Background

During my time as a freelance instructional designer, I had the unique opportunity to embed with established teams midway through high-impact projects. One such collaboration involved a well-known custodial company aiming to upskill its nationwide workforce in proper cleaning and maintenance techniques. With custodial staff spread across the United States, the training solution needed to meet three essential criteria: everyday, easy-to-digest language; highly engaging, interactive features; and real-time comprehension checks with the ability to test out confidently.

Drawing from my previous work with a custodial association, I developed a custom eLearning lesson tailored to these needs. I not only designed the instructional flow and interactive elements—I also produced and edited the voice-over narration myself, applying audio engineering skills I honed during my time at Optum. Using both Audacity and Adobe Audition, I ensured the final audio was crisp, clear, and professional—bringing the content to life with tone and pacing that matched the learner’s experience.

While this sample excludes the original assignments, assessments, and knowledge checks for brevity, the full version was built to reinforce retention and encourage mastery. The content itself, though inspired by my freelance work, is based on publicly available best practices in custodial care. The company featured in this example is fictional, but the instructional design and production quality reflect the real-world standards I bring to every project.

Audio Recording

Exploring Voice Overs 

​

Adding voice-over narration isn’t just a personal touch—it’s a powerful tool for accessibility. When developing the voice-over script for this course, I focused on keeping the language conversational, relevant, and easy to understand. With custodial workers as the target audience, clarity was key. Many learners may speak English as a second or third language, or have limited proficiency, so I made sure the script was simple, digestible, and supportive of diverse learning needs.

To further enhance accessibility, I leveraged Articulate’s built-in controls, allowing learners to adjust playback speed and enable closed captions. These features help bridge language gaps and ensure that every learner can engage with the material at their own pace.

For the recording, I used a standard ATR2500X-USB Microphone from Audio Technica, paired with a pop filter and noise-canceling accessories to capture clean, consistent audio. I recorded the entire script in one sitting to maintain vocal tone and expression—since voice can subtly shift throughout the day, consistency matters.

Once I had the raw audio, I ran it through a series of custom filters in Audacity tailored to my vocal profile. Then, I refined the file in Adobe Audition, applying advanced filters to eliminate hum, reduce background noise, and polish the final sound. The process was meticulous and time-consuming, but the result was a professional, personal narration that enhances the learning experience and reflects the care I bring to every project

Process and Design 

Before I joined the project, the team had already established a solid foundation: a clear timeline, progress monitoring tools, and a client-approved slide prototype. The project manager emphasized the client’s desire for a “highly interactive” module that stayed within budget. Fortunately, the company provided a rich library of design assets—including custom icons, branded photography and video of custodial procedures, and a full brand kit. I also had access to previously completed modules to ensure visual and instructional continuity. I was given full access to all PDF training materials, project files, and subject matter experts.

I began by storyboarding the lesson, breaking down the training PDFs into clear, manageable learning objectives. Using adult learning theory and human-centered design principles, I structured the content to be intuitive and engaging. While writing the storyboard, I also crafted the voice-over script for each slide, keeping the language conversational and accessible for learners of varying educational backgrounds and language proficiency.

Once the storyboard was finalized, I moved into slide design. I maintained the established aesthetic while focusing on interactivity—using markers, states, and hover features to create a dynamic experience. In the final version (not shown here), I incorporated 360-degree images with hotspots to highlight key points, embedded drag-and-drop activities, and built-in knowledge checks to reinforce learning. I also used the resource library to integrate relevant images and icons. The finished module aligned seamlessly with previous designs, delivering a cohesive, engaging, and learner-friendly experience.

Takeaways