Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer is a learning professional who creates structured, effective training programs that help individuals build knowledge and skills. Using established methodologies such as ADDIE and principles of adult learning, instructional designers develop learning experiences that may include eLearning courses, instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (VILT), and blended learning solutions.
Instructional designers focus on organizing content in a way that is engaging, accessible, and aligned to learning objectives. They may work as part of an internal team or as external partners supporting project-based learning initiatives.
Internal vs. External Instructional Designers
Instructional designers can work in a variety of environments, depending on organizational needs.
Internal Instructional Designers
- Full-time employees within an organization
- Deep understanding of company systems, culture, and processes
- Provide ongoing support across multiple training initiatives
- Often responsible for maintaining and updating existing programs
External Instructional Designers (Consultants or Contractors)
- Brought in for specific projects or timeframes
- Provide additional capacity when internal teams are at bandwidth
- Offer specialized expertise (e.g., leadership development, systems training, sales enablement)
- Bring an outside perspective and exposure to different industries and approaches
When Do Companies Hire an Instructional Designer?
Organizations typically hire instructional designers when they need support designing or developing learning solutions. Common scenarios include:
- Developing new training programs from the ground up
- Converting instructor-led training into eLearning or blended formats
- Supporting the rollout of new systems, products, or processes
- Scaling training efforts quickly without adding full-time staff
- Improving the consistency and quality of existing learning content
See Also: Instructional Design Consultant, Instructional Design Contractor, Learning Experience Designer, Performance Consultant
When you have more projects than people™, let TrainingPros provide you with the right consultant to start your project with confidence.
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
About About Instructional Designers:
What does an instructional designer do?
An instructional designer creates learning experiences that help people build knowledge and skills. This can include designing eLearning courses, instructor-led training, job aids, and blended learning programs. They focus on organizing content, applying learning theory, and ensuring the training is engaging and effective.
When should a company hire an instructional designer?
Companies typically hire an instructional designer when they need to develop new training, update existing content, convert instructor-led training to eLearning, or support large-scale learning initiatives. They are often brought in when internal teams need additional capacity or specialized expertise.
What’s the difference between an instructional designer and an instructional design consultant?
An instructional designer primarily focuses on building training content, while an instructional design consultant takes a more strategic role—analyzing performance needs, recommending solutions, and aligning learning with business goals. In many cases, consultants help define the approach, and designers support execution.
Do instructional designers only create eLearning?
No. While many instructional designers develop eLearning, they also design instructor-led training, virtual training, blended learning programs, and performance support tools such as job aids and guides. The format depends on the learning need and business context.
