In an industry that has a lot of resources, I think there’s still a missing piece of the puzzle. We need more collaboration and working out loud! What do you think?
I’ve been thinking a great deal recently about the creative process. I’ve spent a long time “learning how to use captivate” while dabbling in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Adobe XD when I had a need to try to use them, but have realized that without a clear purpose and time to play, I revert to “simpler” and more familiar tools even when I know that it would be a better overall experience to create in Captivate.
Having limited resources (time and staff primarily) to assist in the creative process has a huge impact on the product quality. It prevents me from exploring new products, expanding my toolset, and ultimately makes for a more mediocre final outcome. It’s “good enough” but not nearly as good as it can be.
I keep at it, but have been frustrated at what I see as a “gap” in support for the creative process. There are lots of “how-to” videos, lots of expensive courses, workshops, and certifications, but not a lot I’ve been able to find in the way of practical support for the “everyday” Adobe Captivate (and other Adobe tools) user. I would love to be part of a community that would enable me to have someone “hold my hand” and/or mentor me through projects as I have questions. I know I can post questions in the community but waiting on responses and/or not even knowing if I will get a response delays and can even stop my progress altogether.
During the Adobe Specialist Certification Training Session, Damien said something that has really stuck with me. He said “I can teach you the craft, but I can’t teach you the art.” There is a lot of support for the craft, blogs, youtube videos, etc. but very little in the way of support for the art. I would love to see a “work out loud”, collaborative space that includes every step of the creative process from concept to finished product. Are there others that feel like this is a need in our industry? What do you feel would be useful to you as you develop your skills and do your jobs?
Lita,
I love documentaries because they can be a great way to learn about such topics. One of my favourite documentaries is Helvetica. It’s a documentary about typography, graphic design, and global visual culture and of course, it goes into depth on the font as well. It was directed by Gary Hustwit who has done several other documentaries in the same vein.
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/helvetica3
He also did a documentary on Dieter Rams, who is considered to be one of the most influential designers. I haven’t seen this one, but it’s on my list to watch.
Also is the documentary called Objectified, which is about industrial design. All very interesting and undoubtedly influential when it comes to designing eLearning.
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/objectified/
Paul
Thanks Paul, I’ll take a look. Usually documentary type consolidate the process and only show glimpses, which is not exactly what I am looking for. Really am loving the discussion though!
I found these documentaries very inspirational and gave me lots of ideas. Hopefully, they have the same effect on you. Are you attending the Washington conference in March?
I will be there and testing some live stream options to maybe do some trials with the projects I’m working on. Figure it can’t hurt anything if I’m talking to myself initially! On a side note, I just “leveled up” and can’t remember who to contact to get my YEAR free (woo hoo!). Thanks for your inspiration and encouragement For the past couple of years!
It works like this: https://elearning.adobe.com/2018/08/serial-numbers-upon-reaching-levels/
Thanks Todd, it’s been different for me in the past because I don’t need a new Serial Number, they typically just comp my active subscription, but I appreciate the link to the article. I just posted a comment, so we’ll see. It’s actually been different every time so far!
Ah, now I see what you mean by “work out loud.” You mentioned that on the live stream on Monday. Lita, do you have a Lynda.com account? If so there are a few courses in design but I have another suggestion…
I’ve recently given myself a new challenge. In Canada, we have CBC The National, a daily news show that is slightly left of center politically speaking. In the last year, they completely redesigned their show with new hosts, new graphics, and new studio sets and so on. I’ve been watching the design layout of their show and have made it my goal to create a new theme for 2019 influenced by the shows look and feel.
I think a great challenge for those that are interested, is to take your favourite magazine-style news television show and copy the design aesthetics of the show. It doesn’t have to be precisely the same but when you see the layouts it reminds you of that show. The main thing is that it breaks away from the PowerPoint model of eLearning design and looks to use the same elements you would see in television.
Interesting; I think community challenges can definitely be something (again, like the Adobe XD challenges where they have the live stream) are so incredible because you see “experts” going through the creative process and then every level of expertise completing the same challenge on Behance. It helps to inspire, and to set some benchmarks for skill levels for me.
Also, I do have the Lynda account (aka LinkedIn Learning) and have learned so much over the years from those courses.
I’ve been thinking about posting a series of videos that work through a real-world challenge. I’m not sure I’d categorize myself an expert, but I sure have used Captivate a lot. Let’s be honest, the scariest thing is facing the inevitable heartbreaking feedback.
Todd, go for it! It sounds a great idea. Feedback is scary, but you’ll only get constructive and positive feedback from me and I’m sure the awesome community on here.
That’s what makes it so valuable. We’re all insecure and feel like our process is messy and slow, but to see “experts” thinking through the process is empowering and instructive for learners and the feedback is valuable for experts who want to continue to improve in their field. The idea of being able to “look over the shoulder” of people as they work is exciting and I would love it if you put something out there Todd!
Also, creating eLearning, courses or training, is much more than just developing in captivate so seeing the entire work flow including things like Adobe XD as a prototype, how people use powerpoint or word for storyboarding, etc. is crucial for people wanting to improve their skills, so having more experienced people showing creative process from concept to production is valuable. The process is bigger than and more encompassing than just “Adobe Captivate”. This is the “elearning” forum, not the Captivate forum! 😀
Appreciation of art and design is very different depending on your background and history as well. This community is mainly dominated by North Americans, and I often bump into that type of differences, since I am from ‘old’ Europe. Once I got the message that ‘orange’ can never be used in an eLearning project because it reminds of the ‘gay’ community. In Europe we don’t care about that (and it is pink here). Just a very low-level example.
I try to share a lot of my ‘craft’ expertise, combined with the results of my experiences as trainer in many topics (technological, ICT, project management, flute playing, chamber music etc…). I am very reluctant to talk about design for the reason I mentioned.
Moreover very little ‘experts’ are willing to share their expertise as well, which is understandable since there is a lto of abuse and everyone has to earn his living. I will never be able to earn my living with my Captivate skills.
I completely agree Lieve and really am more thinking about creative process rather than specific design. I think Adobe Live is a great step in the right direction. I’ve learned so much just having that on and watching them walk through the entire design process with XD challenges.
Adobe Live is limited to the big creative applications, I have watched it as well and understand now better what you mean. I try to defend Captivate in the community of ACP’s but it is a tough job, most of them are looking down on Captivate. Wished I could do something similar., will remain just wishful thinking.
Lieve, I know you don’t think too highly of “North Americans,” but you should know that the majority of North Americans do not feel that way about the LGBTQ community. If someone told me I couldn’t use the colour orange in my elearning because it associates the learning with the gay community, I would laugh in their face. It’s completely ridiculous.
Lita, In a perfect world Wed have time to mentor each other. Can one teach the art? Not sure. But you can learn it by watching others and sharing (if that’s what you meant) I pitched a while ago for a share your work monthly challenge. Adobe are making inroads into it but until then I’m working out loud on here.
Chris
Completely agree Christian and not even necessarily thinking about mentoring. I mentioned the creative process and Adobe Live as an example in my response to Lieve. Sharing works in process is another great step, but still not exactly what I mean. Melissa Milloway is posting more along the lines of what I’m thinking…it’s seeing the creator actually work through the thought process, seeing decisions made, changes made in real time and what that looks like, rather than just seeing the finished product. There are lots of “micro-decisions” made throughout a creative process, color, shape, placement, font, etc. etc. etc. and understanding how much time this really takes I think is important for people learning the craft as I think often they wonder if it’s taking them way longer than other people to make something simple. Really appreciate all the others like yourself taking steps in that direction to share their ongoing projects and I like the idea of the monthly challenge!
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