Ep. 6 The Art Formerly Known as Production

The Product Design for Learning Podcast

Mastering Production in Learning Design: Insights from Matt Ash of Changeably

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Product Design for Learning Podcast, host Greg Arthur delves into the nuances of production with Matt Ash, founder of Changeably and a seasoned expert in learning design. Together, they explore how to streamline production processes while maintaining creativity and quality, even when faced with challenging projects like compliance training. Matt shares lessons from his career, including award-winning projects and insights on balancing innovation with client expectations.

Guest Profile

Matt Ash is a consultant, strategist, and founder of Changeably. With a background in learning design, Matt has spearheaded creative, award-winning projects, including films recognized at the Cannes Corporate Film Festival and New York Film Festival. He is an advocate for using agile methodologies in learning design to improve efficiency and elevate content quality.

Key Takeaways

• Balancing Creativity and Structure: Production thrives on creative freedom but demands clear scope, deadlines, and budget to avoid pitfalls.
• Client Collaboration: Effective communication and stakeholder involvement at every stage are key to navigating changes and ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Agile Production: Iterative approaches, rooted in discovery and regular review, can prevent scope creep and enhance output quality.
• Challenging Compliance Norms: Even compliance projects can be engaging and innovative when approached with an audience-focused mindset.

Questions Explored

Who is Matt Ash, and what’s his approach to production in learning design?

Matt shared his journey from creating early-stage e-learning to scaling an agency team and pioneering agile methodologies. His production philosophy focuses on consistency, audience-centric creativity, and aligning with business goals.

How do you manage a multidisciplinary production team?

Matt discussed the importance of giving filmmakers, developers, and designers creative freedom while aligning their outputs with project goals. This approach fosters innovation even in traditionally rigid fields like compliance.

How can compliance learning be exciting and impactful?

Using an audience-centric approach, Matt transformed compliance content into compelling narratives, earning prestigious awards. His work exemplifies how purpose-driven storytelling can elevate even the most mundane subjects.

What are the essential pre-production elements for success?

Matt emphasized the need for clearly defined scope, deadlines, and budgets. He advised conducting a robust discovery phase and identifying key goals to prevent misalignment during production.

How do you handle mid-production changes?

Flexibility and open communication are crucial. Matt shared how referencing agreed-upon goals and involving all stakeholders early on helps mitigate costly scope creep.

What advice would you give to someone struggling with production?

Matt recommended following the same structured processes you advise clients to use—pausing to reflect, sharing challenges, and seeking alternative perspectives to resolve issues effectively.

Chapters and Time Stamps

[00:00] – Introduction

Greg introduces Matt Ash and the episode’s focus on the art and science of production in learning design.

[01:34] – Matt Ash’s Journey

Matt recounts his career highlights, including agile experimentation and managing award-winning creative teams.

[04:43] – Making Compliance Creative

The shift from dull compliance content to engaging, award-winning films is explored.

[09:32] – Overcoming Creative Challenges with Clients

Matt shares strategies for bringing clients on board with innovative production ideas.

[15:54] – Essential Pre-Production Elements

A discussion on scope, deadlines, and budgets as the cornerstones of successful production.

[24:20] – Handling Changes Mid-Production

Greg and Matt exchange insights on managing client-driven changes during production.

[35:44] – Final Advice for Production Success

Matt’s key takeaway: stop, reflect, and follow your established processes.

About the Podcast

The Product Design for Learning Podcast is hosted by Greg Arthur and focuses on the intersection of design, production, and learning. Each episode features industry experts who share actionable insights on creating impactful learning experiences. Whether you're a designer, strategist, or educator, this podcast will guide you in crafting innovative and effective solutions.