Acne management for pharmacists

Client: The Australasian College of Pharmacy.

My responsibilities: Instructional design (storyboarding, mock-ups, prototypes, full build), graphic design and animation, custom illustration, scenario development and quiz writing.

Tools used: Articulate Rise 360, Articulate Storyboard 360, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Canva, Google Docs, Miro.

Duration: Three months.

The challenge

The initial text-based storyboard for this pharmacist training program, created by the subject-matter expert (SME) involved, was misaligned with Rise 360’s modular structure. Furthermore, the content I received lacked accurate Australian pharmacist illustrations, included unlicensed medical images, and did not contain necessary interactive elements to reinforce learning.

Summary

The solution

I restructured the storyboard to fit Rise 360’s format and had it approved by the SME. I created custom illustrations representing Australian pharmacists in traditional uniforms and replaced unlicensed medical images with free and royalty-free alternatives. Additionally, I added knowledge checks and a custom mini-scenario to enhance engagement, ensuring the final product met the training needs effectively.

Creation of custom illustrations

Most stock illustrations show pharmacists in American-style lab coats, and the feedback was that these illustrations were not connecting with its Australian audience. In Australia, pharmacists wear collared tunics, known as "Ben Caseys," usually with a name badge and pharmacy branding. Including these details in the illustrations ensured the visual content was accurate and relatable, enhancing the training programme's authenticity and effectiveness.

My process

Examples of custom illustrations that I created in a flat-design style.

Examples of custom illustrations that I created in an isometric style.

Aligning storyboard with the Rise 360 menu structure

Upon review of the initial text-based storyboard, it became evident that a more coherent organisation into topics and lessons was needed to optimise the learning experiences within Articulate Rise 360. Recognising the significance of this structural alignment, a collaborative dialogue was initiated with the SME to realign the content accordingly.

I carefully restructured the storyboard into topics containing multiple lessons which facilitated a more intuitive navigation experience and seamless integration within Articulate Rise 360..

Interactive scenario planning

One of the main highlights of the training is an interactive scenario where users step into the role of a pharmacist helping a shy and hesitant patient discuss acne. This scenario features custom-edited graphics and provides realistic feedback on the consequences of the choices made by the student, offering a practical and engaging learning experience.

The result

Interactive scenario

The scenario provides a realistic and engaging learning experience, helping users apply their knowledge in a practical context. By incorporating consequences as feedback, the activity enables users to understand the impact of their choices.

Selected screenshots

One of the notable highlights is the inclusion of custom-designed icons and graphs, which provide a visually cohesive and intuitive user experience. These elements are complemented by nearly 100 custom illustrations, each tailored to align with the module's content and objectives, ensuring clarity and relevance.The module is designed to fit all screen sizes, ensuring accessibility and usability across various devices, from desktops to mobile phones.

Reflections and learnings

Storyboard structure and setup

One crucial learning from this project was the importance of aligning the text-based storyboard with the structure preferred by Rise 360 from the outset. Ensuring that clients and subject matter experts (SMEs) are aware of the preferred structure used by Articulate Storyline 360 before the storyboard development begins is essential.

This awareness helps prevent the complex and time-consuming process of re-editing and restructuring headings and content later on. By communicating these requirements early, the development process becomes smoother and more efficient, reducing the need for extensive revisions and allowing for a more streamlined workflow.

Custom graphics and illustrations

Creating custom illustrations proved to be a particularly time-intensive aspect of the project, especially when incorporating both flat and isometric perspectives.

To manage this more efficiently, starting with free stock illustrations as a base and then editing them can save a significant amount of time. Additionally, securing appropriate and licensed stock imagery from the client at the beginning of the project can prevent the need to recreate these assets later.

This approach not only speeds up the process but also ensures that the visual content is both high quality and relevant to the learning material, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the module.

Development of branching scenarios

Developing branching scenarios was another complex task that offered valuable insights. It is best to start by developing a branching template first and then adding the content.

This method helps in organising the scenario structure and makes the integration of content more manageable. Additionally, testing the branching scenario with real users using a simple text-based prototype before creating graphics and setting up the actual branching in the software is invaluable.

This step can save considerable time by identifying potential issues and making necessary adjustments early in the process, ensuring a more polished and effective final product.

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