-centered design processes to ensure that web-based products, applications, and marketing pages are easy to use and help customers and associates fulfill their goals in both the unauthenticated and authenticated (once user has logged in) sites. Responsibilities include: Gather and maintain business requirements working with line of business and segment representatives Drive the optimum implementation of functionality through research and usability testing Conduct task analyses to define user needs Develop high-level information flows and navigation systems Develop detailed page schematics Work with Technology & Operations to determine technology needs for given initiatives Work with visual designers to ensure look & feel of given initiatives meets intended user interaction Participate in the development of product prototypes for usability testing and proof of concept purposes Participate in usability tests by helping to define methodology, conducting walks-through, and developing reports Represent solutions throughout Bank of America Manage outside agencies utilized during various project phases Transparent Value, LLC June 2006 - present http://www.transparentvalue.com (interaction design, navigational architecture) Transparent Value, LLC is a New York based asset management firm with a dedicated vision to introduce a new standard for measuring equity valuations, providing conflict free investment research, and delivering sustainable investment returns. EyeArchitect was hired to consult on the architecture and navigational interface of their real time, interactive and fundamental global valuation, research and equity indexing platform. We helped organize the display of the data and so as to make it more intuitive to its end-users. EyeArchitect was also hired to redesign the front-end website to more clearly position and highlight the fundamental strengths of the company. Services include developing site design, interactive modules, graph designs, HTML newsletter templates, Flash presentation templates, banners, and collateral materials for a unified and consistent look across all communications platforms. PAST CLIENTS Pentagon Federal Credit Union May 2004 - June 2005 (Executive Seminar, Functional Specifications) Pentagon Federal Credit Union is a financial institution with over $7,000,000,000 in assets. They serve 600,000 members in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and DoD communities. PFCU wanted to set the industry standard for a transaction-based website and invited EyeArchitect to give a one-day seminar on Information Architecture to a group of their executives and CEO in Washington D.C. Shortly thereafter, EyeArchitect was hired to develop the Functional Specification document for their public web site redesign, their online banking application and their customer service application screens. EyeArchitect created a website that promotes and reinforces the online transaction component of the site, is scaleable to address growing target audience needs over time, provides intuitive and easy to navigate pathways through the information, and offers unique ways to organize information that will enable users to execute their online banking more effectively. For their customer service application, EyeArchitect developed an intuitive and easy to navigate interface that will leverage the reorganization and redesign of both the website and the online banking application. Vivien Ravdin Communications September 2006 - February 2007 http://www.ravdin.com (interaction design, navigational architecture, production) Vivien Ravdin Communications needed a site that will reinforce its positioning as a provider of custom communications for high-visibility clients who need clear, effective messages for presentation around the globe. The site targets primarily high-level political and corporate leaders, and/or their communications personnel, and accordingly provides relevant information on Vivien Ravdin Communications and its services. EyeArchitect conceptualized, designed, and developed a simple, clear, and elegant site that captures and reflects Vivien Ravdin Communications' approach and attitude. Winning Writers October 2003 - December 2005 http://www.winningwriters.com (navigational architecture, interface design, database design & programming, production) Winning Writers was seeking to establish itself as the ultimate resource for poets and writers on the web. EyeArchitect was asked to redesign their existing website, design and develop a database backend for their 650+ contest entries, and design and build content management administrative screens. The updated site has a professional, clean and navigable interface with a scalable structure for content that can be easily maintained by Winning Writers using minimal HTML via the administrative screens. CLF Ventures December 2001 - November 2005 (navigational architecture, interface design, production) The Conservation Law Foundation is the largest regional environmental advocacy organization in the United States. CLF Ventures is a non-profit venture arm of the Conservation Law Foundation that brings together environmental advocates and businesspeople to form effective partnerships and businesses capable of achieving meaningful environmental improvement. Yankee Rowe Site Closure - CLF Ventures is assisting the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Station with the non-radiological aspects of site closure by developing and implementing a comprehensive Site Closure Plan. EyeArchitect developed, designed and implemented a web site intended to be of assistance to those who have responsibilities for or, an interest in, the clean up and reuse of the 2,200-acre Yankee Rowe site. CLF Ventures - EyeArchitect is retained to consult on the on-going development of the CLF Ventures web site. Connecticut Yankee Land Conservation Project - CLF Ventures is assisting CY by exploring the donation of a portion of the plant's property to a government or non-profit entity for conservation. CY hired CLF Ventures to manage the land conservation project and CLF Ventures is implementing a multi-phase effort to support this process for which EyeArchitect designed the web site. Mileage based insurance pilot - EyeArchitect was approached by CLF