A 9-Month Skill-Building eLearning Series for Aspring Designers

Learner Analysis

Before developing the courses, a comprehensive learner analysis was conducted at all levels to understand the needs, prior knowledge, and learning preferences of the target audience: beginner users of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Elements. Methods for collecting data included interpreting survey feedback and cataloging common 'pain points' expressed in other classes or shared on social media. Using my analysis, I developed 1 persona — the Builders — and identified their key skill gaps, learning goals, and technological requirements, ensuring that the course content was both relevant and accessible.

Instructional Design Methods & Theory

I chose Gangé's Nine Events of Instruction to provide a clear, structured learning experience that guided beginners step-by-step through increasingly complex Photoshop & Elements skills. The model ensured each class captured attention, set clear objectives, built on prior knowledge, and provided opportunities for practice, feedback, and real-world application, which are all critical elements for building technical proficiency and creative confidence in new designers.

The course design followed Cognitive Apprenticeship theory, a constructivist approach, to model expert thinking, scaffold learner practice, and gradually build independent creative problem-solving. By making the design process visible and supporting learners through structured practice and exploration, the course helped beginners develop both technical mastery and the confidence to apply their skills in real-world projects.