Combine design thinking and AI to create engaging microlearning videos
As an instructional designer, I’ve always been drawn to the challenge of simplifying complex concepts. I asked this question in an educational setting where time is a luxury and commitment is elusive. How can you deliver impactful learning moments in just minutes? The answer is revealed through bite-sized, learner-centered, and focused microlearning videos. But the real magic happened when we approached content creation using a design thinking framework, a process that transforms problems into stories and solutions.
principles of design thinking
1. Empathize
It started with listening. I sat down with educators, students, and staff and listened to their frustrations, from professors juggling calendars to staff overwhelmed by new tools. Their struggle became a story waiting to be told.
2. Define
From these conversations, I reframed the problem into a scenario. “What would this look like in their world?” For the professor, it was a series of chaotic meetings. This step provided clarity and direction.
3. Generate ideas
Based on clear scenarios, we brainstormed in conjunction with AI tools. Together, we wrote concise scripts, created relatable examples, and designed visuals to bring these stories to life. To connect via voice, we used AI narration and made sure the tone and language were clear, engaging, and multilingual.
4. Prototype
I shared an early version of the video (an incomplete but working one) with a small group. Their feedback was like an editor honing a draft and shaping the story until it clicked.
5. Test
Finally, we observed how the learners interacted with the video. were they engaged? Did they walk away with an answer? Their responses showed us where to improve and ensured we were delivering value at every moment.
By treating each step like a storytelling process, design thinking helps transform challenges into solutions that learners can see, hear, and empathize with, turning minutes into moments that truly matter. Ta.
Creating microlearning videos using design thinking and AI: An overview of the process
1. Empathize: Listen to your community.
All good solutions start with understanding your users. I began with a series of conversations and immersed myself in the experiences of educators, students, and staff. Instead of skimming the surface, we dug deeper to uncover their pain points and needs.
A professor was frustrated with calendar synchronization for team projects. The dean’s assistant said she was overwhelmed by the new tools without clear guidance. Staff members highlighted the lack of resources available to Spanish-speaking learners.
These insights weren’t just questions. They were an opportunity to create meaningful learning solutions. I recorded these conversations in my journal as reflections, keeping my focus objective and empathetic.
To further clarify these issues, I leveraged an AI chatbot to turn notes into actionable research questions. For example: How can we teach calendar syncing in a clear and engaging way? From there, we created a mind map with seven key questions that address specific needs within our community.
2. Definition: Turn the challenge into a scenario
With a clear understanding of the user challenges, I reframed each problem as a scenario on which to base my approach. For calendar sync, I visualized it like this: Professors juggling multiple classes and meetings need a clear and simple guide to effectively combining their calendars.
We then asked the chatbot to narrow down the ideas. “What steps should I include in my microlearning video to make calendar merging simple, engaging, and practical?” An outline was provided. This step ensured that the problem remained learner-focused and connected to real-world needs.
3. Idea: Create a vision for your video
With the scenario set, we started brainstorming solutions and collaborating with AI to bring our content to life.
script development
The next step was to make my vision a reality. I started with a draft of the script, and here the chatbot became my co-author. This allowed us to fine-tune the wording and keep the tone professional and approachable while still making the video relatable. The script was short (2 minutes max) and focused on solving one problem: merging calendars. For example: “Create a two-minute script that combines calendars using real-life scenarios and keeping the tone fun and clear.”
visual design
I used an online graphic design tool to create clean, polished slides that followed the script. The visuals were purposeful and we emphasized key actions, such as the “sync” button and calendar view, to avoid overloading the learner.
Accessibility and narration
Using an AI-powered voice generator, we were able to create audio narrations in both English and Spanish, ensuring that our content was inclusive and accessible to all learners. I adjusted the tone and pace to match the flow of the visuals. Synchronizing the narration and visuals was a delicate process, but with careful timing, the result was perfect, providing a smooth and immersive learning experience for all viewers.
Together, these elements formed a consistent, engaging, and learner-centered video prototype.
4. Prototype: Communicate the vision to learners
Once the microlearning video was ready, we used a multifaceted approach to share it with the community.
easy access
I uploaded the videos to my training hub and made sure they were searchable, well-organized, and categorized for quick access. On our video platform, we’ve optimized the title and description for searchability, making it easy for those looking for help with calendar integration to find it.
Community participation
But what I liked most was when the videos became part of the community of practice sessions. This allows participants to explore challenges together, share experiences, and collaborate in real time. When I saw my learners click play, absorb the information, and immediately put it into practice, I knew all my efforts had paid off. During community practice sessions, learners watched videos, shared insights, and collaboratively discussed challenges. Seeing them apply the content right away proved its effectiveness.
This experience also led to the creation of a feedback loop regarding the use of calendar tools. As learners shared their thoughts and challenges, I gained new insights that helped me refine the video content to suit their needs. At this stage, the goal was to observe, gather feedback, and further refine the solution, rather than just deliver. Our continuous improvement cycle has not only improved the learning experience, but also deepened our understanding of how to better support the evolving needs of our community.
5. Testing: Improvement through continuous feedback
The real power of design thinking lies in its iterative nature. The feedback was almost instantaneous. Many users praise the clarity of the videos, while others suggest additional features and support for different languages. We again used AI tools to analyze the input and refine the next set of videos. Each iteration has become more refined, comprehensive, and tailored to the evolving needs of our learners.
AI-powered workflows for creating slides and scripts make these adjustments easy. Changes were implemented on the fly to keep content fresh, responsive, and in sync with audience needs. This approach also allowed us to keep our training relevant, adapt quickly to the introduction of new technology, and keep our learners connected and focused throughout the experience.
We used AI tools to analyze feedback and make adjustments in real time.
Script updated. Visuals have been tweaked. New videos have been created to meet your evolving needs.
What makes this process truly unique is its immediacy. Everything happens in real time during course delivery. Users saw their suggestions seamlessly integrated into the video, creating a sense of collaboration and ownership. This made participants feel like co-creators of the course and dramatically increased engagement.
This immediate response created a feedback loop in which learners felt heard and included, turning them into active collaborators. Integrating their suggestions has ensured that our videos are always fresh, relevant and engaging.
Impact: Solutions that empower
What started as a conversation turned into a solution that empowers learners. These microlearning videos became more than just a tool, they became a bridge that connected users to knowledge in an accessible, timely, and actionable way.
The design thinking process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test) ensures that every video addresses a real need and provides immediate value. But the process didn’t end there. Each step feeds into the next, creating a cycle of improvement. With each iteration, feedback fueled us, turning challenges into opportunities and evolving our content into even better versions.
AI was the catalyst to scale this journey. We’ve streamlined scripting, refined visuals, ensured inclusivity through multilingual narration, and made processes faster and smarter. AI tools did not replace creativity. AI tools have expanded my creativity and helped me explore ideas I hadn’t imagined and quickly test solutions.
Together, design thinking and AI have formed a system in constant motion, a continuous story of learning, refinement, and innovation. Each video was a stepping stone, building toward a larger vision of accessible, learner-centered education that evolves with the world. By staying iterative and focused on the learner, we discovered new ways to make learning more effective, one microlearning video at a time.
