How to become a learning experience designer

How to become a Learning Experience Designer

Becoming a Learning Experience Designer (LXD) involves a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience. Here's a general guide:

• Education: Start by obtaining a relevant degree in fields such as instructional design, educational technology, learning sciences, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Many LXDs have a bachelor's or master's degree, although some may also pursue doctoral degrees for advanced research and academic positions.
• Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your learning design projects and expertise. Include examples of instructional materials, e-learning modules, multimedia presentations, and user interface designs that demonstrate your skills and experience in LXD.
• Gain Experience: Look for opportunities to gain practical experience in learning experience design through internships, volunteer work, freelance projects, or entry-level positions in educational institutions, corporate training departments, e-learning companies, or learning technology startups. Seek out opportunities to work on real-world projects and collaborate with experienced LXDs and educators.
• Obtain Certifications (Optional): Consider pursuing certifications in instructional design, UX design, or learning technology to enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise to employers. Certifications such as Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Certified User Experience (UX) Professional, or certifications from industry-leading e-learning authoring tool providers can provide validation of your skills and knowledge in LXD (see below).
• Apply for Jobs: Once you have acquired the necessary education, skills, and experience, start applying for LXD positions. Look for job openings at educational institutions, corporate training departments, e-learning companies, learning technology startups, or freelance platforms. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills in learning experience design.

Certifications
There are several certifications and credentials available for learning experience designers that can enhance their skills and credentials. Here are some options:

• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP): Offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the CPLP certification is designed for professionals in talent development, including LXDs. The certification covers a broad range of competencies related to designing, developing, and delivering effective learning solutions.
• Certified E-Learning Specialist (CeLS): Offered by the E-Learning Guild, the CeLS certification program is designed for professionals who specialize in e-learning development, including LXDs. The certification covers topics such as instructional design, multimedia production, authoring tools, and learning management systems.
• Certified User Experience (UX) Professional: Offered by various organizations, including the Nielsen Norman Group and the Interaction Design Foundation, certifications in UX design can be beneficial for LXDs who focus on creating learner-centered experiences. These certifications cover principles of user-centered design, usability testing, and UX research methods.
• Articulate Certified Training: Articulate, the company behind popular e-learning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Rise, offers a certification program for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in using their software. The program includes training courses and exams to validate proficiency in designing and developing e-learning content.
• Certified Professional in Online Learning Facilitation (CPLM): Offered by the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), the CPLM certification is designed for professionals who design and deliver online learning experiences, including LXDs. The certification covers topics such as instructional design, facilitation techniques, and online learning technologies.
• Certified Professional in Learning Measurement (CPLM): Offered by the Training Industry, Inc., the CPLM certification is designed for professionals who specialize in learning measurement and evaluation, including LXDs. The certification covers topics such as assessment design, data analysis, and reporting for learning effectiveness.