Information Architect - Interactive Media
Information Architects,1 interpret high-level requirements in order to design the overall user experience of an interactive media product.
The exact work involved can vary depending on the nature of individual projects, the size of team the Information Architect is part of, or the type of company he or she works for.
The role often overlaps with those of Designer2 and Producer3, especially where the Information Architect is working alone or in a very small team. This is a multi-disciplinary role that requires understanding of content, technology, interaction design and usability.
Information Architects tend to be employed in full-time permanent positions, but they are often also used on a freelance basis, especially as there is a shortage of experienced people.
What is the job?
The Information Architect analyses the product’s intended purpose, objectives, audiences and content in order to devise an appropriate solution - this will typically include organising content within the product, specifying navigation and functionality, and designing the layout of user interfaces.
The Information Architect must consider the product’s likely content, and plan ways to structure it logically so that it is easy to find. This may involve devising metadata schemas for classifying content, specifying file-naming conventions, and deciding how navigational links and buttons should be labelled.
He or she is also responsible for devising intuitive user interfaces that will allow the product’s users to find the information they need, or carry out tasks, as quickly and easily as possible.
This may involve thinking about typical users, analysing the different ways they might use the product, and mapping likely journeys through its content. Depending on the type of product being developed, the Information Architect may also need to decide – in detail – how end-user features, such as web forms or login procedures, should operate.
This involves designing systems to ensure that the product always responds appropriately to user interaction, and may involve writing copy for error messages and other notices.
The Information Architect usually documents his or her design decisions in the form of site maps, wire-frame diagrams and written specifications.
These may serve both as a brief for the Designer and as a blueprint for technical development. The Information Architect will often also be closely involved in prototyping and usability testing.
Typical career routes
The job tends to be divided into various levels of seniority, based mostly on experience. As a general rule, junior Information Architects will usually be mostly concerned with content, typically developing site maps and classification systems. In more senior positions, the role is also concerned with interactivity and system functionality.
There are no typical career routes, but Information Architects generally come from a background in a discipline such as interaction or graphic design, library and information science, computer science, usability engineering, journalism, marketing or psychology.
At least two or three years’ prior experience in interactive media, typically in a Designer or Developer role, is usually required. Experienced Information Architects may progress into Producer roles or may move into broader product design work.
Essential knowledge and skills
Information Architects need to have extremely strong analytical, organisational, communication and documentation skills. They must also be able to think creatively and generate original ideas.
They need to be able to work with specialists from other disciplines, particularly Designers and Developers, and should be able to communicate complex processes clearly. A solid understanding of the principles of interaction design and of users and usability is essential.
They must understand the inter-relations between content, technology and design, and have a pragmatic outlook in balancing technical constraints with the product’s purpose and the expectations of its intended users.It is often a client-facing role, so good presentation and communication skills, and a certain amount of diplomacy, are required.
Key Skills include:
Most Information Architects will have at least a Bachelor’s Degree, often in a traditional arts or humanities subject.
However, because the interactive media industry is so young, and information architecture is a relatively new field, many have picked up the necessary skills through experience.
This tends to be valued more highly than specific qualifications, and being able to provide examples of previous interactive media work is essential.
Because the role requires combinations of creative and technical thinking, studying for a dual- or multi-subject degree – especially one that combines arts, humanities and science faculties – can be highly worthwhile. Specialist degree courses in information architecture are also becoming available.
Glossary
Metadata: data about data; usually keywords that are added to content to describe or classify it.
Interface: often used synonymously with ‘page’ or ‘screen’ to refer to what the user sees on-screen; it can also be used more specifically to refer to the controls via which the user interacts with the product, such as buttons, links, form fields etc.
Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset’s website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is the UK’s only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.
Websites
British Interactive Multimedia Association: www.bima.co.uk/
New Media Knowledge: www.nmk.co.uk
Boxes and Arrows: www.boxesandarrows.com
A List Apart: www.alistapart.com
The Zen Garden: www.csszengarden.com
PublicationsNew Media Age Magazine - New Media Age
Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Rosenfeld & Morville, O’Reilly, ISBN1-56592-282-4
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Information Architect - Interactive Media
1 As with most roles in interactive media, actual job titles tend to vary considerably. This role is sometimes also referred to as User Experience Architect.
2 The Designer role is about designing the overall look and feel of the product – at it’s simplest this is a case of visually ‘skinning’ a wire-frame design produced by the Information Architect; in more senior roles, or in smaller teams, the Designer is more likely to be involved with devising interactivity and information flow, hence the roles often overlap or are merged.
3 The Producer role is about ensuring the overall business vision and creative direction for the product are identified and maintained. This role may also be called Project Director, Project Leader, Creative Director etc. and is often merged with Project Manager.
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