Tailored Learning Design for Impact-Driven Founders

A focused CV & portfolio in support of my application for Head of Programmes & Learning at WONDR

COVER NOTE

Why WONDR Resonates

Higher education is full of academic theory while YouTube is full of beginner content. I was so pleased to see that WONDR’s platform falls well within the middle, offering practical learning and support for real-world applications and results, exactly where I do my best work as a learning designer.

The case against traditional education

My background has largely focused on digital delivery for courses in creative disciplines. I have purposefully sought out alternative providers in this area as traditional education falls so short when it comes to practical, actionable skills teaching. Even in those more forward-thinking environments, I’ve encountered the same challenges of academic bureaucracy, rigid institutional structures and criteria as well as theory-heavy content. WONDR’s ethos of providing structured and effective learning for real-time application, filling that gap for founders in the thick of it, aligns with my own views of pragmatic teaching and learning.

My experience as an entrepreneur

Equally, as an entrepreneur myself in the online education space with my own digital courses teaching technical skills to interior designers, I’ve experienced the challenges of entrepreneurship when it comes to marketing, financials, customer support, etc. I very much appreciate how WONDR moves learners beyond the repetitive beginner content that floods a lot of business books and YouTube channels. It’s an online learning platform that feels actionable and applicable rather than rehashing the same old tips.

Online learning with community

Relatedly, I know the online learning landscape fights an uphill battle in terms of connotations with impersonal, surface-level content. WONDR’s focus on community building and live sessions is a delightful antidote. From my own experience, I’ve seen how well-designed, well-facilitated online learning can build engaged communities and offer effective learning.

Take a look

Please review my CV and tailored portfolio which includes a customised micro-learning project that I built especially with WONDR in mind. I’d love to contribute my experience and skillset to what’s next for WONDR’s offer.

Portfolio

A selection of recent projects spanning course design, media production, and learning systems development. Each reflects a focus on practical, engaging, and scalable online learning with an emphasis on supporting adult learners, creative professionals, and mission-driven teams.

WONDR demo project

This microlearning experience was created specifically with the WONDR team in mind. It focuses on making key email marketing metrics (open rate, click rate, and click-to-open rate) more digestible, engaging, and actionable for entrepreneurs. Rather than relying on a typical slide-and-voiceover format, this demo presents content through interactive visuals, animations, and decision-based activities.

Content & Learning Design

While AI supported the drafting process, the learning experience was intentionally designed to go beyond static explanations. The delivery reflects an empathetic, learner-focused approach to a dry but essential topic—breaking down calcuated ideas through clear structure, engaging visuals, and dynamic interactions that resonate with new entrepreneurs getting to grips with email marketing.

Tools & Tech Stack

Created using ChatGPT (for early drafting and research), Canva (visual assets and GIFs), and Articulate Rise (delivery and interaction). The animation is delivered via short GIFs rather than embedded transitions to streamline the build and showcase a lightweight, quick-delivery approach.

Self-paced online course: AutoCAD for Interior Designers

The course is divided into three sections across eight modules:

• Core Skills – fundamental AutoCAD commands taught through short, targeted videos

• Workflow Projects – real-world drawing exercises for practical application

• Template Systems – apply core skills in developing practical templates for maximum efficiency.

Each module is designed for progressive learning, supporting skill mastery and confidence-building.

Structure

Tools & Tech Stack

• Created with: AutoCAD, Camtasia

• Hosted on: LearnDash (initial), ThriveCart Learn (current)

• Automated via: Zapier (enrollment), MailerLite (onboarding), WordPress (marketing site), Shopify (sales)

• Format: Self-paced video lessons with downloads and practice files

A comprehensive self-paced online course built for creative professional using scalable systems and custom AI to demystify technical software.

The course focuses on flexibility, clarity, and professional relevance, teaching the practical technical skills that are often ignored in traditional education and taught inefficiently or irrelevently in typical training programmes. Built specifically for interior designers juggling client work, skill development, and limited time, the course has received positive feedback.

