career path advice
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- threadpost
I got into this game about 9 years ago. I've worked for a few agencies, a few in-house teams and freelance.
On my resume I've been:
production artist
web designer
sr. designer
art director
sr. ui designer
sr. project manager
sr. producer
anyhow, in my current job I've been given a few options as to the path I want to take. I really dig the nuts and bolts of a project, I dig design but I'm also realistic in knowing I will never be one of the best designers in the world.
Knowing this, and having a firm understanding of how projects get done: the technical, the production, the art, the management, the client relations, managing teams etc. I've been given the option of Sr. Information Architect (manager).
My 5 year plan would be to be an e-commerce director or principal at an agency. My question is, do you think this new path as info architect gets me closer to those goals, or should I stick to the design side?
Sorry for such a long post. One more ?, I work in LA for a company of 1000+, what would you expect that title should be compensated? AIGA salary calculator wasn't much help in this arena.
btw, I'm a regular on this site, but used a new name to try to stay a bit anonymous.
- version30
btw, I'm a regular on this site, but used a new name to try to stay a bit anonymous.
threadpost
(Jan 24 07, 17:42)doesn't really scream of honesty, so I'll just say, who the hell are you?
- edd-e0
I'm a regular on this site, but used a new name to try to stay a bit anonymous.
threadpost
(Jan 24 07, 17:42)well since you stared the game...
are you version3?
- threadpost0
I hide behind a new handle cause many of my co-workers and bosses are also fans of this site.
Version 4, I should mention that you have been a real dick to me on most everything I've ever posted on here :)
I hope you can get passed the handle, and help with the question?
- edd-e0
so intriguing!!!
who are you??
- morilla0
hmmmm, I don't know. You do know what this position consits of right? The total opposite of anything design related.
But to answer your question, I think it could helpto learn. But in the long run I don't think it will be necessary.
- threadpost0
Well its not totally opposite of anything design related, rather more focused on UI and user experience, stupid buzz words I know. My thought was, were I to take this position, it could only help to build a strong foundation for my path toward being the director. I think its important to be well versed in the data, application, presentation and business layers of the online experience.
As I said before, I'm not the worlds best designer, I'd like to think I can recognize good design when I see it, but I feel like if I continue to concentrate on being purely a designer I will plateau on both my earning potential and my job satisfaction.
cheers mates.
- joyride0
sr. info architect is a good title for a resume builder. And it is relative to the long term goal. From my understanding the Architect of a project is involved heavily from the beginning. Proof of concepts, choosing the technologies used, how it will work functionally. Then you hand it off and make sure it gets done. I think it's a move towards the goal. good luck
- version30
hmm, me a dick? that doesn't mean i don't like you. so know that first and foremost.
I've had this conversation with a close friend of mine just recently whilst in LA actually.
here's what we came up with:
1. what matters?
(schedule, freedom, creativity)2. what do you enjoy?
(making, directing, firing, exploring, experimentation)3. who cares?
(got a family to be concerned with, something outside the profession driving you?)4. forget about money it's worthless
(seriously, money is only as valuable as you make it. it won't buy happiness, quite the opposite actually if you try to make it)I'm being serious, these are things you need to consider, i don't see your 5 year goal as necessary, if you wanted to be doing that you could attain your position with in the year. You'll get as much out of it as you put in it. Your goals are a new resume and online portfolio away.
we are visual communicators seeking to draw in clients for our customers, now simply view yourself as the client and your potential employer as the end client, prepare something that tells them you want to be doing something else, do just say "here's what I did for them" but now say "here's what I can and will do for you"
i only avoid your questioning as it seems you are dependent on other peoples input for assistance in making your decision. to me that shows a sign of indecisiveness and possibly weakness, which to me does not denote the need for a position where you will be in charge of anyone let alone a team.
I hope that wasn't too dickish for you to not see my point
- threadpost0
Thank you joyride2, you have reinforced what I had been hoping to hear!
- morilla0
it will definately help to know, don't get me wrong. But can you handle that gig day to day 9-5?
As far as not being design related I was meaning towards the visual aspect of design.
- version30
*don't just say*
- JSK0
tp
i am still confused of what you want to do.
better question would be, do you want to stay on client side or agency side (service side)
if you want to make a path in UE/UI, consider taking classes in human computer interaction. For best result to learn on job, don't do any ad agency related or marketing based jobs. Think of shops that specialize in UE/UI with multiple channel rather than just web.
a place like Frog design would be an awesome place. Their UE main office in Austin. And also IDEO.
Another good places would be Apple / Microsoft in their product dev. Both places will have higher learning in UE.
one thing you shouldnt do is stay some client side company who has web presence. Some banks are pretty good with UE such as BoA but most client side lack drive to find the next step ahead
- threadpost0
Thanks V4, you make some good points. I might add that it isn't a matter of indecisiveness, I've managed large scale teams and projects for years. It's just that this is a real cross roads. I only throw it out here to gather opinions and hopefully some experiences from people in similar situations.
But thank you, I appreciate your taking the time to give an honest response.
- JSK0
or go in to more IT consulting side.
such as Sapient
- JSK0
or even at Razorfish, they have seem to turn more in to IT consulting side
- JSK0
one thing you should do is.. pick a path.. i have had different job like management consultant and UE strategist, but i picked a path and have been sticking to it for last 4 years, i also have 5 year goal of sticking with marketing. moved away from UE.
if you like UE stick with UE. O other great companies for UE would be Yahoo and Google.
- JSK0
ok now i am going back to sleep
- joyride0
Now I will stand on my soapbox.
You'll be in a position of power and/or looked to for guidance. Don't dictate, teach! The team will look to you for answers. Make sure you know them, or be honest and say, I'll you'll need to figure it out.
I've had a lot of crappy managers, owners, co-workers, but very few really great ones. But the great ones all share a common trait. They always know what to do and always understand situations and deal with them smartly. Please be a great one!!!! Get a book, find a mentor, or do what ever you need to do to be a great one. If you're serious about the end goal, it will all be worth it. Again, good luck!
- threadpost0
what scares me a bit about leaning too far toward the IT side, is that so much of that work is being outsourced to India, and will shortly be going to China too.
So, the goal (my goal) will be to work for a large scale full service agency, as account executive, online director, director of operations etc.
does that help answer your question?
I enjoy the game, and in each phase I've met some really great people. People who I would eventually like to start our own full service agency with. I'm doing my best to learn as much as possible as fast as I can.
But god knows its hard to try to hussle work, produce work, handle clients expectations, grow a business, market and sell it well all as a one man team, the reason I haven't gone full speed in that direction yet.
- joyride0
lol... i just wrapped up a project where 75% of my team was in india. Good people, but expect to tell them exactly what to do. I tried teaching and it just didn't work. They really needed to be told what to do. And BTW, our studies figured out it was cheaper to have our india team redo a project 5 times then to pay people in the US to do it 1 time. =( Don't worry the IT side is still fun. You'll find a way to be creative, and the higher ups will find a way to get that creativity involved. Good companies breed good people.