Antonella Pastore

Chief Information Architect
Chief Online Editor
antonella.pastore@ikonosnewmedia.com

Role at IKONOS

At IKONOS I'm engaged on the strategic side of communication and content definition of our projects.

As an information architect, I start from defining or getting enough information about the goals and intended users of a Web site, a CD-ROM, a presentation.

From here, I move on to analyse the content and functionalities, and sometimes actually author the content itself.

Then, I organize it into a number of groups and areas, decide how they relate to each other and draw maps and blueprints, so that the structure of information and the paths users can take through the information are displayed as if it were the plan of a house.

When I do this, I always try to put myself in the shoes of those who will use the site or the CD-ROM, by clearly understanding why they should be doing it, what they are looking for, what their information needs and goals are. Of course, we always plan for testing: even if on a small scale, with a limited number of users, we try to get as much feedback as possible since the early stages of design.

Since I've started with IKONOS, I have focussed on content and communication but always in different roles.

The great thing about working in the new media sector is that it gives you so many chances for evolution and change, that you really get to prove all of your skills and acquire new ones. And this is the path I've been following over the last years, and that is reflected in the diverse contributions I gave to some of IKONOS' most challenging projects.

Background

A linguist and translator by training, I've had the chance to make a solid experience in corporate communications first, and then in Internet-related projects.

Although apparently unrelevant to each other, a common thread seems to link my past experience with languages, cultures, corporate writing and research. They all proved extremely useful when I found myself in a field that requires multiple disciplines and skills.

Projects completed
as Information Architect:

FAO Fisheries Department - Report on FAO Fisheries Web site information architecture
Researched the Department"s communication strategy with the purpose of redesigning the Department"s Web site information architecture. Produced all related maps and content guidelines for each of the major site areas

FIGIS - Content inventory, identification and definition of knowledge objects and topic tree for the transition of the Fisheries Web site into a content management system based on FIGIS architecture and technology

FAO SDAR Participation Web site
Researched and advised on the information architecture of the search functionality on an online database of methodological Field Tools aimed at supporting researchers and development project teams working on the field

MasterNewMedia Knowledgebase
Contributed to the development of the knowledgebase categories focussed on a selection of topics relevant to new media communication professionals, trainers, designers, communication and publishing managers.

as Online Editor and Researcher

Convention on Biological Diversity - CHM CD-ROM Toolkit
Wrote and edited the contents of the CHM Toolkit: software tutorials, info sheets, navigation cues, CD-ROM package

FAO Fisheries Department - Fisheries and Aquaculture Online
Authored a comparative research on 120 Web sites on fisheries and aquaculture, aimed at analysing and reporting on their information architecture, page design, interactive functionalities with the purpose of establishing a set of quality benchmarks specific to communication effectiveness of "competitors" of the Fisheries Department

IFAD - Presentation of household food security and gender strategy
Authored the screen content of the presentation aimed at communicating and promoting IFAD"s poverty alleviation strategy in its member countries

FAO FIGIS - FIGIS Showcase
Authored the copy and the information architecture of an interactive presentation on FIGIS, an international program aimed at establishing a single entry point to data, research and statistics on fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. Authored the content and structure of the associated print brochure

MasterNewMedia
Collaborated to communication strategy definition and content writing of the MasterNewMedia Web site

as Project manager

Managed several projects of interface design, Web site and interactive presentation development

as Training designer

Cooperated to the definition and development of training modules in information and communication technology

Cooperated to the development and delivery of live presentations held by IKONOS staff at several KULT international workshops organised by the World Bank Institute.

Skills, goals and mission

While I take some time to sharpen my personal marketing strategy, you can have a look at what I want my professional profile to look like at the moment: I want to be an information architect specialised in content management.