Simple truths we often overlook in learning design
20 August 2025 · Rich Bartlett
Scrolling through Instagram, I came across a post by Growth by Visuals, shared via psychologyposts_. Each illustration is simple but sharp, and as a learning designer, I couldn't help but see how these truths connect directly to how we design, deliver, and reflect on learning experiences.
Ugly action beats perfection
A crooked, messy ladder reaches the top, while a perfect one remains unfinished on the ground. In course design, waiting for the "perfect" structure or activity often delays impact. Prototypes, drafts, and small pilots move learning forward faster than endless polishing. Iterative models like rapid prototyping support early testing, feedback, and improvements, enhancing design efficiency and learner alignment (Tripp & Bichelmeyer, 1990; Tracey & Richey, 2005).
It's not about intensity, but consistency
One jar struggles to hold a single giant rock, while another is filled neatly with small stones. Learners benefit more from steady, consistent engagement than from one-off intensive bursts. Microlearning — short, focused learning modules — combined with spaced repetition has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing knowledge retention (Kang, 2016).
How much you learn
Three brains show different growth: a little from theory, more from practice, and the most from mistakes. For learners, theory sets the stage, but practice and reflection on errors create the deepest understanding. Introducing "desirable difficulties" — such as retrieval practice and interleaving — creates productive struggle that enhances retention and transfer (Roediger & Butler, 2011).
Keeping it all in your head vs writing it down
A messy pile of clothes contrasts with an organised wardrobe. Learners (and educators) think more clearly when ideas are externalised — through notes, journals, or visual maps. Writing supports deeper comprehension and recall by requiring generative processing (Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014).
Yes, but also
A climber celebrates reaching the peak of one mountain, only to see higher peaks beyond. Every milestone in learning is worth celebrating, but there's always more to explore. This reflects the value of adopting a growth mindset in learning, where achievements are milestones in an ongoing process (Dweck, 2006).
What you worry about
A circle chart shows that most of what we worry about never happens. As designers and educators, it is easy to overthink possible failures. Often, our energy is better spent creating supportive learning journeys and adjusting as real challenges arise. Agile instructional design emphasises iterative feedback and adaptability over anticipating every possible failure.
Harsh truth
"You didn't have a bad day — you had a bad 15 minutes and decided to indulge in it." Learners will stumble, and so will we as designers. What matters is not letting one setback frame the whole experience. Temporary struggle — when framed productively — can actually strengthen learning (Kapur, 2008).
Today, in a month, in a year
Arrows scatter wide of the target today, cluster closer in a month, and hit the bullseye in a year. Learning is iterative. Consistency and feedback sharpen accuracy over time. Spaced practice reliably enhances long-term retention compared to cramming (Cepeda et al., 2006).
Masterpiece and work-in-progress
The Sagrada Família in Barcelona — an architectural masterpiece still under construction — shows that learners (and learning designers) can be proud of where they are while still evolving. Lifelong learning is a dynamic, self-regulated process, driven by individual motivation and adaptable goals (London, 2011/2012).
These visuals are deceptively simple, but they map beautifully onto how we think about learning design. They remind us that progress is messy, consistency beats intensity, and mistakes are essential.
For me, they also connect with my own PDR goals this year. Personal and professional growth isn't something to tick off once — it's an ongoing process of practice, reflection, and iteration. Just like our learners, we're all balancing the reality of being both a work-in-progress and a masterpiece at the same time.
Source: Growth by Visuals on Instagram