Hey friends,
Today, I want to take a moment to reflect and share a bit about my design learning over the past few months.
I decided to take a few classes at my local university—not officially enrolled in a program, but diving into courses within their Learning Design and Technology Master’s program. It’s been an interesting experience so far.
The Learning Design and Technology program focuses on creating effective teaching materials and ensuring that learners genuinely gain knowledge from what’s developed—all while exploring the theoretical concepts behind it.
I jumped into this because I’ve always been fascinated by product design—how things work, why they’re made a certain way, their purpose, and their usefulness. I also love when aesthetics meet functionality, especially in products we use every day. So, I thought, why not learn about design as it relates to learning?
Through these classes, I’ve discovered some overlaps between learning design and product design.
They are:
- User-Centered Thinking
- Problem-Solving Approach
- Iterative Design Process
My Classes & Key Takeaways
? Summer 2024 – Web Design Class
This class was my first dive into design. It focused on HTML and CSS, and I got my hands dirty with tools like Photoshop, Adobe XD, and Dreamweaver.
? Final Project: A portfolio page built entirely with HTML and CSS. Encapsulating all the things learned in the semester.
✨ Key Takeaway: Gained a solid understanding of how coding impacts design. However, I wished the class had focused more on usability and how a website’s setup affects user interaction. Still, this foundational knowledge has been invaluable.
⚡ Challenges: Navigating multiple tools was tricky at first, but it strengthened my ability to adapt and problem-solve.
? Teamwork: Though mostly independent, occasional peer reviews helped refine my design approach.
? Fall 2024 – Current Trends in Instructional Design
A theory-heavy class diving into the history of instructional design in the U.S. and beyond. We explored various theories through weekly discussions.
? Final Project: A research-based paper exploring modern instructional design strategies. My focus was on how AI will impact new career seekers in skill building and job search process.
✨ Key Takeaway: While I craved more hands-on projects, this class deepened my understanding of the thoughtful processes behind instructional design.
⚡ Challenges: Staying engaged in theory-heavy discussions without practical application.
? Teamwork: Weekly discussions were helpful to see other’s opinions on the topics. No group work involved for this class.
? Fall 2024 – Problems in Instructional Design
This was my kind of class—project-based and collaborative. We tackled real-world problems, including designing a course to help teachers integrate AI into classrooms.
? Final Project: A fully developed course module that introduced AI to teachers.
?️ Tools Used: Articulate Storyline, Canva, and a text-to-AI voice converter.
✨ Key Takeaway: Applying theory to real-world challenges solidified what I learned throughout the class.
⚡ Challenges: The class was online, and I missed in-person collaboration, but the practical experience made up for it.
? Teamwork: We developed a detailed proposal and collaborated weekly to produce the final project.
? Bonus Project: I created a fun augmented reality (AR) activity featuring a virtual piggy bank—simple but so rewarding!
? Current Class – Foundations in Measurement
This theory-based course focuses on designing effective assessments—multiple-choice, essays, and fill-in-the-blank.
? Final Project: Still in progress, but it will involve creating a set of comprehensive assessment tools.
✨ Key Takeaway: Despite the heavy theory, I know this foundational knowledge will help me in the long run.
⚡ Challenges: Lots of reading and limited hands-on work.
? Teamwork: No team work so far.
✨ How This Ties Into My Current Work
In my current role working in event planning, I’ve discovered so many overlaps between what I’m learning and what I do every day.
- ? Designing Materials: I help to edit/create internal templates, PowerPoint decks, marketing material, and edit website copy. These classes have helped me craft clearer, more user-friendly documents.
- ? Real-World Example: I revamped our marketing template using information architecture principles, making it more intuitive.
- Communication, Teamwork, etc.
? Where I’m At Now
Each class so far has taught me something new. I’m excited to keep exploring this intersection of learning design and product design and bring these insights into my work.
✅ My Next Steps:
- ? Finish my current Foundations in Measurement class.
- ? Keep exploring the crossover between learning design and UX.
- ? Apply my new skills to improve my event planning workflows.
- ?️ (Eventually)Build a portfolio showcasing my learning journey.
- ? Continue sharing detailed and big picture reflections and insights as I learn.
Thanks for sticking around and reading through my reflections!
-Nysa