E-Learning Challenge

This week’s challenge entry is probably my least imaginative, but I’m not feeling 100% and I gave it a go anyhow. For 2015, I’ve resolved to try to be less hard on myself.

The Concept

This week we were tasked with sharing a creative example of an invoice or invoice template. Invoices – exciting! No, but really…if you’re doing any sort of independent work, you need to have some sort of invoice or else you run the risk of not getting paid (or having a harder time getting your ducks in a row come tax time).

The Method

I developed two examples, one of which only involved modifying the information on my current invoice template for my own small business. The other was modified based on a word invoice template I found awhile back. Neither are particularly wow-ing, but they get the job done, and I can tell you first-hand that my first example gets me paid. Effective? I’d say so!

Both invoices were created in Microsoft Word and then saved as a PDF format.

The Result

View the Full PDF Here.

View the Full PDF Here.

After a couple of weeks of relaxation (thanks, David!), this week’s challenge was to develop a unified template, and I really enjoyed developing this interaction. It gave me a break from my regular workload, and now I’m feeling a bit more inspired.

The Concept

Use three different templates to develop a unified template. The templates could either come from something existing you had kicking around on your hard drive, from somewhere online, or from the Articulate Downloads site.

The Method

The three templates I chose to use were:

• Storyline 2 Icon-Based Template
• Accordion Template
• Clean Resume Template

Using the Clean Resume Template as a jumping off point, I changed the colour scheme, deleted most of the navigation elements, replaced them with accordion blocks from the Accordion Template, and added some headers, using the ball icons from Storyline 2 Icon-Based Template.

It was pretty easy to put together, and definitely practical.

The Result

To view the full interaction, Click Here.

To download this Free Resume Template, Click Here.

Unlike last year’s colour of the year (you can see the blog write-up and challenge entry for Radiant Orchid by clicking here), I was actually excited about the new colour of the year, Marsala. I even fawned over the Sephora + Pantone Universe’s collection, but passed it up because I have very fair skin and cannot pull off the very beautiful (and highly pigmented) Marsala. Sigh.

The Concept

This challenge was to design an e-learning template or interaction using Marsala as the primary colour. I may have gone a little overboard with the Marsala-usage, but when in Rome…

The Method

Initially I was going to create some kind of makeup application tool, inspired by my visit to Sephora, but I had some fantastic icons kicking around from a recent Creative Market purchase, so I wanted to make use of those. After perusing the icons, I settled on the fitness set because it is a New Year after all, and what resolution is one of the most popular of resolutions? To get fit/join a gym/exercise more/eat better, etc. Using the icons as inspiration, I set out to create a simple interaction to highlight some solid fitness tips.

I first formatted my background to Marsala, added a directional header (using a Marsala tint), and then added and formatted the icons. Originally the icon background were a really nice taupey-beige, so I made them a bit more Marsala-y and then added layers with tips for each icon. I set each icon trigger to display the relevant layer when clicked.

As for the player, I removed customized the colours to be more Marsala-esque and added a slew of resources from some of my favourite fitness gurus and sites.

The Result

I think the interaction turned out well, and it offers practical tips and resources for maintaining those fitness goals you resolved to maintain in 2015.

To view the complete interaction, Click Here.

This week’s challenge was an easy one, which is probably why Im able to participate – hooray! Thank you, David!

The Concept

This week, the challenge was to design a poster, infographic, or list to share top tips with e-learning freelancers. As an e-learning freelancer, this challenge seemed right up my alley.

The Method

Well. First, I got a little ahead of myself and mistook it for Instructional Design tips and created a poster related to one of my very favourite quotes from a less than favourite military reviewer (and I say that jokingly…kind of) – “Bullets are too verbose.”; the take away from that comment was to be more concise…which is tricky when you need to include sections of military publications verbatim into your courseware. GAH. That being said, I like to pride myself in being fairly concise within my e-learning projects.

Once I admired my handy work, I realized my mistake and began racking my brain for freelance tips. I thought this would be a lot easier than it was because 1) I’ve been an e-learning freelancer for several years now, 2) I’ve learned a lot about small business in this past year, and 3) I’m writing a book that’s almost related directly to just that. However, my brain was apparently converted into mashed potatoes last night and it took me several hours to come up with something worth recommending to other e-learning freelancers.

The Result

First, I’ll share my Instructional Design tip:

Next up, my top tip for e-learning freelancers:

Scope creep is a very real thing, so you should definitely heed my advice. I would also recommend having an air-tight contract. It’s always nice to go above and beyond for your clients, but you don’t want to give away the farm!

This week’s challenge was a fun one – there were so many great submissions, and tons of inspiration!

The Concept

This week, we were tasked with creating digital magazine samples built using Articulate products. We were provided with examples of several popular digital magazines, and asked to make a few considerations.

The Method

Originally, I was going to develop a cat magazine, and create some actual content…because I consider myself somewhat of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in that field. However, time got the best of me, and I became inspired by some images I found on Unsplash, so I took a more nature-y approach. I even added some very therapeutic sounds on the cover page.

I sourced several images I wanted to use, added them (with varying levels of transparency) across four pages (including the main page). Grouped three sets of objects and added some triggers on the main page, along with a titleset that recurs (in style) on each page.

