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Information Architect, JWT Detroit Digital
Feb 18 05
Source: Direct Submission
What it is:
The Information Architect is the main person responsible for architecting the digital user experience for JWT Detroit Digital clients. The IA plays a central, facilitating role within a cross-disciplinary team, working with all team members to produce research-based B2C marketing Web sites.
In the course of a project, the IA works closely with JWT Clients, the Director of Engineering, Engineers, Associate Creative Directors, Account Representatives, Art Directors, Writers, and Project Managers.
The IA will also work more generally with the Sr. Information Architect, the Sr. Creative Director, and the Director of Project Management.
What you do:
The IAs primary work is strategic and analytical in nature and focuses on the planning and definition phases of projects but follows through all phases of the development cycle.
This work results in usable Web sites through the development of tactical, tangible documentation to be used by design, engineering, and quality assurance teams, and the IA advances this documentation through all stages of development.
The IA:
Works with clients and internal teams to gather business and project objectives and define project scope, and then translates these objectives into functional requirements.
Works closely with designers to implement sound information architectures and information design principles.
Works through and brings clarity to complex issues and presents clearly articulated solutions for the team to act upon.
Creates and maintains documentation such as competitive site analyses, user personas, site architectures, functional templates (wireframes), process flows, page inventories, and nomenclature inventories.
Works with Metrics to analyze metrics data and addresses changes to architectural designs.
Participates in the integration of new technologies as needed and helps determine the benefits of such technologies for both client and agency.
Conducts regular, extensive Competitive Reviews and stays on top of competitive marketplace conditions.
Works with the JWT Research Team to collect customer data and demographics and turn that information into action items for Web site enhancements.
Works with the clients and internal teams to define, plan, and schedule user testing activities.
Provides timing estimates and status updates to Project Management.
Acts as a liaison between creative and engineering to ensure site architecture and functionality get delivered according to specifications.
Directs freelance and outside vendors as needed in the development of architectural production.
What you need:
At least 3 years of experience designing consumer, front-end Web site information architectures.
Knowledge of usability heuristics and principles.
Knowledge of information hierarchy principles.
A sound understanding of graphic design principles and information design issues.
A strong understanding of programming, relational database design, and cross-platform development and their effect on front-end architecture and design development.
A strong understanding of HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, consumer data integration, and various multimedia applications such as Flash.
An understanding of Web site marketing.
Bachelors degree preferred.
Exceptional analytical, verbal, and written communication skills -- including business communication skills -- in order to negotiate, sell ideas, facilitate, and communicate within a project team.
Self-motivation in order to work well within a directional, semi-autonomous environment.
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work within budgets in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in MS Office
Alan Robertson
Human Resource Specialist
J. Walter Thompson-Detroit
500 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
t +1 313 964 3579
e alan.robertson@jwt.com