The best way to start learning the needed skills is to map out a Web site and see the different ways there are to express how the site ties together. Then illustrate those different paths in a clear and concise format. However, any education that emphasizes the organization and presentation of information is going to be helpful. For example, a design, journalism or computer science degree with an emphasis on user interface would be a good starting point. The Web development community is becoming more and more specialized every day.
Information architects come from many different areas of Web development.
Former designers, engineers, producers and HTML coders are now information architects. Well thought out Web design targets a specific user group. Whether you are building a business tool for your users, an e-commerce site or an entertainment venue, you want the finished product to be easy to use and understand. Your product will be something the user has never seen before. It's important to be able to get into your audience's head and produce something that they're going to be comfortable with.