Filmmaking for LXD

In this tutorial, I'll be demonstrating essential watercolor pencil techniques that can enhance your visual storytelling and design work as filmmakers. This video was created for my Full Sail University Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, specifically for the Filmmaking Principles in Instructional Design course. We'll cover the fundamentals of how these versatile tools work, from dry application to water activation, and explore how to achieve different textures and effects that are particularly useful for concept art, storyboarding, and pre-production visualization. By the end of this video, you'll have a solid foundation in watercolor pencil basics that you can apply to your own film projects.

Behind the Scenes: Building an Engaging e-Learning Module with Adobe Captivate

In this video, I walk through a demo of my Adobe Captivate project, "Your Pickleball Primer." This project was part of my Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology degree program at Full Sail University, specifically for my Visual and Verbal Communication in Instructional Design course. I'll be highlighting the interactive elements I incorporated, the navigation I designed, and how I leveraged different features within Captivate to create an engaging learning experience. This demo offers insights into my practical application of e-learning design principles.

Learning Through Authentic Example: The Power of Personal Model Training

“It feels more like learning alongside each other rather than being lectured to, and that collaborative spirit seems to stick with people long after the training ends. ”

— Emily Green

Above is my Rise interaction featuring the content I created for a recent project for my Corporate Training and Motivational Development course at Full Sail University.

During my master's program in Instructional Design and Technology at Full Sail University, I had the opportunity to develop and deliver training presentations that applied theory to practice. Through this experience, I discovered that the most effective way to connect with adult learners isn't through polished presentations or theoretical frameworks—it's by getting real about how I work. When I train manufacturing workers on new robotic interfaces or other technical skills, I don't position myself as the distant expert with all the answers. Instead, I share my genuine experience: the successful approaches I've developed, the mistakes I've made along the way, and the messy reality of learning something new. I walk participants through my actual thinking process out loud, showing them not just what to do, but how I figure out what to do when I'm uncertain.

This authentic approach creates something powerful in the training room. Participants become more engaged because they can see that professional expertise isn't about perfection—it's about having thoughtful processes and learning from experience. When someone asks a question, I don't just give them the textbook answer; I show them how I would actually approach that same problem in real life, complete with my reasoning and even my uncertainties. It feels more like learning alongside each other rather than being lectured to, and that collaborative spirit seems to stick with people long after the training ends. The result is learners who feel empowered to tackle challenges with confidence, knowing that stumbling and figuring things out is part of the process, not a sign of failure.

Learning Engagement Strategies

Transforming Learning: My Three-Week Journey

My three-week deep dive into "Strategies for Learner Engagement" transformed my home office into an experimental learning lab and revolutionized my approach to instructional design, progressing from exploring engagement-amplifying technologies like VR headsets and quality audio equipment in Week 1, to understanding the science behind sticky learning through theoretical frameworks like self-determination theory and project-based learning in Week 2, and finally embracing AI innovations that create personalized learning experiences in Week 3. This journey revealed that effective engagement isn't accidental but architecturally designed, and that AI doesn't replace human connection but amplifies it—ultimately equipping me with a richer toolkit to create learning experiences that don't just inform but truly inspire and transform.

Mastery Journal

This is a mastery jounral for my final MS IDT winter semester project at Full Sail University.

Select the button

Select the button to interact with the module.

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The Trust20 Food Handler UX and Visual Design update is now live!

I collaborated with Trust20 to revamp their extensively used course, Food Handler. The redesign aimed to enhance accessibility and improve the overall learning experience. Key changes include a more user-friendly interface, updated interactions and knowledge checks, improved accessibility features, and the inclusion of learning outcomes for each module.

Snapshot from the latest Trust20 Newsletter, The Shift.

Trust20 Food Show Course Demos Debut

I recently created functional demos of several Trust20 content pieces for interactive use during the upcoming Food Show season. Check out their Instagram post featuring their new booth and my demos!

Reverse Hot Spots in Rise

If you use Articulate Rise to develop content, you know that even though there are many ways to customize the authoring tool, it certainly has its limitations. I often use Java or light HTML to customize aspects of my files for clients. Here’s an example I really love: the “Reverse Hot Spot.”

I have learned a lot from Mighty Design’s tutorials and purchased a block from their customization packages. However, you can learn how to integrate customizations into the CSS of the Rise file and even change the "START COURSE" button in the published output with some simple code for free.

If nothing else, making simple tweaks like these makes developing with Rise as the tool of choice more enjoyable when a client requests it.

Photoshop Animations

Did you know you can use Photoshop to make animations for your next project?

I normally use Photoshop to edit images for my projects; however, this week, I learned that you can use the tool to create some decent animations.

My project this week at RISD involved using Photoshop to edit and animate three distinct files, including scale, rotation, and variations in hue, saturation, and brightness. Check out my work below.

“Put Your Best Foot Forward” " was featured on RISD’s Instagram page this week.

I See a Pattern

The Spring Semester Part A at RISD is about to end, and I am excited to share some of my patterns that I developed during the Digital Design Fundamentals course. Over the six-week session, we used PhotoShop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create our designs. In the upcoming Spring Semester Part B, we will explore different mediums used to create digital artwork.

