Not content. Experience. Not fun. Impact. Not learning events. Real, transformative interactions that can shift how we think, feel, and perform.
We’re at a turning point. AI can generate faster, broader, cheaper content than ever. So the real differentiator isn’t knowledge, it’s experience design that actually influences behaviour and builds people's capability.
And that’s tough.
Because designing for experience means starting with the challenges people face, not topics or content.
It means accepting that 'learning' doesn’t always feel good, in fact, it’s often the sting of experience that actually drives change.
It’s layered too. Like an onion.
The micro layer: our senses and emotions
The meso layer: the interactions and activities we’re part of
The macro layer: the strategic shifts in thinking and behaviour
Some of the best experiences are completely invisible. Others stop us in our tracks and change us forever.
But they’re rarely a one-off event. The most powerful ones are embedded in how we work, not added on after the fact.
So let’s stop trying to make learning cute or entertaining (ie the Disneyfication effect).
Let’s stop pretending every experience needs to feel good.
Be honest. Build what’s real. And what actually makes a difference.
Because if AI owns the content, then we’ve got to own the context. This means suba diving (see previous post..it will make sense, i promise), not snorkelling.
If you’re interested in learning design that genuinely supports performance and growth, feel free to get in touch. As many know, I love talking about it.