From Good to Great: Elevating Instructional Design Beyond the Basics

There are plenty of articles out there offering instructional designers (IDs) tips on storyboarding, accessibility, and learning methods. But truly exceptional IDs go beyond these basics. They cultivate additional skills that help them navigate different work environments, collaborate effectively, and create impactful learning experiences. Let’s explore the key skills that elevate IDs from good to great.

Mastering Soft Skills

IDs need more than just technical expertise—they must also excel in soft skills to navigate diverse teams, refine content through feedback, and ensure learning materials resonate with their audience. Effective communication, patience, and collaboration are essential for success.

Communication Skills

IDs must convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences who may not be familiar with instructional design (ID). Strong communication skills ensure smooth collaboration and effective training materials. This includes:

• Writing clear, concise instructional content.
• Translating technical jargon into easy-to-understand language.
• Actively listening to feedback and adjusting content accordingly.

Cultivating Patience

The ID process isn’t a one-and-done deal. Iteration is key. Be patient with revisions and open to feedback—it ultimately leads to better outcomes. To develop patience:

• Approach feedback with an open mind rather than defensiveness.
• View revisions as an opportunity to refine and improve content.
• Set realistic expectations for turnaround times and client input.

Collaborating with Clients

Working with subject matter experts (SMEs), stakeholders, and team members is crucial. Their insights ensure that content is both accurate and relevant. Effective collaboration involves:

• Asking insightful questions to fully understand the subject matter.
• Establishing a shared vision early on.
• Setting up regular check-ins to stay aligned with client needs.

Managing Projects Like a Pro

IDs must balance creativity with organization to keep projects on track. Strong project and time management skills ensure deadlines are met without compromising quality, helping IDs stay productive and adaptable in fast-paced environments.

Project Management

IDs juggle multiple projects at once. Effective project management means setting realistic timelines, prioritizing tasks, and staying flexible while meeting deadlines. Key project management strategies include:

• Breaking large projects into manageable milestones.
• Using project management tools (Trello, Asana, Monday.com) to track progress.
• Anticipating and planning for potential bottlenecks.

Time Management

Balancing design tasks with project oversight ensures training programs are both high-quality and delivered on time. Improve time management by:

• Using time-blocking techniques to dedicate focus time for content creation.
• Setting deadlines with buffer time to accommodate unforeseen challenges.
• Prioritizing tasks based on impact and urgency.

 Staying Ahead of the Curve

The learning and development field is constantly evolving, and staying proactive ensures you remain competitive. Expanding your knowledge, refining your portfolio, and building strong professional connections will keep you at the forefront of ID.

Keep Learning

Stay updated on new learning platforms, authoring tools, and learning management systems. Continuous learning keeps your skills sharp and your training materials effective. Consider:

• Taking online courses on the latest ID trends.
• Participating in webinars and industry conferences.
• Engaging in professional communities and forums.

Build a Portfolio

A strong portfolio highlights your expertise and attracts potential clients and employers. Include a variety of projects that highlight your ID range. A compelling portfolio should:

• Feature work samples that demonstrate different skills (e-learning modules, interactive courses, instructional videos).
• Include case studies that explain your process and impact.
• Be easily accessible online (through a website or LinkedIn profile).

Network and Connect

Engage with fellow IDs, educators, technical writers, and graphic designers. Networking helps you stay informed on industry trends and discover new opportunities. Expand your network by:

• Attending industry events and meetups.
• Joining LinkedIn groups and participating in discussions.
• Connecting with mentors and peers for knowledge exchange.

Designing with Learners in Mind

Effective ID starts with a deep understanding of the learner. By prioritizing empathy, adaptability, and accessibility, you create training experiences that are engaging, inclusive, and impactful.

Empathy

Understand your learners’ needs, challenges, and motivations. Creating training materials that resonate with them increases engagement and retention. Ways to foster empathy include:

• Conducting learner surveys and interviews.
• Developing learner personas to tailor content effectively.
• Considering cultural and accessibility factors in your designs.

Adaptability

Education and technology evolve rapidly. Staying flexible ensures your training remains relevant and effective. Stay adaptable by:

• Regularly assessing and updating course content.
• Experimenting with new learning methodologies and tools.
• Gathering feedback from learners to improve instructional strategies.

Processing Feedback

Feedback is invaluable. Use it constructively to refine your designs and enhance the learning experience. Best practices for processing feedback include:

• Separating constructive feedback from subjective opinions.
• Asking follow-up questions to clarify feedback points.
• Keeping an iterative mindset—every revision is a step toward excellence.

Storytelling Skills

We naturally connect with stories. Incorporate case studies and real-world scenarios to improve learner engagement and knowledge retention. To enhance storytelling in training:

• Use relatable examples that mirror real-life work situations.
• Structure content with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Add multimedia elements like videos and animations to bring stories to life.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Design content that accommodates all learners. Follow accessibility standards like WCAG, provide alternative formats (captions, transcripts, alt text), and ensure ease of navigation for those using assistive technologies. Make your training inclusive by:

• Ensuring keyboard navigability for learners with mobility impairments.
• Using high-contrast visuals and readable fonts for those with visual impairments.
• Providing language translation or subtitles for non-native speakers.

Elevating Your Impact

ID is more than just knowing tools and methodologies—it’s about refining essential skills that make learning experiences truly effective. By honing communication, collaboration, project management, and empathy, IDs can transform from good designers into great ones, shaping the future of education and training.

Related Blogs

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The Anti-Trend Trend: Why Instructional Design in 2025 is About Results, not Razzle-Dazzle

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Resources

Beus, Blake. “3 Modern Instructional Designer Skills For Creating A Cohesive Learning Experience.” eLearning Industry. 5/12/21. Accessed 3/10/25. https://elearningindustry.com/3-modern-instructional-designer-skills-cohesive-learning-experience 

Da Silva, Mikaila. “Instructional Designers Wanted: Transferrable Skills to Master.” eLearning Industry. 2/27/22. Accessed 3/10/25. https://elearningindustry.com/instructional-designers-wanted-transferrable-skills-to-master 

Douvier, Amanda. “The Importance of Continuous Learning as an Instructional Designer.” LinkedIn. 7/9/24. Accessed 3/10/25. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-continuous-learning-instructional-designer-amanda-douvier-n9bnc/

Ghosh, Sreejani. “Instructional Design Skills: Examples and How To Improve Them.” Indeed. 1/28/25. Accessed 3/10/25. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/instructional-design-skills 

S., Dyuti. “Instructional Designers and Project Management.” Medium. 3/20/24. Accessed 3/10/25. https://medium.com/@dyutis/instructional-design-1c746ee5521c 

“Top 10 In Demand instructional Designer Skills.” eLearning Industry. 2/24/25. Accessed 3/10/25. https://elearningindustry.com/instructional-designer-skills-top-10 

Tulsiani, Dr. Ravinder. ” Leveraging Instructional Strategies To Enhance Real-World Skill Application And Performance.” eLearning Industry. 4/17/24. Accessed 3/10/25. https://elearningindustry.com/leveraging-instructional-strategies-enhance-real-world-skill-application-and-performance