IA, UX, and you

I’ve always seen digital products as living things. Information Architecture (IA) is the skeleton—how everything is organized, labeled, and laid out. It’s the map that says, “Put ‘Account’ here, ‘Help’ there,” so users don’t wander in circles. UX, though? That’s the soul—the full experience of moving through it. It’s the ease of a click, the relief of finding what you need, and the vibe of the whole journey. IA builds the structure; UX makes it breathe.

For a UX writer, this split’s gold. Words straddle both worlds. IA leans on you to name things right—think menu labels like “Settings” versus “Preferences.” Get it wrong, and users stumble before they start.

UX pulls you wider. You’re crafting microcopy—“Next” or “Continue”?—that nudges users along, smoothing friction IA can’t touch. It’s less about where things sit and more about how they feel. A signup form’s structure might be IA’s call, but the “Welcome aboard!” confirmation? That’s UX.

The kicker is balance. Lean too hard into IA, and your writing’s dry—think robotic labels with no pulse. Obsess over UX without IA, and you’ve got charming chaos—great vibes, no direction. I’ve learned to start with IA’s clarity, and then layer in UX’s warmth. As a UX writer, you’re the bridge, turning a skeleton into something alive. Words don’t choose sides—they tie the two together, guiding users with every syllable.