Storyline Ninja
The Best Design is Invisible
Every instructional designer knows the challenge: you want to create something extraordinary, but you’re working within constraints—branding guidelines, strict templates, or clients with a very particular vision. It might feel like a tug-of-war between your creativity and the boundaries of the project.
But here’s the truth: leaving your mark doesn’t always mean flashy robots or over-the-top animations (though, let’s be honest, those can be fun). It’s about creating something that resonates with learners—something you’d genuinely enjoy learning from yourself.
Even within the tightest constraints, your work can stand out. It’s not about putting your personal signature on the project; it’s about crafting experiences that feel intuitive, engaging, and human. That’s what learners remember.
So, how do you balance creativity with compliance? By shifting the focus from making it “yours” to making it theirs—something that serves the learner and solves the problem at hand, while still reflecting your thoughtful touch. After all, the best design is the kind that feels invisible—seamlessly serving its purpose while quietly standing out.
Now think about what they wouldn’t do. They wouldn’t bore you senseless with jargon or make you memorize things you’ll forget by dinner. They wouldn’t give you a gold star and call it a day. But they’d probably crack a dumb joke at just the right moment, like, “Looks like we NAILED that safety course!” (Groan. High five.)
Here’s the thing: great teaching isn’t about frameworks or flash. It’s about showing up, being real, and diving in. If you want to learn how to make pizza, you don’t need a lecture on the chemical structure of mozzarella—you need someone who says, “Here, toss the dough.”
That’s the lesson: when you’re teaching, helping, or even just trying to connect with someone, keep it real. Skip the fluff, start where it matters, and get your hands in the dough.