Customised AI-Enhanced Support

A custom-built GPT assistant (Audrey 2.0) was integrated to offer immediate, intelligent responses to student questions. This allowed for scalable support with limited resources and improved learner independence, especially helpful for adult learners working solo or asynchronously.

"I will be recommending this course to everyone with an interest in learning more about the technical side of this field. I just wanted to reach out to express my gratitude for this course. I went to school for design and so I have a pretty solid base knowledge of things so I was a bit skeptical about how it might help me. I was so pleasantly surprised! I feel I have really benefitted from having an interior design-focused AutoCAD course. A lot of what I was taught at university focused more on the architectural side. I have learned so much from your classes and it has given me the confidence to be successful in my career change. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough! I will be recommending this course to everyone with an interest in learning more about the technical side of this field. Thank you for putting this together."

Savannah S.

"I am almost halfway through the course. I have to say, it's been so helpful for me! I am enrolled in a beginner CAD class through my university's master's program but the way you structure everything has been more practical for me. I needed this reset to help me prepare for my final project. Thank you for offering this course! You have given me hope that I will be able to become proficient enough to work in this industry!!"

Amy

Designed for creative professionals

Course media & brand design: The History Quill

Collaborative course development for an online education and service in the writing and publishing space, translating expert content into a high-quality learner experience.

Course Branding & Slide Design

Developed a cohesive visual identity for the course by creating a branded intro animation, slides, and presentation templates. The designs matched The History Quill’s existing brand and literary tone while improving clarity and engagement for adult learners.

Video Editing for Expert-Led Lessons

Edited raw video content into polished, high-quality lessons by strategically combining talking-head footage, on-screen text, and animated overlays. Balanced clarity, pacing, and visual engagement to support busy adult learners. Built an efficient editing workflow to streamline production and support asynchronous collaboration with the course team.

Designed branded handouts and supporting visuals to reinforce course concepts for mature learners, particularly those with a text-first learning style. Layouts were intentionally designed with readability, printability, white space, and information hierarchy in mind to reduce overwhelm and enhance focus.

Reader-Focused Graphics & Handouts

Project Overview

Working with the company founder and director of operations at The History Quill, this project transforms expert-led video recordings into professionally branded, engaging course experience for historical fiction writers. The project focuses on translating subject expertise into visually dynamic materials supporting learner clarity for an audience of mature and self-motivated learners.

Tools & Tech Stack

• CapCut Pro – video editing and animated text overlays

• Canva – slide and graphic design aligned with brand identity

• Google Sheets & Drive – collaborative project management and delivery

• Microsoft Word – handout creation for print-friendly, accessible learner materials

BA (Hons) online top-up programme

Designed and delivered the final year of a BA (Hons) programme for KLC School of Design, an alternative higher education provider that emphasises practical skills, industry relevance, and real-world application.

The course was delivered entirely online but remained cohort-based, blending synchronous and asynchronous learning across five terms. The structure supported independent study while fostering professional readiness, collaboration, and a strong learning community.

"Studying online with Audrey honestly exceeded my expectations. As someone completely new to the subject, I was quite nervous at first, and having severe dyslexia made learning even more daunting. But Audrey’s teaching style made everything feel approachable and manageable. I always felt like I had the space to ask questions, and her feedback was incredibly thoughtful. It really helped me understand not just what to improve but how to improve.

Learning a complex new software like Revit felt overwhelming at times, but her step-by-step video guides made it so much easier to digest and follow. Whenever I ran into issues, I’d send screenshots or my Revit file, and she’d respond so quickly, often with a personalised video showing me the exact steps to take. The Zoom calls were also a huge help, and Audrey was always approachable and responsive over email....

