The Art and Science of Learning Design
Just as you might need both a colour specialist and a cut specialist for a hairdresser appointment, instructional design requires a unique blend of artistic creativity and technical precision. Great instructional designers are rare – they combine educational expertise with technical skills, industry knowledge, and exceptional communication abilities.
Whether you're an RTO looking to hire a learning designer, or a professional seeking to develop these skills, understanding what sets great designers apart is essential.
Pedagogical Expertise
At their core, instructional designers are educators. They understand how adults learn and can apply learning theories to create effective training:
- Adult learning principles – Understanding that adult learners are self-directed, bring experience, and need to see relevance.
- Learning objectives design – Crafting clear, measurable outcomes aligned with Bloom's Taxonomy.
- Assessment strategy – Developing valid, reliable assessments that accurately measure competency.
- Scaffolding and sequencing – Building learning progressively from simple to complex.
Technical Skills
Modern instructional design requires proficiency across a range of tools and technologies:
- Authoring tools – Articulate Storyline and Rise, Adobe Captivate, iSpring, or similar eLearning development platforms.
- LMS platforms – Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, or proprietary systems used by RTOs.
- Graphic design – Basic proficiency in tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or Figma for creating visual assets.
- Video production – Ability to create, edit, and optimise video content for learning.
- Accessibility standards – Understanding WCAG guidelines and creating accessible content.
Communication & Collaboration
Instructional designers rarely work in isolation. They must effectively collaborate with:
- Subject matter experts (SMEs) – Extracting and organising expert knowledge
- Stakeholders – Understanding and managing expectations
- Trainers and assessors – Creating resources they can actually use
- Compliance teams – Ensuring content meets regulatory requirements
- Learners – Gathering feedback and iterating on designs
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to translate technical jargon into accessible language.
Attention to Detail
In VET, the stakes are high. A single mapping error or assessment gap can lead to compliance issues. Great instructional designers are meticulous:
- Precise mapping to units of competency and performance criteria
- Consistent formatting and branding throughout resources
- Error-free content (spelling, grammar, technical accuracy)
- Thorough testing of interactive elements and LMS functionality
- Complete evidence requirements documented for each assessment
Adaptability & Creativity
The best instructional designers bring creativity to their work while remaining adaptable to constraints:
- Creative problem-solving – Finding engaging ways to teach dry compliance content.
- Budget awareness – Delivering quality within resource constraints.
- Timeline flexibility – Adapting scope when deadlines shift.
- Technology agility – Quickly learning new tools and platforms.
Industry Knowledge
For VET instructional designers, understanding the industry you're designing for is crucial:
- Training package interpretation – Accurately understanding and applying unit requirements
- Industry currency – Knowing current workplace practices and terminology
- Regulatory requirements – Understanding ASQA standards and expectations
- Assessment principles – Applying rules of evidence and principles of assessment
Designers with actual industry experience in the field they're designing for bring invaluable authenticity to their work.
Finding the Right Designer
When hiring instructional designers, look for evidence of these traits in their portfolio and references. Ask about specific projects where they've had to balance competing demands, solve complex design challenges, or quickly adapt to changing requirements.
At Edutemps, we have access to experienced instructional designers across various industry specialisations. Whether you need short-term project support or a permanent addition to your team, we can help you find the right fit.