Instructional design is an eclectic and specialized field built on unique skill sets used to create better learning experiences and materials. Instructional designers (IDs) have come from wide-ranging backgrounds such as art, computer science, business management, video production, technical writing, foreign languages, mathematics, philosophy, and teacher education.
Successful IDs possess expertise in several key areas such as learning theories and principles, training paradigms, multimedia production, project management, program evaluation, and various web technologies. Another important trait of IDs is the capacity to understand instructional/learning design as an evolving field and assimilate other skills and concepts as they emerge.
With such a dynamic skillset, instructional designers work in many diverse fields such as large corporations, higher education, traditional manufacturing environments, positions within state and national governments, nonprofit organizations, as well as military and military/government contractors. Additionally, the latest trends suggest instructional designers are increasingly self-employed on a freelance or contract basis.
Job prospects are promising. According to BLS, jobs such as Instructional Coordinators, are poised to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029. Additionally, BLS projects Training and Development Specialists, another career for IDs to grow 9% – faster than average – within the same time period.
