Community Insights: What You Can Learn from David Tait’s Career Pivot
One of the best things about creative careers is how flexible they are—you can take them in so many directions. For DavidTait, that flexibility led from graphic design to learning design, and eventually to co-founding 4pt, a learning design studio. 4pt has been creating meaningful learning experiences for more than 16 years. In this Member Spotlight, you'll discover how adaptability, curiosity, and community shaped David's journey, and how to apply these lessons to your own career path. From Design to Learning “Before starting my career in e-learning, I was a student focused on design,” David says. “I spent four years studying design. Two in graphic design and two in newspaper, magazine, and infographic design. That background gave me a strong foundation in visual communication, which has been incredibly useful in my learning and development (L&D) work.” While still in college, he took on a freelance project as a graphical user interface designer for the Northern College Network. “It was my first real step into the world of digital learning design,” he recalls. “It helped me see how I could apply my design skills in a completely different context.” Soon after, a former lecturer offered him a role at an e-learning startup creating online CPD courses for healthcare professionals. “Working in a startup meant wearing many hats,” David says. “That experience really shaped my path and helped me see how my design skills could grow into a career in learning.” 💡Tip: Apply your existing creative skills to a small digital learning project (freelance, volunteer, or self-initiated). Hands-on experience helps bridge design and instructional work faster than theory alone. Turning Change into Opportunity A few years later, the company was acquired, and layoffs followed. “Rather than seeing it as a setback, my studio manager and I took it as an opportunity,” David says. “When we started 4pt, all of those responsibilities suddenly became our job. Being able to adapt to new challenges was essential, and it’s a big reason why we’ve been able to thrive.” 💡Tip: When your path shifts unexpectedly, use it to test new skills or partnerships. Career detours often reveal strengths you wouldn’t discover in a stable role. Finding Flexibility with Storyline “One project in 2013 really shaped our company,” David says. “A client asked us to build a course in Storyline 1. We’d never used it before, but rather than turn the work away, we invested in licenses and learned as we went.” “Before long, Storyline became the tool most of our clients wanted to use,” he explains. “Storyline gave us the ability to solve problems ourselves, experiment more freely, and move much faster. That agility has stayed with us ever since—it’s a core part of how we approach learning design.” 💡Tip: Don’t wait to feel like an expert. Pick a project, open the tool, and build. Use the community forums and shared files when you hit roadblocks. The Power of Community “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve hit a dead end in Storyline and found the solution on the forums,” David says. “That support has saved me countless hours and kept projects moving. The community around Articulate is unlike anything else.” Over time, helping others became just as rewarding. “Being part of E-Learning Heroes isn’t just about getting help,” he adds. “It’s about giving back. I try to pay it forward when I can, and that sense of community has been such a valuable part of my journey.” 💡Tip: When you find an answer in ELH, take a minute to thank the poster—or add your own version of the solution. Small interactions build visibility and confidence. Lessons from the Journey “Figure out where your limitations are, and then build a trusted network of professionals who can help you overcome them,” David says. “Continuous learning is important, but you don’t have to master everything yourself.” He also believes in stepping outside your comfort zone: “Sometimes doing that sooner opens doors you didn’t even realize were there.” “I try to focus on projects where I can see real value and impact—and to work with people I genuinely like and respect. That combination has made the journey far more meaningful.” 💡Tip: Find one collaborator who complements your skills—a developer, writer, or media pro—and trade knowledge. Collaboration accelerates growth and keeps learning fun. Looking Ahead These days, David is focused on advancing localization in his projects and exploring how AI fits into e-learning. “We’re evaluating Storyline’s new localization features ahead of a major project,” David says. “I’m excited to see how these tools evolve and how we can integrate them to deliver even better multilingual learning experiences.” He’s also reading Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick. “It’s not written specifically for L&D, but it’s helped me think more critically about how AI can be used thoughtfully and effectively.” 💡Tip: Keep one “outside-the-industry” book on your reading list. Fresh perspectives often spark the most creative ideas. 💬 Your Turn David’s story is a reminder that creativity, curiosity, and community can take your career in directions you never planned, but might love most. What’s one skill—or moment—that’s shaped your own learning design journey? Share it in the comments below!In Case You Missed It: September 2025 in ELH
