User experience (UX) design can encompass the full spectrum of a users' impressions and interactions with a given brand. UX design can also suggest an emphasis on the creation of new and interesting experiences by way advanced design solutions that are tailored to an organisation's unique identity.
The role of the information architect (IA) tends to focus on the web usability aspects of a design, with it's emphasis being to present the right information and functionality, in the right place, at the right time, in the right way.
Whilst much of my experience within the UX field fits the title of information architect, other roles have included wider ranging considerations that make the role title of UX designer more appropriate. To some, these 2 role titles are interchangeable and equate to the same thing.
Whatever your views on the definition of these 2 roles, the following is a list of the core elements that make up my skills and experience within this area:
- Production of UX specification documentation, core elements of which are personas, task based journeys, sitemap(s), and wireframes (using Visio, Axure, InDesign, or Illustrator).
- User centred design (UCD)
- User testing
- Interaction design
- Visual design
More specific aspects of my work as a UX designer / IA include:
- Navigation design
- Usability reviews of existing sites
- Overseeing the implementation of accessibility checklists and guidelines
- Oversee the integration of 3rd party solutions into the overall design solution so that the information architecture and usability standards remain in tact.
- Liaise with Business Analysts (BA), analyze their requirements documentation, and then convert their inputs into a user focused design solution
- Ensure that design solutions take technical opportunities and constraints into account based on the in-house and 3rd party platforms and technologies
- Auditing and logging current site content
- Meet with client focused business departments to discuss user types and user issues (including customer service phone teams)
- Aquire and absorb relevent user data from marketing and other departments
- Analysis of user terminology and then factoring the findings into a robust information architecture and powerful search engine optimisation plan (SEO).
- Creation of information architecture designs for whole websites, individual sections of websites, tools within a website
- Choosing most relevent CMS templates and template modules for a design project
- Requesting and overseeing the development of refinements to template modules
- Testing the functionality of re-designed web pages and CMS templates and requesting improvements/enhancements from technical teams
- Redesign core sales focused pages for enhanced usability
- Writing web copy where required
- Taking repsonsibility for site wide labelling and other sign posting related messaging
- Creation of content matrix detailing existing pages
- Running re-design scoping and strategy workshops with stakeholders
- The creation of wireframes for Flash based movie players (Live video, pre-recorded video and UGC) and other interactive elements.
If you'd like any additional informations about the skills and experience I've gained during my career as a user experience designer please do get in touch.
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