Ventures to build a Web site for a mileage based insurance pilot that is aimed at reducing auto pollution and improving mass transit in Massachusetts. Sage River Partners, LLC December 2004 - July 2006 http://www.sageriverpartners.com (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Sage River Partners is a private investment firm established to acquire and operate small to medium-sized businesses. They were looking for a site that would reflect their positioning in the marketplace as an established, reliable and professional investment firm. Bristol Capital Advisors, LLC December 2003 - April 2004 http://www.bristolcompanies.net (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Bristol Capital Advisors, LLC is a California registered investment advisory firm that manages a private fund that has emerged as a prominent investor in "PIPE" transactions (private investment in public equities) in the United States. They approached EyeArchitect to create a site that will establish it as a recognized and professional investment services company. The site targets both institutional and institutional-caliber investors and accordingly provides relevant, and where mandated by law, secure information on the company and its activities. They wanted a simple site that reflected their geographical location (Los Angeles) and conveyed a sense of sophistication. They also wanted to be able to control access to the secure part of the site to qualified investors, so we created an administrative interface that enabled them to activate and de-activate users, track registered user activity and manage registrations. NROTC - Northwestern University and Illinois Institute of Technology January 2004 - September 2004 http://www.northwestern.edu/nrotc/ http://nrotc.iit.edu (navigational architecture, interface design, production, project management) The NROTC units of the Illinois Institute of Technology and Northwestern University needed web sites whose primary objective was to set the national standard of excellence for NROTC website recruiting, increasing numbers of NROTC scholarship freshman at NU and IIT for the classes of 2008 and 2009. The sites were built in various phases. Phase I of the project included the initial re-design, re-organization and building of the two web sites. Phase II will reach the sites' secondary objectives, which are to draw and connect ~100 students (midshipmen), 15 staff of which 7 are associate professors, and several 1000's of alumni and supporters - via relevant content ranging from recent events, photographs, class materials, schedules, alumni information, links and bi-annual newsletters and yearbooks. Clio Society - Northwestern University November 2002 - September 2003 Site no longer active (navigational architecture, interface design, production) The Clio Society, a student run organization at Northwestern University, wanted a Web site to announce upcoming events, society activities, society background and history. The target audience was primarily other students at Northwestern University. They wanted a simple, easy to navigate and elegant site that can scale over time to reflect the growth and activities of the society. The Mirror Project May 2000 - January 2007 http://www.mirrorproject.org (strategic positioning, navigational architecture, interface design, production) The Mirror Project teaches inner-city teenagers in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, to create videos about their everyday experiences. Through their participation in the project, young people from historically marginalized ethnic, racial and social groups become more aware of themselves and their community. EyeArchitect volunteers its services to The Mirror Project on an ongoing basis. EyeArchitect designed, architected and produced their Web site and continues to develop and implement Web strategies for them that will help bring awareness and educate people to the wonderful and dedicated work being done by The Mirror Project. Team Psycho November 2001 - September 2005 http://www.teampsycho.com (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Founded in 1991 as an informal group of four triathlon training partners in suburban Boston, Team Psycho has since become recognized as one of the most elite triathlon teams in the world. EyeArchitect was asked to develop a Web site that will attract future sponsors, highlight existing team members' race results and recruit future team members. EyeArchitect teamed up with MIT's class for computer science seniors, "Software Engineering for Internet Applications", and worked with two graduating seniors to build out the online community section of this site. Michelle Madden - Photographer July 2003 - August 2003 http://www.michellemadden.com (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Michelle Madden is a photographer who wanted a site that would display her portfolio of documentary, travel and fashion photography in a clean, professional and easy to navigate web site. The Swiss Society for Endodontology October 2002 - January 2004 http://www.endodontology.ch (navigational architecture, interface design, production) The Swiss Society of Endodontology (SSE), based in Bern Switzerland, needed a site whose primary objective was to establish its presence in the endodontology profession as a leading reference in its field. The site primarily targets its members as well as practitioners and researchers in the field. Its main objective was to draw and connect its target audience via relevant content ranging from articles, courses, conferences, and lectures that will promote research and teaching activity of endodontology at the highest standard. Taral Networks May 2003 - August 2003 Site no longer active (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Taral Networks needed a site that would reflect its updated content and positioning in the marketplace as a premier provider of carrier grade platforms to wireless operators to enable, maintain and manage a most successful content messaging business. The updated site needed a professional, clean and navigable interface with a structure for content that could be easily maintained and updated by Taral Networks staff. OpenAir.com March 2000 - April 2002 http://www.openair.com (information