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Information Architect, McGill Digital Solutions
Sep 10 04
SUMMARY:
The Information Architect reports to a Group Manager. An Information Architect (IA) position focuses in three key areas: 1. Instructional design with an emphasis on thought leadership, systematic approach to solutions and adult learning principles. 2. Technical solutions with an emphasis on innovative technical solutions, collaboration and documentation. 3. Strong oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on clarity.
As an instructional designer, an Information Architect focuses time and expertise in support of program design and development by providing:
- Advice or guidance on learning principles for a target audience
- Advice on adult learning principles
- Input on effective pre-post assessment design
- Input on the design of program and performance assessment processes
As a technical solutions architect, an Information Architect will be closely involved in the usability of digital media. Working alongside a creative team, the IA plays a key role in designing functionality for interactive applications that engage the user and provide a user-friendly environment.
Overall responsibilities include assisting in the design, development, documentation, and quality assurance of all interactive solutions, working with the Group Manager, Project Managers, Clients, and Developers to define goals, requirements, functionality, navigation, interaction, project architecture, effective user interaction and usability testing.
The Information Architect also works hand and hand with the Design Team to generate ideas for the look and feel of the project, and to design innovative ideas for how a user will respond and interact with a given project.
KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:
- Provide instructional design leadership
- Provide guidance on a systematic approach to project:
- Needs or opportunities assessment
- Solutions, design, development and program evaluation
- Write clear and measurable project goals and objectives in alignment with organizational needs and business drivers
- Write, maintain, and monitor key project documentation and project flow
- Use partnership or collaboration with external and internal clients and other experts as required
DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plan and monitor instructional design process to ensure a successful completion of a project
- Provide input on the most appropriate and effective delivery system and format for projects
- Ensure instructional strategies are based on sound learning principles
- Ensure human interface interaction principles are applied to assigned projects
- Develop user models and user scenarios to ensure project design is user-centric
- Write production script (where appropriate)
- Conduct regular review of project content to ensure clarity and proper grammar and spelling
- Incorporate assessment tool/s to define the effectiveness of the program and/or learner progress
- Provide input to overall technical strategy and technical architecture of assigned projects with a particular focus on design and usability issues
- Help resolve key technical issues on projects by performing research and analysis of the problems and report findings to the project team
- Assure adherence to User Interface functionality through written documentation and rigorous follow-up.
- Perform project reviews using formative evaluative procedures during the construction portion of all assigned projects
- Manage Quality Assurance of all application types from a user interface perspective
- Act as a technical and information gathering liaison between the client and McGill during conceptual presentations, estimates and throughout the life of assigned projects
- Lead the Interactive Design team, to which assigned, in the adherence to functionality
- Collaborate with developers to validate the technical feasibility of solutions and to discover new solution options
- Facility internal team brainstorm sessions with creative designers and developers to generate innovative and/or inventive solutions in order to enhance cross-discipline idea exchange
- Ensure the overall quality of projects
- Review all scripts and assets prior to client approval process to ensure clients objectives are met
- Act as a guide for the client during content development with the assistance of an Interactive Designer
- Proactively research industry trends that can positively impact McGill and maintain an organized file on research topics
- Act as an advocate throughout life of a project to ensure the timely production while maintaining the highest quality
- Understand and follow all McGill Digital Solutions production procedures
- List the duties and responsibilities of the job, in order of importance
SKILL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Possess a working knowledge of:
- Instructional design and adult learning principles
- Human interface interaction principles
- Multiple learning styles and motivational constructs as they relate to adult learning
- Team dynamic leadership skills
- Able to analyze and comprehend content requirements
- Able to present concepts and work in progress to clients in a dynamic, proactive manner
- Able to provide leadership and focus in client meetings during the solution creation phase of the project
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Able to understand and grasp new software tools and practices quickly
- An understanding of Flash, Director, and web technology
- Fluent in MS Word and PowerPoint
- Excellent skills in Visio or other flowcharting software
- Understanding of usability testing procedures
- Understanding of the Unified Process, XP or other similar process methodologies and how they relate to Multimedia development
- Understanding of a wide range of technologies and methodologies for interface oriented software development beyond those actively used at McGill
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Diploma or Degree, preferably in areas such as instructional design, education, communications, technical writing, organizational behavior, information architecture, library science, cognitive science or human-computer interaction.
Please email your resume to ababcock@mcgill.com if you are interested and qualified for this role.