This scenario-based eLearning experience is a concept project designed to help bridal stylists develop the skills to connect with clients and guide them toward finding their dream dress. Stylists practice making realistic decisions in a low-stakes simulation that demonstrates the impact of both right and wrong choices on the job.

• Audience: Bridal stylists 

• Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Action Mapping, Storyboard, and Mockups

• Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360 (Standard and AI), Figma, Adobe Illustrator, MindMeister, Google Docs

The Problem 

Amore Bridal Boutique, a leading wedding gown retailer in North America, noticed a big challenge among its bridal stylists—many were struggling to connect with their clients. Out of 2,200 stylists, about 60% weren’t finding the right balance between building relationships and guiding brides toward a purchase. Some were too focused on making a sale, while others spent too much time trying to befriend the bride without moving the appointment forward. On top of that, some stylists were bringing personal stress into appointments, making it even harder to connect.

This disconnect was showing up in customer feedback. Struggling stylists were receiving an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, meaning only half of brides left satisfied. This wasn’t just affecting client experiences—it was impacting sales, employee morale, and even stylist pay. Amore Bridal needed a training solution to help stylists improve their client connections, boost satisfaction scores to at least 4 out of 5 stars, and create a better experience for both brides and employees.

The Solution

To address this challenge, I proposed a scenario-based, story-driven eLearning module designed to help bridal stylists develop the skills they need to connect with their clients. After consulting with an experienced bridal stylist as a subject matter expert (SME), it became clear that the root of the problem was a lack of knowledge and practical strategies. Stylists weren’t intentionally disconnecting from their brides—they simply didn’t know how to balance relationship-building with appointment goals effectively.

A scenario-based approach was the perfect fit because it allows stylists to learn by doing. In this interactive training, they step into a simulation where they make realistic decisions about how to interact with a bridal client. Their choices directly impact the outcome, showing them in real time how their approach influences the client experience. If they make mistakes, they have opportunities to try again, reinforcing learning in a safe, low-pressure environment. This hands-on approach ensures they not only understand key connection strategies but also feel confident applying them on the job.

My Process

I designed and developed this project by first creating an action map, then writing a text-based storyboard, designing visual mockups, and developing an interactive prototype before completing the full development of the eLearning experience. This was an iterative and collaborative process following the ADDIE model, where I gathered feedback, made adjustments, and implemented improvements along the way.

Action Map

I worked closely with the SME to identify the stylists' performance challenges and the company's business goal of improving bridal experience ratings. Using this information, I developed an action map focused on aligning training with that goal. Drawing on insights from Cathy Moore’s Map It, I prioritized what stylists need to do to build stronger connections with brides—rather than just outlining what they need to know. By focusing on the most impactful actions, we ensured the training would drive real behavior change, directly supporting the business goal and enhancing customer satisfaction.

 View my action map created on Mindmeister below. 

Text-based Storyboard

I created a text-based storyboard using the high-priority actions from the action map as the foundation for the correct decisions in the simulation. Drawing from SME insights, research, and the action map, I designed a realistic and immersive experience that mirrors the world bridal stylists navigate daily. The simulation includes lifelike scenarios with both positive and negative consequences, allowing learners to see the real impact of their choices.

To enhance engagement, I used storytelling to introduce learners to Amore Bridal—a setting where they can practice their connection-building skills in a safe, interactive environment. A mentor character is available throughout the experience, providing guidance and on-demand support as needed. Learners step into the role of a bridal stylist for the day, working closely with a client named Brandy. Their choices throughout the simulation will either strengthen or weaken their connection with her, ultimately determining whether she finds her dream dress by the end of the experience.

 Visual Mockups

Using Figma, I started by creating a mood board to gather inspiration for the project’s visuals. I sourced potential graphics and then moved into Adobe Illustrator to experiment with background images. To ensure a cohesive and visually appealing design, I completely redesigned vector images to create a custom bridal boutique setting inspired by my mood board.

Since I couldn’t find bridal-themed character packs that fit my vision, I got creative in Adobe Illustrator, customizing vector images to develop unique character variations that matched the style I had imagined. To maintain consistency throughout the project, I designed a style guide in Figma, ensuring that buttons, typography, and other visual elements remained uniform. Additionally, I created wireframes and high-fidelity mockups, which allowed me to gather feedback and refine the layout before moving into full development in Articulate Storyline.

View some of the visual designs for this project below.

Interactive Prototype

After finalizing the visual design, I developed an interactive prototype using Articulate Storyline 360 to bring the story and visuals to life with interactive functionality. The prototype included several interactive slides, leading up to the first scenario-based question where learners had to make a decision, as well as a preview of the conclusion.

This prototype allowed me to collect valuable feedback on both functionality and design. During testing, we identified and resolved technical issues, such as glitchy buttons, by refining element grouping and adjusting shape states in Storyline. I also ensured consistency in learner pronouns within speech bubbles to maintain a gender-neutral experience. After addressing these refinements, I received the green light to move forward with the full development!

Full Development

With the feedback from the prototype applied, I moved forward with developing the full project in Articulate Storyline 360. During this process, I explored AI features within Storyline that allowed me to enhance the experience even further. I discovered that the AI text-to-speech feature provided high-quality voiceovers, so I decided to integrate it into the project.

Initially, I combined AI voiceovers with on-screen text speech bubbles, but I realized this did not align with Mayer’s Redundancy Principle of multimedia learning, which advises against displaying redundant text alongside narrated graphics. To address this, I created two distinct learning pathways: a text-only option for learners who prefer reading and a sound-only option featuring AI voice narration, giving it a more video-like feel. On one of the first slides, learners can choose their preferred experience, allowing for a more personalized learning journey. This was one of the major improvements from the prototype to the final build.

The full version also included all remaining scenarios and decision points, guiding learners through interactive challenges to help Brandy find her dream dress. At the end of the experience, the learner’s choices unfold in a final montage, showing how their decisions shaped Brandy’s journey. To reinforce success, learners are rewarded with a glowing 5-star review and a realistic social media post from the bride, celebrating their achievement.

Throughout the final build, I continued collecting feedback and refining the experience, ensuring a polished and engaging eLearning solution.

Results and Takeaways

The SME I worked with shared this feedback:

"I really love the project you created. It's something that could be very beneficial to stylists working in a bridal shop. If more interactive training like this were available, stylists would be better equipped to handle situations they might not otherwise know how to manage. The project is very user-friendly, and aesthetically, it is cohesive without being overwhelming."

Developing this concept project allowed me to sharpen my skills as an instructional designer. I followed the ADDIE Model throughout the process and gained valuable insights along the way. One of the key lessons that will guide my future projects is the critical importance of the analysis phase—this step was essential in identifying the root causes of performance and knowledge gaps and shaping a targeted solution to address the client’s needs effectively.

If this were a real-world implementation, the next phase would involve rolling out the training to a test group of bridal stylists, gathering feedback, and analyzing data to assess its impact. I would track key performance indicators, such as improvements in bridal experience ratings and stylist confidence levels, to determine if the training met the business goal. Based on learner feedback and performance data, I would make iterative refinements to enhance the course and ensure it delivers measurable results. Future iterations could also explore additional branching scenarios or interactive elements to further immerse learners in real-world decision-making.

The most enjoyable part of the project was the development and creative process. I loved crafting the story and visuals to create an engaging, simulation-like experience that felt immersive and aesthetically appealing. I also enjoyed experimenting with the timeline in Storyline, fine-tuning interactions, and manipulating effects to bring my vision to life. This project reinforced my passion for designing meaningful, interactive learning experiences, and I look forward to applying these insights to future projects.