My Approach to Instructional Design
I approach instructional design with a focus on how people understand, retain, and apply information in real contexts. It comes down to how content is structured, what learners are expected to do with it, and how clearly it is understood and applied. That’s what determines whether learning actually sticks.
My work is guided by a combination of Backward Design, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and a flexible, iterative use of ADDIE. I define what someone should be able to do by the end, intentionally consider the level of thinking required, and use that to shape interactions that support real application.
I draw on principles from UX to shape how those experiences are delivered. This shows up in how I structure information, design interactions, and reduce cognitive load so learners can focus on what actually matters.
Visual design is a big part of how I work. It helps guide attention, reinforce meaning, and make complex ideas easier to understand.
I design learning experiences that are clear, practical, and built to be used.
Below is a selection of work that reflects this in practice.
Aligning Cross Functional Teams Around an Enterprise Design System
This course focuses on how governance, ownership, and adoption actually work across cross functional teams, not just how design
systems are defined.
Role: Instructional Designer
Tools: Articulate Rise 360
Audience: Product designers, developers, and cross functional
partners working in enterprise environments
What this course covers
- What an enterprise design system is and why large teams need one
- How governance defines ownership and decision making
- How teams adopt and sustain consistent use across products
The problem
Design systems often exist, but teams don’t consistently use them.
Ownership is unclear, contributions are inconsistent, and product experiences start to drift.
The approach
I structured this course around real points of failure in enterprise environments. Instead of focusing only on definitions, the content connects governance, ownership, and adoption to how teams actually work.
The outcome
The course gives learners a clear mental model for how design systems function across teams and how to apply that structure in practice.
Giving Feedback That Leads to Action
This course focuses on how to make feedback clear, usable, and actionable so it actually moves work forward.
Role: Instructional Designer
Tools: Articulate Rise 360
Designers, product partners, and anyone involved in review cycles
Audience: Teams and individuals operating in environments where clear, actionable feedback is critical to progress
What this course covers
- What makes feedback usable versus vague
- Why unclear feedback slows down progress
- How to structure feedback so people can act on it immediately
The problem
Feedback often lacks clarity or direction. It sounds helpful on the surface, but leaves too much open to interpretation, which leads to rework, delays, and frustration.
The approach
I broke feedback down into a simple structure that focuses on three things: what the issue is, why it matters, and what should change.
The course uses practical examples to show how small shifts in phrasing can make feedback significantly more effective.
The outcome
Learners walk away with a clear way to give feedback that reduces ambiguity and leads to faster, more confident decisions.
Translating Complex Ideas for Non-Experts
This course focuses on turning complex concepts into something clear, usable, and relevant without losing meaning.
Role: Instructional Designer
Tools: Articulate Rise 360
Audience: Individuals responsible for making complex information understandable and usable
What this course covers
- How to simplify complex ideas without oversimplifying
- How to structure information for clarity and flow
- How to communicate in a way that actually lands
The problem
Complex ideas are often communicated in ways that assume too much prior knowledge. As a result, important information gets lost, misunderstood, or ignored.
The approach
This course focuses on clarity as a design skill. It breaks down how to reframe, structure, and present information so it meets people where they are.
The outcome
Learners gain practical techniques for making complex ideas easier to understand and more effective in real world communication.