Slides don’t teach. Designer do.

From my own experience working in instructional design, one of the biggest challenges is shifting the mindset away from focusing solely on the aesthetics of slides to truly designing for how learners absorb and use information. As emphasized, the strategy comes first — understanding the learner's needs, the learning objectives, and how best to engage the audience — before applying visual design elements. For example, when handling a compliance training update, it’s crucial to distill key policy changes into clear and interactive components rather than overwhelming learners with lengthy slide decks. Incorporating scenario-based quizzes and knowledge checks not only helps reinforce learning but also keeps learners engaged. This approach aligns well with the idea that instructional designers turn a subject matter expert’s “brain dump” into digestible content that serves real learning goals. Additionally, I’ve found that breaking down complex content into modules with well-defined objectives allows learners to focus on specific outcomes, such as identifying the three key policy changes after a video or interactive activity. Including up-to-date organizational charts or relevant visuals helps contextualize the information without relying purely on slide quantity or flashy design. A common myth I’ve encountered in this field is that instructional design is just about making slides look nicer or more modern. But real instructional design is about intentionality — designing experiences that facilitate knowledge retention and practical application. The integration of strategy and visual elements creates a balanced, effective learning environment. I encourage other instructional designers and content creators to focus on meaningful learning design instead of slide count or superficial slide décor. By sharing this perspective and asking others about the biggest instructional design myths they’ve heard, we can continually improve how learning experiences are crafted and delivered, fostering a community that values learner-centric design above all.