architecture, interface design, HTML production) OpenAir.com is a Professional Services Automation (PSA) solution that helps organizations improve operational efficiencies and gain insights into key management metrics. EyeArchitect was asked to re-structure and re-design the site to help reposition OpenAir from a small business focused site to an enterprise level software provider. The Borneo Company January 2000 - December 2003 Site no longer active (navigational architecture, interface design, production, PayPal e-commerce implementation) The Borneo Company is a small publisher specializing in titles relating to Borneo. Most of their books are published in Southeast Asia and are not available in the USA other than through this site. They approached EyeArchitect to create a site that will sell and display their wide variety of titles on plant or animal groups of interest to libraries, natural history book shops, scientists and ecotourists, as well as offer a place for Borneo enthusiasts to create discussion forums and share links to sites of interest. The American Museum of Natural History in New York January 2001 - February 2001 (User Experience Strategy) EyeArchitect was hired by the American Museum of Natural History in New York to develop a User Experience Strategy for their Digital Library Project. The Digital Library project seeks to integrate all AMNH collection-based information into a coherent digital information environment that will be freely available ina timely way to scientists, conservation biologists and educators worldwide. The initial collection to be used for the pilot phase is that of the Lang-Chapin Congo Expedition (1909-1915). This expedition was responsible for bringing back to the AMNH large amounts of information from specimen records, collecting/observational events, sampling data and collection methods to field notes, photographs, drawings and maps. The objective of the project is to make all the expedition's digitized information accessible in multiple formats and views that will meet the needs of a diverse target audience. marchFIRST - Boston (formerly USWeb/CKS) June 2000 - January 2001 (User Experience Strategy, Functional Specification) EyeArchitect was retained on a contract basis as the Senior Information Architect for marchFIRST's Boston office, a leading Internet professional services firm. EyeArchitect was brought in to work on a project for EFTours.com, a global company that escorts teachers, their students and individual travelers around the world to experience new countries and cultures. EyeArchitect was responsible for re-structuring the client's site into an innovative and comprehensive architecture, defining the User Experience Strategy and creating the Functional Specifications for the United States, United Kingdom and Canadian (both in English and French) sites. marchFIRST - New York (formerly USWeb/CKS) January 2000 - June 2000 (functional specification) EyeArchitect was retained on a freelance basis as a Senior Information Architect for marchFIRST, a leading Internet professional services firm. EyeArchitect was brought in to work on a project for a financial services research and consulting company. EyeArchitect was responsible for translating the client's requirements into a comprehensive site structure and providing the Functional Specification document for this project. BizBash.com April 2000 - June 2000 (strategic consulting, functional specification, design consulting) EyeArchitect was brought in to help BizBash develop a site that will establish its presence in the electronic marketplace as the first and authoritative online business-to-business site targeting the premium business event and business entertainment space. EyeArchitect was responsible for translating the client's requirements into a comprehensive site structure and providing the Functional Specification document for this project. Indulge.com April 2000 - May 2000 (strategic consulting) Indulge.com is a breakthrough in commerce that is less a store than a destination. It creates an online environment where emotions become the guide and where the relationship that develops is the one with oneself. EyeArchitect was retained to work with Indulge on high-level strategic implementation and information architecture for the site. John Wiley & Sons December 1999 - April 2000 (information architecture) J. Wiley & Sons develops, publishes, and sells products in print and electronic media for the educational, professional, scientific, technical, medical, and consumer markets worldwide. EyeArchitect was hired to map out, through the use of interface schematics and navigational flowcharts, the existing College and Catalog sites with the objective of determining elements of common functionality for use in the re-design of the site(s). Vertex Interactive December 1999 - May 2000 (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Vertex Interactive needed an overall corporate site that will establish it as a leader in the mobile computing and interactive transaction capture and processing industries. Through the combined market strength of three of their acquired company's respective products the site needed to clearly convey Vertex's vision and core competencies in the areas of wireless mobile computing, middleware, e-commerce and bar code data capture. L'Art de Vivre October 1999 - November 1999 (strategic content planning, navigational architecture) An established catalog that sells European luxury brands in the U.S. They hired EyeArchitect to work with them to redefine the way people shop on the Web through the use of innovative merchandising and cutting edge technology. EyeArchitect was responsible for translating the client's requirements into a comprehensive site structure and providing the functional specifications for this project. L'Art de Vivre is now merged with Indulge.com (see above). Madison RealTech October 1999 - November 1999 (navigational architecture, interface design, production) Madison RealTech is a company that develops comprehensive real estate lending and risk management software systems. EyeArchitect was brought in to create a Web site that gives an overview of their products and services. Contact Us Dariane Hunt EyeArchitect (978) 371-7543 info@eyearchitect.com