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Can a few visuals completely transform the way we learn? 🤔

Turns out, yes — if they’re done right. 🎨✨

In our latest #LDExplorersPodcast, Connie Malamed from @elearningcoach joins us to explore:

🎙️ How visuals enhance understanding & retention
🎙️ Choosing the right visuals for gn mistakes & how to avoid them
🎙️ How to sharpen your visual design skills
🎙️ Gathering feedback to improve your designs

📺 Watch the full episode: goskills.com/Resources/mast…

Let's connect there! Better vibes.

I got very curious about curiosity recently and slogged through a lot of research articles to find relevant tidbits. I found strategies to spark curiosity in adult learners > theelearningcoach.com/elearning_desi…

iSpring is having a Course Creation Contest for both new and professional course designers and creators. Sign up till February 17th, & you’ll have access to their authoring tool through March 11th. Easy to learn the tool > ispri.ng/RyJ9v.

Perhaps the most important aspect of productivity is working with greater intention. Here are some ways to do that > theelearningcoach.com/business/how-t…

One of the simplest (and most fun) ways to learn about visual design is to deconstruct the designs you come across on websites, magazines, posters, junk mail, billboards, television, etc.

It doesn't matter if it's advertising, informational, or educational.

1. What is the purpose of the design?

2. What message does the designer want to communicate?

3. What visual elements make up the design (images, shapes, type, space)?

4. What techniques will ensure viewers get the message?

5. What is the visual hierarchy?

6. What color palette did the designer choose? Why? How does it make me feel?

7. What are the characteristics of the typeface? What does it communicate?

8. What types of imagery did the designer use? Why?

9. What is something that works that I can try?

10. What doesn't work?

Not all instructional designers realize that sketching is another way to think. It's problem-solving in action.

With a simple vocabulary of lines, shapes, arrows and stick figures, you can explore lots of design ideas. In the act of sketching, you may notice new possibilities.

For me, it feels like new pathways are opening up.

These are initial ideas. No one needs to see your sketches.

A common approach in design classes is to create thumbnail sketches.

Draw 6 to 9 small rectangles per page in your sketch pad.

Fill them in with your ideas. Take the best ones and refine them. Then go back to your computer.

Happy New Year! Talking a lot about visual design for learning design this year. At least one shade of gray always has a place in my palette.
1. Gray is neutral
2. Gray supports the focal point
3. Gray has many variations
4. Gray calms down busy designs
5. Gray fits many styles

More reasons to love gray here > theelearningcoach.com/elearning_desi…

Educational Technology is another path into the world of becoming a learning professional. Matt Campbell explains the field and how to break in > theelearningcoach.com/podcasts/86/

Educational Technology is another path into an instructional design or related career. I spoke to an Ed Tech consultant about getting started in this field and how to stand out > buff.ly/4gACfcw

Learning Designers. See this collection of silly, fun, or inspiring games for some ideas > neal.fun

Generating AI Podcasts for Learning Purposes. Is it good enough? theelearningcoach.com/podcasts/85/

Will I see you at the Learning Guild's Ultimate L&D Online Conference? Hope so > tinyurl.com/bde9v76w