Architecture of bricks and clicks

June 2002

Architecture of bricks and clicks

Fu-tien Chiou, Genex, Los Angeles
www.genex.com

This presentation will examine the similarities and differences between traditional architecture and information architecture practices in the areas of

• Physical and web environments
• Building and web site types
• Occupants and users
• Constructive elements
• Design methodologies

Fu-tien will relate lessons that information architects can learn from the well defined, tried and tested processes of traditional architectural design. Looking ahead, it will address the importance of converging virtual and physical architecture in order to create a complete user experience.

Based in Los Angeles, Fu-tien is Information & Usability Architect for Genex. Fu-tien's responsibilities include setting up firm-wide information design and usability assessment process, introducing information architecture & user interface design, bringing the awareness of usability, and teaching a user-centered-design methodology. Fu-tien is a licensed architect with graduate degree in environment & human behavior. He has transferred his user experience design methodology in architecture and planning to the virtual environment. Fu-tien has led user experience design and assessment for hardware, software, and web development. Project types include banking, health care, automotive, manufacturing, .com start-ups, and corporate web sites.

Fu-tien is an active member of the following professional organizations: ACM-Computer Human Interaction (CHI), Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, and American Institute of Architects. As a human factors & usability expert, Fu-tien has frequently spoken in professional conferences about the subject. Being a native of Taiwan, he has deep understanding of cross culture user experience. Fu-tien holds a B. Arch from Ttunghai university in Ttaiwan and an M. Arch from Georgia Tech in the area of Environment & Human Behavior.