E-learning course: The Art of Meetings (Concept Project)

Projects

This scenario-based eLearning course was designed to help lead project managers conduct effective, engaging, and results-driven meetings. Through realistic decision points and immediate feedback, learners practiced setting clear agendas, managing time, and fostering balanced participation.

Audience: Lead Project Managers responsible for guiding and mentoring other project managers.

My Role: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Canva, Vyond, Photoshop.

Overview

Problem:
A large organization identified that project leads were struggling to run effective meetings. Despite their technical expertise, meetings often lacked structure, ran over time, and failed to engage participants. This led to wasted time, unclear next steps, and reduced team morale.

Solution:
After conducting a needs analysis, I recommended a scenario-based learning experience focused on real-world meeting challenges. The course placed learners in branching scenarios where they had to make choices about agenda planning, time management, handling dominant or disengaged participants, and encouraging balanced participation. Each decision provided immediate feedback, allowing managers to practice skills in a safe, realistic environment.

Outcome:
Following implementation, managers reported stronger confidence in leading meetings, clearer agendas, and better use of team time. The training reinforced accountability, increased participation, and improved overall meeting effectiveness. This demonstrated the value of scenario-based design in solving performance issues tied to communication and leadership.

I designed and developed this project with the following steps:

• Creating the Action Map

• Writing the Text-based Storyboard

• Designing the Visual Mockups

• Developing the Interactive Prototype

• Finalizing and Publishing the Project

Each section played an important part in developing the fully-functioning learning experience.

Process

Action mapping

Action mapping in eLearning presents an effective way to identify the most critical problem, investigate the root cause of it and map out the solution in an action map flow chart. I used Mindmeister software to build this one.

Text-based Storyboard

After mapping out the key actions, I created a text-based storyboard to outline the learning experience from start to finish. Using Google Docs allowed me to keep the process cloud-based, organized, and easy to revise. Each slide was documented in detail, including title screens, prompts, mentor tips, programming notes, and planned interactions.

One of the main benefits of this approach was the flexibility to make multiple revisions before moving into development. Once the storyboard was finalized and reviewed, I transitioned into designing the visual look and feel of the course. I used Canva for this step because of its user-friendly interface and ability to quickly produce professional layouts that aligned with the instructional goals.

This combination of careful upfront planning and iterative refinement ensured that the prototype was both instructionally sound and visually engaging before development in Storyline began.

Visual Mockups

For the visual design, I focused on creating an experience that was both professional and approachable. Each mock-up went through multiple iterations to ensure clarity, consistency, and usability. Because video elements would later be developed in Vyond, I incorporated placeholder visuals during the mock-up phase so the overall flow remained cohesive.

To guide the design, I applied key principles such as proximity, alignment, contrast, and typography, ensuring every element supported comprehension and minimized distraction. I also selected a calm, balanced color scheme to set the tone for the course. Color was used not only for aesthetics but to support readability and create a learning environment that felt engaging without being overwhelming.

Interactive Prototype

The interactive prototype served as the first functional preview of the course. While not fully polished, it allowed stakeholders to experience how the project would look and flow from a learner’s perspective. Built in Articulate Storyline 360, the prototype included representative slide layouts, button functionality, and sample video interactions.

Creating this early version provided a clear visual and interactive reference point for feedback. Stakeholders were able to test navigation, evaluate course flow, and share their input before final development began. Using an iterative cycle of prototype → feedback → revision, I refined the design and functionality step by step.

This process not only streamlined development but also ensured that the final product aligned with both the design intent and user needs. By the time the prototype transitioned into the fully developed course, the structure and interactions were already validated, making the build smooth and efficient.

Full Development

After the prototype was finalized, I transitioned into building the complete learning experience in Articulate Storyline 360. This development phase took several weeks and incorporated all finalized interactions, design elements, and media assets.

One of the most impactful features of the course was the use of animated videos created with Vyond. These animations were carefully scripted and designed to establish a narrative thread throughout the course, helping learners connect with the content on a more personal level. By embedding a “story” within the training, the animations captured attention, reinforced key points, and gave learners a memorable context for applying meeting best practices.

The combination of interactivity, strong visual design, and engaging animation resulted in a dynamic, learner-centered experience that moved beyond static slides to something immersive and practical.

• Custom Visuals – Every visual asset was sourced and edited for consistency, including resizing, recoloring, and adapting individual elements to create a cohesive look and feel.

• Mentor Feedback – Learners received guidance from a mentor character, Mateo, who offered tailored feedback on each choice. His presence provided context, encouragement, and clear explanations.

• Light Gamification – An emoji-based success meter gave learners instant feedback on their progress, helping to keep them engaged and motivated.

• Branching Scenarios – Realistic decision points allowed learners to explore multiple paths and see the consequences of their choices, reinforcing application of meeting best practices.

• Downloadable Job Aid – A take-away reference supported on-the-job application, ensuring the learning extended beyond the course.

Key Features

Results & Takeaways

This project strengthened my skills in Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Creative tools, and visual design. Feedback from testers highlighted its clean, professional look and user-friendly flow. Learners especially appreciated the gamification elements—such as the success meter and character choice—which made the experience more engaging.

Action mapping was invaluable in shaping the design. It helped me pinpoint performance gaps, focus on measurable actions, and prioritize practical solutions. I also came to appreciate how small details—like spacing, font weight, or animation consistency—play a big role in the learner’s overall experience.

As a concept project, the scope was intentionally limited. In a real-world rollout, I would expand the scenarios for broader application. Still, this project gave me end-to-end experience with scenario-based design and development, while allowing me to stretch my creativity in rewarding ways.