The Learning Architect

Here's my working definition of an IED which I will continue to modify and adapt as I learn more:


The work of an Instructional Experience Designer is to design, deliver and evaluate training programs that effectively bridge knowledge gaps of stakeholders and influence best practices and behaviors.

They are responsible for assessing stakeholders' specific training needs, designing multi-medium courses that are appropriate to learning needs, conduct usability testing, deliver trainings, and continually evaluate, modify and improve.

A designer doesn't necessarily need to know the subject at hand but must be able to engage with Subject Matter Experts (SME) of the field such as programmers, developers, and managers to develop a  task analysis and effective course of action.

Personally however, the scope of an ID has a much broader impact on the future of society than this. IDs' have enormous depth of knowledge about what allows people to learn best, how we adapt to change, and how to use multiple mediums to incite growth and innovation in groups.

With these incredibly powerful skills, I believe instructional experience design will be the revolutionized face of our education system for the next generation.

I'm particularly excited about this field because I see enormous potential for change in the way we will understand school and learning.

Instructional Designers:

1. Are always looking for best ways to minimize information clutter that confuses and frustrates new learners.

2. Believe in creating an experience that promotes intrinsic curiosity.

3. Talk about the importance of addressing the heart and body of the learner, not just simply the mind

4. Incorporate visual aesthetics as an important design process because it is a major component to learning.

5. My FAVORITE: Designers want to create a learning experience where people leave the room not simply more conformed in their knowledge, but rather more diversified in their ideas for change and action.

Gone will be the days of horrendous PowerPoint lectures which are like parasites infecting universities all across the country, sucking the passion out of learning and creativity for college students.

At least, that's what I hope.