Rooted in Empathy

How My Portfolio Reflects Who I Am as a Designer

When I set out to build my instructional design portfolio, I didn’t just want to check a box. I wanted to tell a story. Not just about what I’ve done, but why I do it. My portfolio reflects who I am as a designer: someone who leads with empathy, blends creativity with research, and believes deeply in the power of inclusive, accessible learning.

It’s not just a showcase of skills. It’s a mirror of my professional identity.

You’ll see a blend of strategy and development because I love working across the full learning design process.

My blueprint and learner persona artifacts show how I analyze needs and craft intentional experiences, while the eLearning projects (especially the interactive ones!) highlight my ability to build sleek, engaging solutions that bring those strategies to life.

You’ll also find reflections and research, because learning is a lifelong thing for me. My research on digital equity and older workers, for example, is more than an academic project. It’s rooted in my real-world experience, and it informs how I design for a wide variety of learners in the corporate space.

If there’s a thread that runs through it all, it’s this:

1. Instructional design should be thoughtful.

2. Learning experiences should be engaging.

3. And no one should be left behind.

I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” training. I believe in choice, in access, and in designing with difference in mind. Not as an afterthought, but as a starting point.

My portfolio reflects this belief. It shows the alignment between my knowledge, skills, and goals:

• I know how to analyze, plan, and build

• I have the tools and techniques to develop accessible, modern learning solutions

• I am working toward a career where I can make learning work better for everyone

In the end, I hope visitors to my site don’t just walk away thinking, “She can build a course.”I hope they walk away thinking, “She gets it.”