Content Architect
Hello! I’m Larry Swanson, a digital strategy and design professional who wants you to get the most value out of your content.
I focus on the foundational levels of content architecture:
- content strategy
- content modeling
- information architecture
When making content plans, it’s easy to focus on the web pages, app screens, and voice prompts that your readers and users see and hear. The practices I use design the intelligent content foundation on which you build those interactions and interfaces.
Content strategy
Content strategy gives you the business direction for your content efforts. You discover and articulate your content plans by aligning your customers’ needs and your organization’s goals.
Content modeling
Content modeling gives you a clear picture of your content. Visualizing and describing your content ecosystem before you build it brings it to life – and improves the lives of all involved.
Information architecture
Information architecture gives you a meaningful structure in which to organize, categorize, and label the components you use to build your websites, apps, and other content creations.
While my strong suit is in strategy, modeling, and information architecture, I also have several years of experience in interaction and interface design.
Content design
Content design gives you a way to assemble content components (words, pictures, recordings, etc.) and gather them into useful, usable assemblies for use in digital interactions.
UX writing
UX writing gives you a way to render and present content assemblies and interactions as attractive, helpful interfaces for web pages, app screens, voice utterances, and other interfaces.
These practices can improve any type of content program — an enterprise-wide initiative, a website, a SaaS or mobile app, a marketing program, a chatbot or voice assistant, etc. If you’re curious about how they fit in the overall field of digital design, take a look at how they align with the layers of UX model.
Content architecture is most impactful when applied in big enterprises, but SMBs, startups, nonprofits, and even the smallest independent businesses can benefit, too.
If you are creating or revisiting a content program, I’d love to help you build it on a strong foundation. Contact me here , book a Calendly appointment, or leave a voice mail at 206-428-7623 to get the conversation started.
Content Strategy Insights podcast
I host the Content Strategy Insights podcast, airing an interview approximately every other week. My guests have included many of the most accomplished practitioners and educators in the field. Recently I have begun to focus more on content modeling and information architecture conversations, but the show will always reflect my eclectic interests and generalist tendencies. I also have a page here that lists the content strategy and information architecture podcasts that I follow.
Community event organizing
I love bringing people together at community events. I am always organizing a conference, meetup, or other gathering. Currently I’m co-organizing the Content Strategy Seattle meetup and the 2022 World Information Architecture Day Phoenix and chairing the content graph programming track for the Knowledge Graph Conference. Previously, I have helped organize events like Utterly Content and Ignite Seattle.
Digital nomad
I’ve been a remote worker and a professional traveler for many years. I enjoy exploring new cities and countries and co-working wherever I visit. I’m very open to gigs and work opportunities that entail travel and/or relocation.
Samba and world music
In my spare time, I play the agogo bell and other small percussion for street samba groups. In Seattle, I play with the awesome community samba band, VamoLa! I’ve also played djembe and dunun for many West African and African-inspired dance classes.
