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What does an Instructional Designer do?

Heard about these people scheming and sketching behind the scenes, but still unsure about the role of instructional designers in creating great learning solutions? We may often be in the background, but every good instructional designer loves to research, collaborate and develop engaging, impactful learning experiences.

 

Here we explain what we do all day…

Creating learning experiences that work

Let’s be honest, no one wants to sit through another dull e-learning course that feels like a slideshow of bullet points or a workshop that feels just like a boring lecture. Instructional design plays a big part in making sure people don’t ever have to feel like this.

Great instructional design isn’t just about making things look nice. It’s about creating learning experiences that actually work, the kind that help people not only understand new information but remember it and use it confidently in the real world.

Because at the end of the day, that’s the goal, right?

We’re not just handing out facts and letting the learners get on with it. We’re helping them build skills, solve problems and show up with competence in their roles. No matter what that role is.

So, if you care about making learning stick, you need solid design at the heart of your training solutions. That’s where we as instructional designers come in…

So, what is instructional design?

Instructional design is all about creating effective learning experiences. Here at Aleido, it’s the thoughtful process of designing in the way that people learn best – whether that’s employees learning how to use a new software system, students grappling with a complex concept, or volunteers preparing for their role.

Instructional designers (IDs) apply learning theory, design thinking and a deep understanding of learning goals, context and the audience needs to create effective learning experiences. We don’t just pop information online and hope for the best – we shape it in a way that engages and sticks. We design it intentionally, strategically and often collaboratively.

But, what does an instructional designer actually do?

Our role can vary depending on the industry and setting, but here are some key things we spend our time on:

Needs analysis

Before anything can be created, IDs need to get to grips with the learning background and requirements:

Who are the learners?

What is their current level of knowledge?

What should they be able to do after this training or course?

This discovery phase is crucial; without it, the rest of the work risks missing the mark.

Designing the learning experience

Once the learning objectives are clear, we move into shaping the learning experience. Depending on the context, this might involve designing a full e-learning course, a microlearning module, a face-to-face workshop, or a blended solution. At this stage, we map out the structure, whether that’s outlining a course, organising a toolkit, or planning a workshop — to ensure a clear and logical flow. We consider what kinds of activities will support the learning and how each element links back to the objectives.

Creating content

This is where ideas become a reality and we get into the detail. We write scripts and develop storyboards, researching and collaborating with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to shape content into something easily digestible and engaging.

Choosing and implementing the right tools

IDs often work with a range of tools, depending on the organisation, the content and proposed methodology and output. These could include the basic but brilliant Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, authoring tools like Articulate Storyline, Adapt or Rise 360, and LMS platforms like Aleido’s own, Svelte.

Building in assessments

How do we know learning has happened? Well, we design meaningful assessments. These could be quizzes, reflective activities, scenario-based exercises or even live discussions. Anything that can check understanding against the learning objectives and give learners feedback.

Testing and iterating

The work doesn’t end when our part is ‘done’. It’s a continuous cycle of testing and evaluation, gathering feedback and making thoughtful and meaningful improvements. Always with the learner’s experience and the learning objectives in mind.

What skills and tools are in our ID kit?

This is the fun part – we wear a lot of hats, and we look good in them too! Here are a few of the skills that come into play:

Understanding of learning theory – knowing how people learn is essential in our role.

Empathy – understanding the learner’s point of view is everything.

Communication – IDs often have to translate complex ideas and materials into clear, engaging formats.

Visual design – don’t get me wrong…we aren’t graphic designers, but a sense of aesthetics does help, especially when designing meaningful graphics to support understanding and memorability.

Project management – timelines, stakeholders and moving parts are all part of the process.

Technical fluency – being comfortable with digital tools and platforms is pretty In some roles, we may be involved in development ourselves, while in others – like Aleido, we focus on design and collaborate closely with developers to bring solutions to life.

Some common tools include Adapt, Articulate 360 or Rise, Learning Management Systems and Collaboration platforms.

Where can you find us?

Honestly…pretty much everywhere. If learning needs to happen, we’re there!

You’ll find IDs in companies, designing training to onboard new staff or upskill current employees. In healthcare, we’re there to help develop programmes for patient safety or clinician education. In the education sector, we might design digital resources, blended learning, or staff development programmes. Even in the non-profit sector, we are creating learning experiences for volunteers and communities.

Depending on the organisation, we might have different titles: Learning Experience Designer, Training Developer…but the core of the work is similar. We make learning work .

Common myths about instructional design

There are a few myths about instructional design that seem to stick around, so let’s bust them.

Ah, the classic…while it’s true that IDs might touch a PowerPoint from time to time, the role goes far beyond that. A good ID doesn’t just format slides, we ask deeper questions:

It’s about designing the entire learning experience, whether that means building an interactive e-learning module, storyboarding a video, creating a scenario-based assessment or developing a curriculum.

Subject matter expertise is important, there is no questioning that. But just knowing a topic doesn’t mean you know how to teach it. That’s where we make the difference.

Instructional designers take complex information and shape it into something that’s structured, digestible and designed to meet specific learning outcomes. We think about the pacing, engagement, accessibility and retention – things that can be easily overlooked.

If only it were that easy.

Templates can be a helpful starting point, but effective learning isn’t a fill-in-the-blank exercise. Great instructional design is about thinking critically about the learner, the context, the delivery method and the goals. Sure, templates might give us the structure, but they don’t replace the strategy.

Not unless you’re planning to guess, which isn’t a solid learning strategy.

Realistic, effective scenarios rely on the insight and expertise from people that know the work inside and out. SMEs provide the context, detail and the nuance that make it feel authentic. Instructional designers are great at designing the learning journey, but we still need that insider knowledge to make it credible and useful.

Can AI help generate content or draft outlines? Absolutely. Can it take the place of human judgement, empathy, creativity and learner-centred thinking? Not even close. AI is a tool, not a replacement.

We do more than assemble content. We ask hard questions, collaborate with stakeholders, adapt to changing needs and make learning human. Of course, AI can assist the process, but it can’t replicate the full value an experienced instructional designer brings to the table.

Why instructional design matters

Good instructional design isn’t just about making things look pretty or organising content neatly. It’s about creating learning experiences that actually work – ones that help people absorb, retain and apply knowledge in real, tangible ways.

In the workplace, that could mean safer practices, better customer service or faster onboarding. In education, it could mean making complex ideas finally click. And in the broader world, instructional design helps bridge gaps, making information more accessible, inclusive and empowering.

Conclusion

Instructional designers are often the quiet force behind effective learning. We’re not always front and centre, but behind the scenes. We’re asking the right questions, digging into the research, collaborating with SMEs and carefully shaping learning experiences with intention.

Because we know that great learning doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when someone takes the time to understand how people learn and then designs for that.

So, the next time you find yourself in a course that just works – where everything flows, where the content feels clear and where you’re actually engaged and learning – there’s a good chance an instructional designer was behind the curtain, making it all happen.

BY JEN FERGUSON

Contact

Andy Wiles

Department Manager

Aleido Learning UK