How I design
After 15+ years, my approach to learning design is still grounded in the same idea. Start with what people need to do, then use a mix of learner insight, business needs, and data to design the most effective path to get them there. Five principles guide my approach to every project.
I design around the people who actually need to use the learning. Whether that's a new hire figuring out where things are, a field technician trying to fix something before the next call, or a new agent walking into their first client meeting. Understanding who they are, what they need to do, and where they may get stuck helps me create experiences that feel relevant and useful. Learning doesn't have to look one way to work, it just has to fit the person using it.
I design learning experiences where people have to do something instead of just clicking through slides. I put people into real situations, like working through a client issue, making a decision, or figuring out what to do next, so the learning feels relevant to their job. Rather than giving them all the information upfront, I give them a reason to go find what they need. They learn by working through the problem, just as they would on the job.
I believe learning should be fun, give people choices, and create experiences that stick. I use game elements, themes, and stories when they add something to the experience. A good story can give learners context and a reason to care about what comes next, while game mechanics can give them a chance to make decisions, test an approach, and see what happens. The goal isn't to add points or badges just for the sake of it. It's to make the learning feel more active, relevant, and worth their time.
Good visual design should make content easier to follow, not get in the way. Too many colors, fonts, or animations can distract from learning instead of supporting it. I aim to strike a balance between content with a clear purpose and visuals that reinforce it, not decorate it. When the design works, people can actually focus on what they're there to learn.
I don't want to guess whether learning is working. I use assessment results, learner feedback, and other available data to see what's landing, where people are struggling, and what needs to change. I build assessments around what people actually need to know or do, so results show whether they're ready to apply it or where the design still needs work.
Take a look at what I offer, or reach out directly.