Presenting my work in front of a group and speaking about sensitive topics like race was also a big moment for me. During the pandemic, with the heightened racial tension and Black Lives Matter protests, it was especially difficult. And being the only person of colour on my course made that even more daunting. But I always felt welcomed and supported in exploring those subjects. My confidence grew enormously after submitting my dissertation, which focused on race relations from an interior design perspective, and receiving an A- grade reaffirmed that these conversations were not only welcomed but valued by Audrey and other tutors."

Priscilla Omisore, former student

"Audrey was a font of knowledge but also gave such tailored support and encouragement. She was honestly absolutely the best aspect of the degree course in terms of her approach and feedback. Her course design was thorough, engaging and challenging — I miss that now.

Her modules were brilliantly structured and designed so that, week by week, you could build your project to a conclusion that could never have been achieved without the depth of research and conceptual design that was encouraged. Starting with quite abstract ideas and project development, I would advise anyone to trust the process Audrey adopts — it supports really creative development of ideas, resulting in designs that have real integrity and depth.

It really was a joy to have her as a lecturer too."

Lorna Collins, former student

Programme Structure & Content Scope

Designed and delivered a fully online, part-time BA (Hons) top-up programme, spread across five 12-week terms. The course supported adult learners, many balancing professional or family commitments, by combining a clear timetable with flexible, scaffolded learning.

The curriculum integrated academic development, technical training (including software skills), and career-focused learning. Several modules were co-developed with subject matter experts to ensure depth, accuracy, and relevance to professional practice. Learning content was delivered in varied formats to support diverse learning approaches:

• Pre-recorded lectures

• Live online seminars and critiques

• Practical project briefs

• Downloadable handouts and guides

• Asynchronous resources for independent study

The programme was structured to build learner autonomy, confidence, and industry readiness, with a strong emphasis on professional relevance.

Tools & Tech Stack

Worked within the institution’s approved platforms and budget constraints to deliver a streamlined, professional-grade learning experience. Prioritised accessibility, compatibility, and ease of use for students, many of whom were balancing work and study.

Core platforms and tools included:

• Moodle – main learning management system

• Mahara – digital portfolio platform

• Zoom – synchronous teaching, critiques, and 1:1 tutorials

• Google Workspace – collaborative planning and peer interaction (Sheets, Jamboard, etc.)

• Camtasia – pre-recorded lecture capture and screen tutorials

• Revit, InDesign, Photoshop, PowerPoint – used in both course delivery and student output

Designed systems and touchpoints to support a diverse adult learner cohort, many of whom were returning to study while managing work and family life. The course aimed to provide structure, encouragement, and human connection within a fully online environment.

Key elements included:

• A "Coffee Shop" forum to foster informal community, reduce isolation, and encourage peer support

• A 1:1 tutorial booking system, giving students regular, personalised contact with tutors

• Live Zoom critiques and small group sessions for discussion, collaboration, and shared learning

• Clear and practical assessment templates, designed with university-approved language and automated grade calculations, adopted by other programmes for ease and clarity

• Encouragement of peer review and reflection, creating a culture of constructive feedback and growth

The result was a learning environment that felt personal, professional, and genuinely supportive.

Student Experience

CV

Please see my CV below. If you'd prefer, download a PDF version via the button below.

Experience

Programme Tutor - Interior Design

Open College of the Arts | Remote | Feb 2022 - Present

Facilitate live online workshops, provide feedback, and co-develop flexible learning materials for interior design students. Support learners across multiple units with practical guidance and asynchronous resources tailored to adult learners in a creative, remote-first environment.

Learning Design & Operations Support (Freelance & Advisor)

Fictive Pursuits | Remote | May 2019 - Present

Support branding, programme delivery, and operational systems for founder-led brands including The History Quill, Fabled Planet, and The Niche Reader. Developed scalable tools, critique systems, and automations to support content delivery and community at scale, all designed with entrepreneurial growth in mind.

