So... You're Getting a Husky
Tools Used
To create this course, I used:
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Mindmeister
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Microsoft Word / Google Docs
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Adobe Illustrator
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Adobe XD
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Articulate Storyline 360
Overview
The Problem. Siberian Huskies have been consistently rated among the most popular dog breeds by the AKC. People buy huskies as puppies because of their friendly nature and adorable looks. However, some people do not know about the particulars of the breed and become overwhelmed by what it takes to be a husky owner. This has resulted in a huge increase in the number of huskies in animal shelters and rescues across the United States.
The Solution. This concept project aims to educate potential husky owners on the particulars of the breed so they can make an informed decision before bringing a husky into their home. I envision this course being used by a husky rescue during their adoption process for new applicants as a way to provide some insights into the realities of husky ownership. This project could also be adapted by other rescue groups and include specific information about different dog breeds.
The Process
Action Mapping
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I created an action map based on feedback I received from my subject-matter expert (SME), a local dog trainer who specializes in working with huskies, and research about the topic.
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On the action map, I identified actionable steps new husky owners can take to select the appropriate dog for their lifestyle and to transition their new dog into their home.
Scripting
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I decided to base my scenario-based eLearning course on five of the actionable steps outlined on my action map. I began scripting by outlining my course on paper. This allowed me to shuffle through ideas quickly and construct a sequential narrative.
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One of the biggest challenges I had during this phase of the process was creating an authentic way for the audience to select a husky that fit a character’s lifestyle. In my initial iteration of the project script, the learner became a volunteer for the husky rescue and had to pick an applicant to help with the adoption process. This iteration of the script felt clunky, and the remainder of the course also felt impersonal because the user had an extra degree of separation. Later, I came back to the script and was able to revise the scenario.
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I used my initial framework and my revised narrative to write-up the storyboard in Google Docs. I included both the on-screen prompts, questions and consequences, and programming notes in my initial storyboard. This helped me visualize how I would eventually develop my course in Articulate Storyline, thinking through the use of slide layers and variables.
Creating Design Mock-Ups and a Visual Storyboard
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I began by creating mock-ups for the slides in Adobe XD. I chose to use XD to design the layout of my course because it is easy to quickly iterate different layouts and design options.
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To edit the graphics, I used Adobe Illustrator. At first, I was overwhelmed and intimidated by the new software. However, as I got into the workflow, I became much more comfortable editing characters. Because I decided to let the user select an avatar at the beginning of the course, I needed to create each pose three times - one for each avatar. While this was time consuming at first, the extra practice really helped, and I was able to learn a lot while creating this project!
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After deciding on the design, I created a visual storyboard in Microsoft Word by combining my designs with the final edit of the script and programming notes.
Development in Storyline
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Finally, I was ready to begin development in Articulate Storyline. I had to use multiple variables, conditions, states, and slide layers throughout the project.
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I am particularly proud of the animated sequences in this project. I hadn’t worked extensively with Storyline’s animation features in my previous projects. These sequences create an immersive feel in the course and were a lot of fun to create. I would love to continue learning more about animation for future projects!