This is just one person's perspective... specific to the narrow niche of tech start ups, but the perception held is still valid (we tend towards deep instances over aggregates don't we?). As an interaction designer, user experience designer, information architect or just a designer... where do you see your place in this picture? Mark
The Hat List - Visionary/Architect. Idea generation, shape features, repositioning, market fit, competitive landscape, research. - Lead Developer(s). AKA Hackers. A good place to have a pair of jelled programmers. Uses web framework, creates functionality; knows Python/Ruby, Javascript, AJAX, Flash(?), HTML, databases. - Sysadmin. Network, web server, NFS (for VCS/file sharing), caching, other infrastructure, data backup, backup hardware, performance tuning, scalability. - Toolsmith. Team is provided with: productive development environments (all users can say “apt-get install …“), frameworks, editors, interpreters, multiple browsers, GIMP/Photoshop, (D)VCS, wiki, maybe BTS, quick training/consulting on tools/environment, continuous integration. - Webmaster. SEO, analytics, domain registration, site hosting, Apache/lighttpd. - DBA. Helps developers plan schema, set up tables, design for scalability, tuning/optimizing. - Graphic Artist. Color coordination, logos, icons, image libraries, etc. - CSS Designer. Usability, accessibility, layout, look-n-feel. - Content Creator. User-facing documentation, populate/organize wiki, design tutorial, usage studies. - Customer Support. Answers phones, forum voice, FAQs, knowledge base, help entries, problem solving. - Tester. Bangs on site, tries devious things, automates stress. - Marketer. Evangelism, blogging, advertising. - Manager. Coordinates all team member activities. - Lawyer. Business setup, guidance, law interpretation. - Chef. Handles all other (random) tasks to keep team functioning. Full posting: http://www.businessinsider.com/15-roles-every-startup-needs-filled-2009-3 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