Founder & Educator – Audrey Noakes

Self-employed | Jan 2019 - Present

Created digital courses, templates, and resources to help interior design professionals build creative tech skills, under my married name. Designed and launched scalable online products and video tutorials, blending practical instruction with self-paced, accessible learning for busy creative designers and entrepreneurs.

Head of Level 6 – Online BA (Hons)

KLC School of Design | Hybrd | Jan 2019 - Mar 2023

Led the design and delivery of a fully online final-year programme for interior design students. Developed curriculum, learning systems, and assessment tools tailored to adult learners, combining academic depth with real-world application in a scalable, cohort-based model.

Course Tutor – Online FdA (Hons)

KLC School of Design | Hybrid | Aug 2017 - Mar 2022

Coordinated and delivered online learning content for foundation-level interior design students, as part of a wider team. Created engaging digital resources, facilitated live critiques and seminars, and supported learner progression in a fully remote, design-focused learning environment. Emphasised practical skills and consistent student support for a mature, part-time learner base.

Flexible Tutor - Interior Design

Open Collge of the Arts | Remote | Sep 2019 - Feb 2022

Facilitated online group sessions and delivered personalised formative feedback for students on Foundation and BA (Hons) programmes. Supported adult learners through asynchronous guidance and collaborative live sessions, focused on developing creative confidence and progression at a distance.

Tutor - Interior Design

British Academy of Interior Design | Hybrid | Feb 2017 - Oct 2020

Delivered and facilitated live sessions for both in-person and online instruction. Worked with cohort-based and independent learners. Provided asynchronous feedback across multiple subject areas, supporting learners through varied formats and adapting delivery to fit student needs.

Teaching Assistant – School of Architecture

University of Nevada, Las Vegas | USA | Aug 2015 - May 2016

Supported studio-based instruction in digital skills and classroom delivery for architecture and design students.

Project Designer

Duvall Decker Architects | USA | Sep 2012 - Jul 2015

Contributed to public and residential architecture projects with a focus on drawing production, consultant coordination, and materials research. Managed multi-phase renovations and supported historic preservation efforts in the design phase through detailed design and planning documentation.

Workshop Instructor

Jackson Community Design Center | USA | Aug 2011 - May 2012

Co-developed and delivered an after-school creative curriculum for 8–12-year-olds in underserved communities. Topics included art, design, sustainability and urbanism.

Education

Bachelor of Architecture

May 2012

Minor in English, Cum Laude

Mississippi State University

Awards

Skills

Student Teaching Excellence Award

KLC School of Design

July 2021

Awarded by student vote across all courses, recognising outstanding teaching, dedication, and impact within the academic team.

Alpha Rho Chi Medal

Mississippi State University

May 2012

Faculty voted, awarded to one School of Architecture graduate for exhibiting professional promise.

Instructional Design & Learning Strategy

• Curriculum & programme design (synchronous, asynchronous, blended)

• Adult learning & community-based learning

• Learning experience design for professional and creative learners

• Scaffolding, peer review systems, assessment design

• Self-paced learning flows

Tools & Platforms

• LMS & Learning Platforms: LearnDash, ThriveCart Learn, Moodle, Mahara

• Video & Content Creation: Camtasia, CapCut Pro, Canva, PowerPoint, FigJam

• Design Tools: InDesign, Photoshop, AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Canva

• Workflow & Automation: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zapier, Shopify, Mailerlite

• Collaboration & Delivery: Zoom, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Notion

Skills in Action

• Remote facilitation & cohort management

• SME collaboration & content transformation

• Video editing for online learning

• Branding & design for educational content

• Process design for scalable programme delivery

Soft Skills & Approach

• Strong facilitator of live online sessions, skilled at fostering interaction, pacing discussions, and keeping learners engaged

• Empathy-driven design mindset, with a focus on time-poor adult learners

• Strategic thinker with adaptability for entrepreneurial/startup mindset

• Clear communicator and collaborative team member

• Detail-oriented with an eye for design for learning experience and flow