9 Tips for Success as an Instructional Designer
8) Showcase your best work.
To succeed as an instructional designer, you'll need to demonstrate proficiency with these skills and techniques. Every designer, no matter how new to the field, should have a portfolio to showcase the design solutions and products they've created. Your portfolio should showcase the work you're most proud of, including planning tools, storyboards, multimedia content, instructional materials, and e-learning products.
Every artifact should tell a story about you as an instructional designer. Collectively, they highlight your professional competencies and professional identity. Anyone who views your portfolio should see who you are, what you know, and what you can do. Be sure to tag your portfolio entries with vital information, such as the role you played, the problem you solved, the tools used, and the outcome of the solution.
9) Remember that you're always learning.
To be an instructional designer is to dedicate yourself to lifelong learning. Every course you develop gives you practice in applying theory to design. To ensure that you can learn from your experiences, always ask yourself how you'll measure outcomes to determine the effectiveness of your design and whether you've met the objective criteria.
Your learning extends beyond personal accomplishments. Stay engaged with the instructional design community's "on trend" debates and conversations, collaborate with other designers, examine the field of best practices, and subscribe to industry publications and journals.
One of the best ways to shore up your technical skills, knowledge of theory, and interpersonal experience is to get an advanced degree in instructional or learning design. Pursuing a master's degree, such as our Learning Design and Technology program, or an advanced certificate is a highly effective way to learn the latest skills, build your portfolio, and network with other designers entering the field.
About the Author
Dr. Lisa Evans is academic director of the University of San Diego's Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology program. She has over a quarter-century of experience in instructional design/learning design, educational/instructional technology, e-learning, and content creation for online platforms, as well as expertise in designing and teaching high-quality online courses following standards and rubrics that set students up for success.