I tried to take a different approach to layout for each page, and made use of some motion path interactivity on the second page – how fun!

The Result

Overall, I was very happy with the result, and I think it can be a useable template for various situations; specifically if you’re creating some sort of outdoorsy magazine, which is why I’m going to share the source files with you!

Click here to view the live demo.

Click here to download the FREE Storyline 2 template.

Oh boy! This week’s challenge was definitely a relatable and somewhat fun (somewhat angering) challenge. I think everyone out there, regardless of your profession, could easily come up with a slew of things they hate hearing (and maybe some responses). I actually saw a buzzfeed article today titled 26 Faces Every Single Retail Worker Will Immediately Recognize, and nodded my head at every single one of them over breakfast…and thanked all things holy that I no longer work in retail.

The Concept

This week, David challenged us to design an infographic, poster, or list of the 10 things Instructional Designers don’t want to hear and how we would best reply to each of these items. The latter task being the more difficult. For web designers/developers out there (and anyone else – they’re easily modifiable!), my pal Erin actually created an INVALUABLE swipe file – Designer Scripts – Email Templates for Sticky Client Situations and it’s definitely worth checking out!

The Method

The method for this challenge was a little muddy, I have to admit. The first task of course was to come up with a list of my top 10 things I hate hearing as an Instructional Designer; I thought this task would be a lot easier than it was, so I was certainly surprised!

Once I came up with my list, I took my number 1 thing I hate to hear and turned it into a little poster. If nothing else, I hope you folks can relate to that one!

The Result

10. “We don’t need a prototype.” – In this situation, I would explain to the client that I understand they’re likely on a tight budget, but that a prototype will allow us to negotiate the overall design of the product, reducing time spent within the revision cycle later in the game.

9. “I trust your expertise. Just be creative.” – Here, I would explain that I understand the client hired me for my expertise; however, signing of on some broad design elements will reduce revision cycles (and $$$) in the long run. My aesthetic might not be their aesthetic (or the end client’s). For example, what it a cat lover like me snuck in images of cute kitties throughout the course…but the client is a dog lover and absolutely hates the idea of a cat?!

8. “One review cycle should be sufficient.” – I would refer back to our delivery schedule, and remind the client of that schedule, emphasizing that if they only want to pay for one review cycle, they will need to be meticulous and schedule-conscious during their review, because I will absolutely need the two days I requested to do my revisions, and will certainly not be doing them the day before delivery.

7. “I need this finished by the end of the week.” (said as the client hands you an entire re-development of the course you created) – In this situation, I would assess the amount of revisions and explain that the timeframe requested is not a feasible amount of time for the volume of work to be done, but that you can have it completed by X date. I would also explain that this extended timeframe is due to the client wanting a complete re-do of everything developed.

6. “The Subject Matter Expert (SME) is in charge of content.” – I would let the client know that this is fantastic news, but that I expect our communications to be related directly to the content and not the design. I would explain that I expect the SME to adhere, fully, to the schedule (especially their review of the content) to ensure there is no impact to the deliverables.

5. “I could have done this in PowerPoint in waaaaaay less time.” – Really? Alright. Here, I would explain the the client that they specified the work be authored using X tool, and as such, I adhered to using the specified tool. I would also explain that developing some elements in PowerPoint may have been more time consuming than developing them in X tool. I would explain that I appreciate the opinion, but that there was a reason the client decided to hire me…to do the job that I did.

4. “I think maybe we should just change the colours. That’s an easy fix, right?” (said days before delivery) – In this situation, I would explain to the client that we signed off on the overall design prior to development, and that even an ‘easy’ fix such as changing the colour scheme would take a fair amount of time. I would tell them that I’d be happy to oblige, but it may impact the delivery date.

3. “Can you make it more interactive?” (said after reviewing an extremely dry and prescribed compliance course) – If there’s wiggle room for creativity, I would tell the client ‘sure!’ and explain the impact on the schedule. However, if the content needs to be displayed verbatim, I would explain that we would need to chat about our options and provide them with a few solutions, explaining that it will likely increase cost and development timeline.

2. “Can you add just one more scenario? Oh! and I forgot to give you this 30 page document – it needs to be incorporated into the course somehow.” (said after the first review cycle and certainly leaning into scope creep) – Here, I would explain to the client that the project scope was created to account for 5 scenarios, not 6, and that I will most certainly include a sixth scenario for X cost. As for the second item, I would explain that prior to developing the contract, I requested all content and course documentation to adequately price out the contract, and this 30 page document was not in the original estimate, so I will incorporate it at X cost to the client.

1. “This looks great, but I just can’t ‘visualize’ the end product.” (said after initial review of a text-based storyboard) – This is my most-hated sentence. I’ve heard it from clients, SMEs, programmers, media developers – UGH! This situation begs me to explain that the text-based storyboard was requested (by the client) and developed primarily as a means of reviewing the content within a certain context (of the screen and with a brief description of the supporting media elements), and that the visual elements would be available for review in the second review cycle. Similarly, during the second review cycle, I hate hearing “Can you please review the comments I made; there are a few content revisions that need to be made.” (GAH! You’re now reviewing for look/feel – bugger off!)