In Advanced Web Architecture we have taken up the responsibility of working in teams toward the production of a veterinary clinic’s website. I’ve never worked with others on something like this before, so it will be a real learning experience.

What sorts of roles are there in these groups? I used this handy article as a reference.

Project Director/Manager: While I am totally in favor of democracy, having one person have the last say and general manager of the project would keep things moving much smoother than relying on each person to keep up communication, timing and standards.

Chief Designer: This person would most likely have the keenest sense of visual design and would be responsible for things like mockups and graphics. My team for this assignment will be sharing this responsibility.

Programmer/Developer: This person would have a better handle on the technical aspects of the website, and once given the visual design and bare bones, could bring it to the next level with more complex coding and various extras such as logins, store capabilities, integration of sound and video, etc.

Peons: I’ve found that the majority of job listings for graphic design firms are “assistant” positions, aka responsible dirty work for the above. Minor graphics, basic coding jobs and coffee running are good examples of their work.

If one of these team members doesn’t pull his/her own weight the result could be rather catastrophic to the whole, especially as each person has his/her own specialty unfulfilled by the others. Having a project director/manager would be essential in this case, as that person could have the power to whip the slacker into shape or find a replacement when they first begin to slide.

We haven’t chosen a design to work from yet, but here’s my contribution: