Wendy Schorr

Learning Professional & Instructional Designer

I am what you would consider an "accidental instructional designer." I simply fell into it. You know what I discovered? I really, REALLY love what I do. Helping companies find their knowledge, skills, or training gaps and then coming up with a viable solution is so satisfying! Seeing employees able to thrive where they were once struggling because of the training solutions I helped devise is very rewarding.

I am NOT just another instructional designer.

The value I bring to the table is this: I have a long history of design theory. Not only do I understand how adults learn, but I understand how usability, accessibility, page layout, color theory, and typography all work together to create one cohesive learning experience, whether it's instructor led, web based training, or something else.

Results matter. It's so important to identify what your success measures will be. If you don't, then you design training inside of a vacuum. Understanding your learners and whether they have fulfilled learning objectives allows you to tie those back to the business objectives. The training was successful if the outcomes move those needles in a positive direction.

Please get in touch so we can collaborate on your training solutions!

Contact Me
Past Employers
Experience

Years of experience is proof of my QUALIFICATIONS

“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” – Paulo Coelho

Instructional Designer & Developer - Contract, USIC

February 2024 ─ Present

To Be Developed

Instructional Developer - Contract, USAA

October 2022 ─ September 2023

Co-led collaborative effort to re-design 16 module course with goal of making it more engaging and interactive while reducing seat time. Conducted thorough task analysis and needs assessment to tailor learning content. Aligned learning solutions with business priorities. Designed and developed multimedia-rich learning assets, including videos, games, simulations, animations, and visual designs, enhancing learner experience and positively influencing knowledge retention. Created engaging system and conversation simulations, using approved tool sets. Enforced adherence to USAA branding guidelines, ensuring all graphics for digital applications were on-brand and learner-centric. Collaborated with teammates to derive appropriate solutions, contributing to successful development of16+ high-impact training modules. Developed intermediate to high complexity technology-related training content, resulting in a reduction in training time for IT-related processes. Provided coaching and mentoring to employees. Skillfully utilized Articulate 360 and Adobe Creative Cloud tools to develop interactive learning materials, leading to positive feedback from learners. Leveraged organizational skills and project management acumen to successfully coordinate and deliver16+ learning modules within deadlines, meeting or exceeding quality standards. Effectively communicated complex technical concepts through intuitive graphics and visual aids, for technical training modules.

Instructional Designer II, Meridian Cooperative

September 2021 ─ August 2022

Interacted with subject-matter experts to understand end-user needs. Developed and procured graphics and content to incorporate into e-learning applications. Created curricula, research topics and conceptualized course format, subject matter and presentation. Developed workforce training programs to improve organizational efficiency. Utilized software and e-learning development tools to develop interactive training courses. Designed course materials using Storyline 360 and supported implementation. Developed storyboards outlining course flow and direction. Developed assessments to evaluate course effectiveness, altering content and delivery to achieve learners' goals. Created and edited technical video media to enhance learner engagement with Movavi and Adobe Illustrator. Effectively implemented best training practices and adult learning principles in planning and creation of instructional materials. Wrote compelling, succinct, clear scripts under tight deadlines. Used Vyond to create engaging animated scenarios and simulations that aided in learning.

Instructional Designer, Safety Services Company

June 2021 ─ September 2021

Designed e-learning course materials, class activities, and supported implementation. Contributed to development of comprehensive safety training courses. Developed safety compliance training modules to improve organizational efficiency. Utilized Storyline 360 to develop interactive training courses. Tested usability throughout course development process to confirm user-friendly interface. Analyzed and selected most appropriate strategies, methodologies and technologies to maximize learning experience and impact. Developed and procured graphics and content to incorporate into e-learning applications .Interacted with subject-matter experts and developers to understand end-user needs. Organized and edited training manuals, multimedia visual aids and other educational materials. Developed and implemented safety compliance training programs for third party companies.

Instructional Designer, Performance Development Group

March 2021 ─ June 2021 (Contract)

Interacted with subject-matter experts and developers to understand end-user needs. Utilized Articulate Rise to rapidly develop engaging and interactive training courses. Developed and procured graphics and content to incorporate into e-learning applications. Contributed to development of comprehensive employee training courses.

UI Designer, Baltu Technologies

February 2021 ─ April 2021 (Contract)

Communicated with product manager and stakeholders to translate project requirements and business objectives into polished user interfaces. Collaborated with stakeholders to deliver valuable features meeting business and customer needs. Managed design conceptualization, milestones and client feedback. Engineered prototypes to support research and usability testing. Used Sketch and Photoshop to develop product mockups and prototype designs.

Instructional Designer, PetSmart

November 2020 ─ February 2021 (Contract)

Reviewed and edited training materials for accuracy. Designed course materials using Storyline 360 and supported implementation. Created curricula, researched topics, conceptualized course format and activities, subject matter and presentation. Attended regular project team meetings to provide regular status updates on activities and identify any issues or challenges. Worked with subject matter experts to identify target audience's learning needs and objectives. Converted in-person Instructor Led Training (ILT) into virtual ILT courses. Converted course PowerPoints and outdated course material into interactive self-paced e-learning courses. Conducted QA checks for all instructional media to verify instructionally sound content.

Learning Experience Designer, The Joint

May 2019 ─ October 2019 (Contract)

Led strategic effort to design new e-Learning courses and improve user experience for new Point of Sale / Patient Management system. Produced and designed supplementary materials, including practice exams, simulation exercises, demonstration videos, and interaction design. Created curricula and conceptualized course format, subject matter and presentation. Designed numerous course materials and templates for current training initiative and to support future training programs

Visual Designer, Discount Tire

April 2000 ─ April 2019

Collaborated with developers to design new page UI's within company's established intranet that helped over 10,000 employees do their jobs daily. Used site analytics and metrics to define and monitor success. Conducted usability testing and post-deployment evaluations to measure user experience success. Validated schematic designs working alongside hardware engineers. Used Adobe XD, Sketch, Balsamiq, and InVision to develop mockups and prototype designs. Designed site layouts, templates and unique branded looks. Contributed design ideas in early planning stages with customers and project managers.

Intern Designer, Shopify

March 2009 ─ 2013

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Education

I believe my own education never ends.
I am ALWAYS learning...

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.”
– CS Lewis

Bachelor of Science - Visual Art

1988 - 1992
State University of New York, New Paltz

MBA - Business Administration

2006 - 2008
Keller Graduate School of Management

Certificate - UX Academy

Graduated 2018
DesignLab

Art & Design

2009- 2013
Cambridge University

Multimedia Artist

2009- 2013
Cambridge University

Bachelors Of Arts

2009- 2013
Cambridge University
Skills

Continuously improving my knowledge in these areas

97%

Articulate Storyline

95%

Articulate Rise

90%

eLearning Dev

85%

Adobe Premiere

80%

Storyboarding

80%

Adult Learning Theory

80%

Learning Experience

80%

Learner Research

My Core Values

Hard work, honesty, & integrity
are just some of my core values.
This is what makes me...Me.

“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity."
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Critical Thinker

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – A. Einstein

Solution Seeker

“If you define the problem correctly, you almost have the solution.”
– Steve Jobs

Design Thinking

“We must design for the way people behave, not for how we would wish them to behave.” Don Norman

Work Ethic

“If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.”
– Michaelangelo

Active Listening

“To say that a person feels listened to means a lot more than just their ideas get heard. It's a sign of respect. It makes people feel valued.” - Deborah Tannen

Creativity

“The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fears.” – Dan Stevens

Portfolio

Some featured past Works

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References

"Wendy and I worked together for over three years. I know Wendy to be at once creative, innovative, agile in her thinking, and her overall business acumen is impressive to say the least. Wendy is a proven team player, and she is dedicated to her craft. She is known to go above and beyond to not only meet critical business deadlines, but she will never put forth anything less than exemplary work. It is with great pleasure that I recommend Wendy, and I would welcome any opportunity to work with her again."

– Seela Simmons, SPHR, former teammate Discount Tire
References

"Wendy worked with our intranet development group supporting over twenty thousand employees in a company with over five billion in annual revenue. Wendy had an amazing eye for unique designs and was able to implement some of the best engagement interfaces which are still in use today in both form and function. Wendy took my department through the UI design and development process, reviewed each evolution of web page development to validate we were on the right track and implemented our overall web strategies in sync with the bigger picture of employee engagement. Her designs were unique and innovative yet fitting to our culture resulting in the best employee engagement rollout in our history."

– Dean Altman, Business Risk Governance Advisor at USAA
References

"Wendy and I worked at Discount Tire together on the Learning and Development team. During my time there we collaborated on the Leadership Development Program project. I was impressed by her graphic design skills and how efficient she completed work. Wendy has a precise attention to detail and strives to produce the highest quality of work. Many on our team consulted with her on projects and appreciated her creative recommendations. In addition to her wealth of experience and the fact that she is a highly talented designer, she is pleasant to work with, always willing to help and provides valuable feedback. During the time I worked with Wendy, I also saw her dedication to development and she continuously seeks ways to keep up to date on trends in her industry. Wendy is an asset to have on any team."

– Patricia Hladik, former colleague at Discount Tire
References

"Wendy is an amazing design architect. Her skills are second to no one I have ever seen. She has designed several graphics for products I was responsible for that have consistently drawn the attention of everyone that observes it. I would highly recommend her as the complete package. She is talented, professional, personable and creative. She embodies all that a designer/project manager should be."

– Monique Wetli, former colleague at Discount Tire
References

"As a client of Wendy's I am extremely impressed by her professionalism and ability to interpret what our heart wants to achieve but our mouths cannot articulate. She takes the time to listen to us and our wishes and then is able to translate it into a better product for us. As a nonprofit, it is critical that we get our website correct. Wendy is not only planning, designing, developing the new site, but she is also revamping the existing site to be more user friendly, in the interim. If I am being honest, I did not design our website with our users in mind. Rather, I designed it according to my idea of "aesthetics". Wendy thoroughly examined our website, met with me to understand our organization and its goals, completed research, and shared her professional evaluation. Wendy explained that the first priority is to set up the site based on our visitors/users. She created amazing personas that represent our audience and has done an amazing job at enhancing our approach to certain aspects of our site. Her easy going yet committed demeanor makes it easy to work with her, while being held accountable to finishing tasks at hand. We are grateful and in complete trust in Wendy's competence and creative skills to revamp and build an amazing, effective website.."

– Amber Illescas, Founder E3 AZ Foundation, Inc.
References

"I was able to witness Wendy’s amazing talent during the three years I served as her manager. When she joined the department, I knew she was a talented graphic designer and web expert. I came to appreciate her strong knowledge of instructional design principles. She designed training modules and job aids that were used in the field by over 10,000 sales and service associates. She created on-the-job materials that were clear and easy to understand. The layout and visuals made her materials easy to use in a store environment. An important accomplishment was a training portal she created for learners to easily access their learning resources. I highly recommend Wendy.

She would be a valuable member of any training team."

– Tammy Preble, former Manager, Discount Tire
References

"I worked with Wendy on the Instructional Design team at Safety Services Company. Wendy came to us with a positive, can-do attitude and was always eager to learn the process and was never afraid to make recommendations on improvements or jump in and make small changes that had big impacts. Her work was always thorough and professional."

- Johnathan Clayborn, MS - former teammate Safety Services Company
References

"Wendy and I have worked together for nearly a year. She has helped and encouraged me when learning instructional design theory and techniques. She shares her knowledge and experience openly, always wanting to help others. Wendy is a team player and works well with others. She takes well designed scenes or projects and adds just that little extra bit to make it an impressive final product."

- Jay Baggett - former colleague Meridian Cooperative
References

"I worked with Wendy at Meridian Cooperative, where we were both Instructional Designers. During her time there, Wendy was always willing to provide valuable feedback and meaningful input on projects. Her graphic design and organizational skills were extremely impressive, and often, I would seek her opinion on ways to improve the visuals or processes for my projects. Insightful and collaborative, Wendy would be a fabulous addition to any team!"

- Olivia Beck, M.Ed - former colleague Meridian Cooperative
Faq

Your Questions – Answered

Feel free to get in contact if you have a question.

Q.

How do you keep your skills current?

A.

I am very interested in the science of learning and cognition. While I did not get a formal education in adult learning, on my own I try to study theory as much as I can. I have always been fascinated by new technology and how I can leverage it in what I do, so staying on top of the latest trends in the industry is important to me. I am extremely interested to see how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will impact the industry and am actively taking classess in AI.

Q.

What is your instructional design philosophy?

A.

I believe training should be fun, engaging, and interactive. Most people learn by doing, so my training design tends to revolve around as much virtual hands-on and real world scenario practice as possible. If it's a topic or skill where they can go out and practice in the real world, even better. But simulations can also be a powerful tool. If we make training more fun and interesting learners will look forward to it, rather than seeing it as just another chore in their daily routine.

Q.

What do you like to do for fun when you aren't saving the world?

A.

I'm mostly a homebody but when I get in the mood I am a total foodie and love to explore the restaurants Denver has to offer. I also like travelling and hope to do a whole lot more of that in the future. My dream is to take a tour of Europe someday but I'll settle for a spot on a beach somewhere!

Q.

What are your Hobbies?

A.

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Contact me

Let's Get in Touch

Got a question? Just need to chat? Need someone to collaborate on a project? Then contact me and we'll talk!

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