The IA You See When You Can't Read the Language

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

A trip to Mexico and being surrounded by airport signs in Spanish highlighted the importance of the information architecture of travel for the author. Indicators of airport terminals, trains and trams were less than clear for those with limited language skills. Airport arrivals and departures were not designated or organized in familiar ways. Using one's own phone on another country's network was complicated. The confusing differences created stress, forced decision making despite uncertainty, and prompted a desire to hide ignorance with a confident appearance. Emotion became a significant factor navigating through the unfamiliar environment of both textual and nontextual cues. Information architects should be mindful of the information they present verbally and graphically and consider the potential for confusion and emotion interfering with their message.