About Nikki

I’m an instructional designer whose approach is informed by my experience in education, technology, and an extensive background in human-centered visual design. Much of my work involves collaborating with faculty and subject matter experts to understand their expertise and determine how it can best translate into an effective learning experience.

My process begins with understanding the instructional challenge before determining the solution. I think carefully about what learners need to take away from an experience, how they will use that knowledge, and where the design itself can either support or hinder them. From there, I explore possible solutions and make deliberate choices about how the experience should be structured. Accessibility, assessment, technology, and visual design aren't separate considerations added at the end; they inform the design process from the beginning.

I believe every element of a learning experience should earn its place. Sometimes the right solution is an interactive or a piece of multimedia. Other times, it’s simply a better way to organize and present the content. My role is to understand the difference and design an experience that makes sense for the learner, the subject matter, and the goals of the project.

Professional Experience

  • 2023-Present

    University of Pittsburgh

    Instructional Designer
  • 2022-2023

    University of Pittsburgh

    Instructional Design Intern
  • 2020-2023

    Indiana University of Pennsylvania

    Instructional Design Assistant
  • 2016-2020

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh

    Marketing Communications Specialist
  • 2015-2016
  • 2011-2016

    Chabad Fox Chapel

    Marketing Communications Coordinator
  • 2010-Present
  • 2006-2008

    Indiana University of Pennsylvania

    Office Coordinator/Lab Assistant

Education

Master of Arts,
Instructional Design and Learning Technologies

Bachelor of Arts,
Journalism

Tools

  • Articulate Rise 360
  • Articulate Storyline 360
  • H5P
  • Adobe Captivate
  • Lectora
  • Camtasia
  • Canvas
  • Brightspace D2L
  • Moodle
  • Blackboard
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Canva
  • Sketch
  • Figma
  • GIMP
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Vyond
  • Genially
  • Prezi
  • Screencast-O-Matic
  • YouTube
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Animoto
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • WordPress
  • Airtable
  • Asana
  • Google Workspace
  • Padlet
  • Jira
  • Microsoft Project

Skills

  • Needs analysis
  • Gap analysis
  • Curriculum development
  • Learning objective creation
  • Assessment design
  • Course mapping and outlining
  • ADDIE Model
  • SAM Model (Successive Approximation Model)
  • Backward Design
  • Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation
  • Bloom’s Taxonomy
  • Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  • Competency-Based Learning
  • Scenario-Based Learning
  • Blended Learning
  • Storyboarding
  • Scriptwriting
  • Course design and development
  • Interactive content creation
  • Multimedia integration
  • Gamification
  • Microlearning
  • Adaptive learning technologies
  • UDL (Universal Design for Learning)
  • Accessibility (WCAG compliance)
  • DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) guidelines
  • Video editing
  • Audio editing
  • Graphic design
  • User Interface (UI) Design
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • HTML/CSS coding
  • LMS administration
  • Project management
  • Stakeholder/SME/Faculty management
  • Workshop facilitation
  • Technical support
  • Quality assurance and testing
  • Continuous improvement
  • Research and trend analysis
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Teamwork
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management
  • Adaptability
  • Lifelong learning
  • Empathy