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.
Specifically, I can help you with:
- content in and for design systems
- structured content for composable experiences
- content modeling for decoupled/headless CMSs
- metadata strategy for search, personalization, content federation, and similar initiatives
I’m a systems-thinking word nerd, compulsive organizer, and full-stack content architect.
I approach my work like a service designer, focusing on evidence-based customer journey mapping, collaborative ideation based on research insights, and rapidly prototyping and iterating to find the right solution(s) to implement.
I’ve helped organizations of all sizes get the most out of their content — from enterprises like LinkedIn and Expedia to SMBs, nonprofits, and startups.
A recent assessment for a team workshop listed (accurately, I and my teammates think) attributes and skills that I bring to any team or project:
- Influences others by his infectious enthusiasm
- Maintains a steady and calm aura
- Uses his highly developed relationship skills
- Is seen as a good team builder
- Works equally well one on one or with groups
- Provides humor and companionship
To learn more about me, please visit my portfolio and resume pages.
Intelligent content for the modern web
My work focuses on the intelligent content foundation on which you can build modern omnichannel interactions, multimodal interfaces, and personalized experiences.
Content strategy
Content strategy provides the business direction for your content efforts. Discover and articulate your content plans by aligning your customers’ needs and your organization’s goals.
Content modeling
Content modeling paints a clear picture of your content. Visualizing and describing your content ecosystem before you build it brings it to life and helps you and your collaborators understand what you’re working with and how it’s connected.
Information architecture
Information architecture gives you a meaningful structure in which to organize, categorize, and label the structured content components you use to build your websites, apps, and other content creations.
Content design
Content design provides 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 helps you render and contextualize content elements in 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.
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 +1 206-428-7623 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-chairing the content track for the Knowledge Graph Conference and co-organizing the Decoupled Days conference. Previously, I have helped organize events like the Content Strategy Seattle meetup, Utterly Content, WordCamp Seattle, 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.
