This concept project is for BrightEdge, a marketing design company. Their project based work structure requires individuals to work in overlapping teams on multiple projects.

As with any team dynamic, communication and feedback is a learned skill. This team lacks the constructive feedback skills necessary to function smoothly, support each other, and complete projects on time. Productivity and trust have suffered and the working environment is becoming unhealthy.

Workplace communication is complex. After analyzing the problem, I determined that a scenario based eLearning would be an effective training tool to help this team develop the skills to provide constructive feedback. I also recommended in-person solutions which include live team workshops and an extensive review of communication tools and methods.

This eLearning course encourages individuals to learn and practice constructive feedback skills in a virtual environment. The goal is to build skills and confidence that results in better team chemistry and more productive communication.

I began this project by creating an action map of what makes feedback constructive and devloping mock interpersonal scenarios. I created visual mockups to include wireframes, an asset sheet, character templates reflecting the goals and visual presentation of the project.

A text-based storyboard and functional prototype were created, reviewed, and refined to be approved for final production. From there I worked on designing the eLearning project using constructs from principles such as Gagne’s nine events, and Keller’s ARCS model of motivation.

Acting as the SME as well as ID, I designed an action map to organize the necessary elements of constructive feedback. This included content details for information presentation portion of the project. The action map provides a content guide to ensure the overall project is designed with relevant, content driven scenarios to guide learners through the course.

The visual mockup portion of this project brought the story to life with wireframes, an asset sheet, and character templates. The goal of the visual mockup portion of the project was to ensure that the course presented balanced visuals to manage cognitive load while keeping the learner’s attention.

Using insights from the action map, I developed conversation driven scenarios with actions, questions, and consequences. To help learners consider likely situations and internalize desired behaviors, scenarios were developed to be relevant and consistent with their current roles. Storytelling experience branches were developed to provide learners with real world dynamics for multiple feedback options.

I conceived multiple characters with base interactions, as well as a mediator to present information and assist learners through scenarios. Script was developed to provide conversation through scenarios and Storyline programming notes were included for structure and guidance throughout the development phase.

Once the visual mockups were reviewed and approved, I created a functional prototype to give the client a limited version of the course. This included slides showcasing the a portion of the base content, an interactive scenario, and mediator advice. I utilized the visual mock ups, storyboard script, and programming notes to ensure the development process was aligned with approved assets and course goals. I received valuable feedback on functionality before fully developing the full project.

After applying the client’s feedback, I developed the full project. This included creating an immersive experience using intuitive visual ques for a smooth user experience. The programming includes consistent animations and transitions between elements and appropriate character moods for each scenario.

I used if/then triggers with multiple conditions to guide learners through the consequences of their selections. Hover states were added to provide a visual indication of feedback options as well as on the mediators avatar to provide assistance throughout interactive selection slides.

I designed slides with transition based layers to provide dynamic conversation progression. The mediator avatar displays an additional layer when selected providing unique feedback for each scenario.