Missed the action? Here’s a quick roundup of the conversations, builds, and resources that had the community buzzing in September. 🧰 Free Downloads: Built by You, for You We opened a new Downloads Hub: a growing space for templates, assets, and resources to help you build faster and smarter. Even better: it’s shaped by you. 💡 Let us know what else you'd like to see added. 💬 What Everyone’s Talking About Looking for inspiration? These discussions show the different ways members are stretching the tools. What’s Your “Dream Build”? From an adaptive “living mentor” course to a 2D/3D rail truck simulator for practicing real-world driving scenarios. What would your dream build look like? Custom Blocks in Rise 360 Show off something you’ve built (or want to build) with Custom Blocks, or grab inspiration from others who are experimenting. Using Rise360 for Virtual In-Person Courses Can Rise be used as a live presentation tool? One member is exploring the idea. Have you tried this, or do you see creative ways to make it work? 🌟 Standout Challenge Entries September’s challenges surfaced lots of gems! A few standouts: Circular Menu Navigation with Dials #522 Coin Operated (Goonies-Inspired) By Jonathan_Hill Drop in a coin and watch the magic: this demo reimagines a coin as both a slider and a dial. Smooth, clever, and fully accessible. Fine Feathered Friends By RonPrice Ready, aim, launch! This throwback game uses dials to set your bird’s flight path and spin a trivia-packed feather wheel. Playful, nostalgic, and smartly designed. Using Custom Blocks in Rise 360 #523 The Magic of the Nutcracker By Kate_Golomshtok A ballet-inspired demo blending audio, video, and imagery into an immersive Rise experience. Simple yet powerful, and beautifully done. Empowered to Lead By Karen_Faragalla A scenario-based module for new managers that combines Custom Blocks with branching navigation. A polished example of Rise taken to the next level. How to Brew the Best Coffee & Espresso Drinks #524 How to Brew the Best Coffee in Space By ThierryEMMANUEL Ever tried to brew coffee in zero gravity? This GSAP-animated, AI-powered demo takes you out of this world. A wild spin on a classic challenge. The Barista Challenge By JessDavis1 A debut entry featuring a drag-and-drop coffee activity with audio and visuals. Come for the interactivity, stay to cheer on a first-timer. Vibing w/ the Code Block in Rise #525 Welcome to a Severance By CydWalker_mwhc Step into orientation as a new employee in this Severance-inspired debut. A creative first-time code block build for Rise. NYT Connections Clone By: JohnShelton-e60 Inspired by the NYT game, this vibe coding experiment built a working Connections clone in just an hour. Fast, fun, and full of potential. 🎤 Members Took the Mic (Guest Webinars) From agile strategies to microinteractions, our guest presenters shared practical tips you can use right away. Design for Change – Because You Know It’s Happening Anyway with Megan Torrance, Anthony Reisinger, and Lauren Milstid Learn how to apply Agile and the LLAMA® approach to adapt projects quickly without losing focus or quality. Master Slide Magic: Using Layouts for Dynamic Interactions with Hilla Schlegel Discover how to transform slide masters into interactive quiz engines that keep your designs consistent and your workflow efficient. Small Details, Big Impact: Microinteractions in Storyline with Phil Mayor Pick up simple techniques to add motion, feedback, and polish that make your courses more intuitive and engaging. Design for Minds: Creating Impactful Learning Experiences with Patience Walton Explore how to use contrast, hierarchy, and visual design principles to make e-learning memorable and impactful. 🎓 Trending Training Webinars September’s trainings zoomed in on sharpening your product skills with quick, practical builds. Design Your Way with Custom Blocks in Rise 360 Learn how to design and customize your own blocks from the ground up for total flexibility. Creating Comic Speech Balloons with Merge Shapes in Storyline 360 See how to combine shapes to create reusable, custom speech bubbles for playful or polished course design. 📚 Member-Powered Articles Fresh from the community: two articles packed with member insights you can repurpose for your own projects. Made By Members: Games & Gamification From Jeopardy-style quizzes to top-down arcade games, see how members are using playful design to make learning more interactive. Takeaways from Articuland Boston Members shared insights on smarter design, accessibility, and AI as a creative sidekick. 💎 Hidden Gems Sometimes the best tips are hidden in plain sight. Here are a couple worth exploring: Vibe Coding for Rise 360 Learn how to use Rise’s new Code Block to embed interactive, code-driven projects directly, no external hosting required. Join the Code Block Group Connect with developers and tinkerers to swap snippets, brainstorm solutions, and share experiments. ✨ That’s a wrap for September! What’s one thing you discovered—or created—recently that we should feature in the next roundup? Share it below and help shape October’s highlights.Sign Up for the E-Learning Heroes Newsletter
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