Video Design Strategies: Simplicity, Iteration, & Inspiration

The Visual Lounge

Let’s get those creative muscles working! The secret to great learning content is just as much about creativity in your messaging as the content itself. How you deliver your content is key to that information being absorbed and remembered, so don’t be afraid to get a little creative.

In this episode, host Matt Pierce sits down with Tim Slade, Founder of The eLearning Designer’s Academy and renowned expert in visual communications. His top tip for creators using images or videos? Tap into your creativity. Remember when you were a kid and could dream up just about anything? Don’t lose sight of that! As adults, many of us lose the natural creativity and imagination we explored as kids, but Tim explains that we can tap into that again by trying something a bit different (and being okay if it doesn’t work out).

Tim shares how he uses modern tools to bring his imagination to life and how he gets inspiration from just about anywhere he looks, from TV commercials to ads at airport kiosks. He explains why he approaches animation design like a theater production, seeing each little element as its own character telling a story.

Tim offers some great insights into his processes, why he values simplicity, and how he gauges whether his work will be effective. We also talk about the elephant in the room… AI and its impact on learning design. Tim cautions us against over-reliance on AI and explains that human creativity is what will really set your design apart.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 00:23 Introduction
• 00:23 - 01:55 Tim’s top tip for getting better at using images or video
• 01:55 - 03:40 Why sometimes simple tools are the best way to bring your imagination to life
• 03:40 - 05:33 How Tim finds inspiration everywhere he looks
• 05:33 - 07:17 Tim’s balanced method of using repeatable processes and new ideas
• 07:17 - 09:02 How to know when to stop – the signal vs. noise test
• 09:02 - 10:27 How to assess whether your work will be effective or not
• 10:27 - 12:41 The role of AI in learning design and why it’s no replacement for creativity
• 12:41 - 14:35 Tim’s advice on experimenting with new ideas
• 14:35 - 18:18 How to find the time to play with new ideas
• 18:18 - 21:35 Speed round questions
• 21:35 - 22:17 Tim’s final take
• 22:17 - 23:11 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sladetim/
• The eLearning Designer's Academy: https://elearningacademy.io/
• Subscribe to The eLearning Designer's Academy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2CE3YBPX53oeKVsiTbhX2w?sub_confirmation=1