Each pattern was created in Adobe Illustrator.

Behold, the Bezold

As I finish up my winter semester at RISD, I wanted to share some recent pattern designs I've created for larger projects as well as personal ones.

By far, my favorite design is one that demonstrates the Bezold effect.

What is the Bezold effect you ask?

Described by its namesake, Wilhelm von Bezold, the Bezold effect occurs when the hue of a color is altered in appearance by the presence of surrounding colors.

My Bezold designs created in Adobe Illustrator for RISD.

At first glance, one might assume these two designs employ different patterns. However, the two patterns employ identical color palettes and harmonies, the only difference being the application. This illusion inspired me to create a few other patterns in my free time to share with friends and Instagram for use in social wallpapers.

Enjoy a couple below.

Procreate Dreams

I have been illustrating in Procreate for years, often turning my work into small animations to bring specific designs to life.

In November 2023, Procreate introduced Procreate Dreams, a robust animation tool that seamlessly integrates with Procreate Illustrator.

I have been experimenting with this new app, and with some practice and tips, anyone can learn the necessary skills to approach animation in Procreate Dreams.

Exporting Procreate layers to Dreams tracks is now easier thanks to familiarity with Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. You can create your desired animations using keyframes, performance modes, and frame-by-frame animation.

Take a look at my illustration and the Dreams animation I made using it below.

I combined layers in Procreate to prep for the integration into Dreams.

Lovely Letters in Procreate

After a long and challenging week with design assignments for RISD, I needed to relax and creatively unwind. I created a custom brush in Procreate that mimicked candy and built colorful drop shadow block letters.

These members of the alphabet were made for family:

Creating Digital Brushes -Swatches

As a graphic design student at RISD, I am learning foundational art practices like line drawing, observational creation, perspective points, and how to work with digital tools. While I have been using Procreate and digital devices to create custom pieces in my professional and personal life for a while, I have never made brushes. This week, we were to create an array of custom brushes for Procreate and then develop swatch books. Here are my results:

Technique Trials in Procreate

I've been searching for illustration inspiration for an upcoming publication. Below are some of my favorite technique trials done in Procreate.

Midcentury ghost.

Papercut technique of wildflowers in a pitcher.

Procreate Postcards

As a permanent student and avid fan of Lisa Bardot's Art maker's Club, I have learned a lot from her. Lisa is a renowned Skillshare teacher, Procreate brush creator, and an all-around superstar who is about to release a book. Recently, I took her vintage postcard class and applied some techniques, styles, and color palettes that were inspired by the animators who worked on Ludo's "Bluey."

Bluey and family live in Brisbane, Australia, on the right side of the continent.

I spent approximately six weeks, intermittently, creating the drawing inside the letters. I completed the effects and background over Labor Day weekend. Even though I don't have any immediate plans to travel to Australia, I know where my first destination will be when I eventually go.

True/False Variables Make Tracking Progress Truly Fun!

I recently attended a webinar on using progress meters in e-learning courses. The speaker, David Anderson, demonstrated using number variables and custom states to display learner progress visually. Inspired, I created my own True/False variable micro-course on the "History of Video Games."

Select or tap the gif above to learn more.

This course features:

• Course Menu button state changes

• Progress meter adjusted with T/F variables and state triggers

• Pixel graphics

• Arcade music

What was your first video game experience?

Let me know in the comments.

Barbie’s iconic font

Barbie is more than just a toy - it's a widely recognized brand with its bright colors, playful themes, and iconic fashion. Today, with the release of the latest movie in theaters, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on the history of the brand's typography. I mean, have you seen the marketing? It is genius.

Let’s Dive In!

We’ll take a look into the Dolly font’s evolution and see how it’s transformed over time.

This is my take on the Barbie Dream Pool, btw.

The “Modern Dolly” Barbie script font came from the brand’s early years, as Barbie's logo underwent several iterations. The original logos used a simple, thin, and elegant script font. This font had a more subdued and less stylized appearance than the iconic font that most people associate with Barbie today.

The “Retro Dolly” font (primarily used in the new movie marketing) was introduced in the early 1980s. This script font features a playful and whimsical design with elongated strokes, curvy letters, and a slightly slanted angle. It exuded a sense of femininity and glamour, aligning perfectly with Barbie's image as a fashion-forward and stylish doll.

The “Classic Dolly” Barbie font is primarily used for the logo but has also been adapted for other branding elements, such as packaging, advertising materials, and promotional products.

I happen to love all versions of this font, what about you? Let me know in the comments below.

Mental Health Awareness Month ELH#410

My entry into Articulate’s eLearning Hero Challenge #410: MENTAL HEALTH IS TOTAL HEALTH.

The challenge was to use video, AI, and the Articulate authoring platform to teach or inform a topic.

Tools used: Synthesia for AI, Adobe for graphics and music, and Articulate for interaction/player.

9-Stress Busters

I’ve been using the Lyra mental health platform for therapy over the last month, and it has inspired me not only to meet stress where it is at but also to design tools that help me address stress when it manifests.

I’m sharing my latest design and resource below. I hope it brings you relief wherever you are.

Select the image to learn 9 Stress Busters.