What I Done
I structure information and build interfaces so that people can make sense of things and get stuff done.
What box can I put that in?
Some labels that fit me
- Information Architect
- Creative Technologist
- UX Designer
- Full-stack Developer
- Librarian/Archivist
- User/Content Advocate
Guiding design criteria
- Meets the actual need
- Efficient and easy to use
- Manageable, Maintainable
- Cost effective (positive ROI)
- Conveys potential value
- Faithful to identity
If you want to see concrete samples of paid work, please contact me for case studies. I don't present design without context; it doesn't work with stakeholders, it doesn't work in portfolios.
Ok, but what do you actually do?
As a web generalist, who uses information technology to solve unique problems, what I do varies, but has included the following...
Project Definition and Planning
I ask questions to ensure that work requests match actual business goals.
If your project isn't pointless, you should be able to articulate concrete, achievable goals.
Because I said so!
User Needs Analysis and Testing
I do user research and testing so that there is a valid basis for decisions.
You have to investigate actual behavior to find out what people really need.
When you assume...
Content Strategy and Management
I put together infrastructure for saying something of value, consistently.
You can't structure or deliver content if you haven't got any. Lorem ipsum stupidum.
Where's the beef?
Project Management
I keep track of all the parts that have to come together, to make the whole.
Project management is largely about maintaining communication channels.
T-t-t-telephone
Back and Front-End Development
I can structure and build it, whatever that might be, from top to bottom.
Design is easy. Effecting change is the hard part...along with technical implementation.
A series of tubes?
Library & Archives Development
I get along with content-rich environments, in all their messy complexity.
I have a recent MIS from a top-tier ALA-accredited school, in case you care about that.
Show me the money!
In Summary
I ask why, as in why would you?
This often includes user research, market analysis, and testing so that there is a valid basis for decisions.+
We figure out how, as in how should you?
I plan and manage efforts, so that they are feasible, strategic, and successful, despite the realities of organizations that might drive development to disaster.+
I make it happen, and keep happening.
I design and code maintainable systems to facilitate connection and goal accomplishment and to encourage desired behaviors.
By the way, expecting a single person to take on all of these activities results in
conflicts of interest and inadequate focus; it does not yield anything like
optimal
results. However, I've come up with some mitigating safeguards to adhere to when taking on multiple roles.
Why You Should Do It Too
So you don't get fleeced, waste resources, miss the boat, appear or become irrelevant, cause suffering, generate ill will, and fail spectacularly.