Project Overview

This project is an interactive Dog Coat Type Explorer built in Articulate Storyline for beginner dog grooming students (Level 101). The activity was designed to reinforce coat type concepts already introduced in the classroom by giving learners a visual, interactive way to revisit and explore the material.

Rather than presenting coat types as a static reference or quiz, I created a dial-driven, exploratory interaction that allows learners to compare coat types, view real breed examples, and connect each coat to appropriate grooming tools. The experience is intentionally nonlinear, supporting self-paced exploration and repeated use as a reference.

The Problem

Dog coat types are introduced in the classroom through direct instruction, discussion, and hands-on demonstration. While this approach provides a strong foundation, students benefit from opportunities to revisit and reinforce the material independently after class.

I wanted to create an interactive learning asset that would:

• reinforce concepts already taught during instruction
• allow learners to explore coat types at their own pace
• strengthen connections between coat structure, breed examples, and grooming decisions

Additionally, while the course textbook explains recommended tools in text, it does not include sample images of the grooming tools themselves. For novice learners, translating written recommendations into real-world tool selection can be challenging without visual reference.

The opportunity, then, was to build a reinforcement tool that paired visual examples with instructional content to support retention and application.

The Solution

I designed a single-slide, dial-based Storyline interaction that allows learners to explore dog coat types through visual comparison and active engagement.

Key design decisions included:

• Dial-based navigation to encourage exploration rather than linear progression
• Radial visual connectors linking coat types to representative dog images
• Dynamic content panels that update based on learner interaction
• Added visual references for grooming tools, supplementing the textbook’s text-only descriptions
• Minimal UI with no intro or closing slides, allowing learners to engage immediately without unnecessary clicks

As learners rotate the dial, the interaction updates to display:

• the selected coat type
• defining characteristics
• maintenance considerations
• recommended grooming tools (with images)
• representative breeds

This structure allows learners to immediately see how coat type influences grooming decisions, supporting both recognition and real-world application.

Outcome

The final product functions as an interactive reinforcement and reference tool that complements classroom instruction rather than replacing it. Learners can explore coat types at their own pace, revisit content as needed, and visually connect coat structure to appropriate grooming tools.

From an instructional design perspective, this project demonstrates:

• intentional use of interactivity to reinforce learning
• UX decisions grounded in beginner learner needs
• thoughtful supplementation of source material with visual supports
• effective use of Storyline states and variables
• restraint in avoiding unnecessary screens or over-gamification

Overall, this interaction balances clarity, engagement, and practical application, making it well-suited for workforce training and adult learning environments.

Screenshots of the activity