For years, elearning has often been synonymous with linear, point-and-click experiences built with tools like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate. While these platforms remain powerful and widely used, too many courses fall into the trap of being uninspired slide decks with interactions tacked on as an afterthought. They may check the compliance box, but do they truly engage, inspire, or stick?
The good news is this: we can do better.
And some of the best inspiration lies not just within the world of learning, but in mobile apps, games, UX design, marketing, and award-winning graphic design. Here’s how these disciplines are raising the bar and how you can apply their principles to design elearning that makes a real impact.
From linear navigation to mobile app agility
Traditional elearning tends to lock learners into a linear path. Think: “Click Next to Continue.” In contrast, modern mobile apps are fluid, intuitive, and responsive. They’re built around user needs and designed for flexible, often self-directed use.
What to borrow:
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Chunk content into micro-learning modules that can stand alone or be explored non-linearly.
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Optimise for mobile-first delivery with responsive layouts.
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Enable user choice: let learners skip, revisit, or explore at their own pace, just like they would in an app.
From corporate clipart to award-winning visual design
Let’s face it, many traditional courses still rely on bland stock imagery and uninspiring layouts. Compare this with the polished, immersive feel of a well-designed app or award-winning digital product.
What to borrow:
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Invest in strong graphic design use white space, colour theory, and typography with intention.
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Replace clipart with high-quality custom or branded visuals.
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Use animation and transitions subtly to guide attention, not distract.
Great design isn’t decoration, it’s clarity, focus, and engagement.
From clunky interfaces to UX that respects the learner
Bad UX can kill even the best content. Think tiny buttons, confusing menus, or unclear instructions. Many modern courses still ignore basic usability principles.
What to borrow:
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Apply UX heuristics: ensure consistency, visibility of system status, and user control.
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Conduct usability testing with real learners even quick hallway tests can reveal friction points.
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Design with empathy: What do learners need to see, do, and feel at each step?
Borrow from product design: treat your course like a digital product, not just a presentation.
From information dump to marketing-style engagement
Marketers have mastered the art of grabbing attention and sparking action. They know how to tell stories, provoke curiosity, and get people to care. Traditional elearning? Often the opposite: dry, overloaded, and forgettable.
What to borrow:
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Use storytelling and emotional hooks. Lead with a question, a problem, or a surprising fact.
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Focus on benefits, not features: Why should this matter to the learner?
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Use techniques like spaced repetition and call-to-action prompts to reinforce learning over time.
Think like a marketer: sell your learners on the value of what they’re learning.
From passive interaction to game-inspired engagement
Games offer clear goals, immediate feedback, and a sense of progression all things that boost motivation. Yet many traditional courses settle for basic drag-and-drop exercises that feel more like chores than challenges.
What to borrow:
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Introduce meaningful choices, branching paths, and consequences.
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Incorporate challenge and reward loops: levels or narrative progression.
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Design interactions that feel like play, not testing.
Gamification done well isn’t gimmicky: it taps into the psychology of motivation and flow.
Build for the learner, not the template
Creating impactful elearning means moving beyond what’s convenient or familiar and drawing inspiration from disciplines that excel at digital experience. Mobile apps teach us flexibility. Graphic design brings clarity and emotion. UX ensures usability. Marketing drives engagement. Games spark immersion and motivation.
So next time you open up Storyline or your authoring tool of choice, don’t just ask: “What interaction can I add here?”
Ask:
“What will make this stick?”
“How does this feel to the learner?”
“Would this hold my attention on a phone?”
The future of elearning isn’t a slide with buttons. It’s an experience.
Ready to move beyond ‘click-next’? If you’re looking to create learning experiences that are interactive, immersive, and designed for real impact, Near-Life can help. Our platform makes it easy to build scenario-based learning, gamified content, and AI-driven role-play without needing to code. Sign up for a free demo and let us show you how Near-Life can bring your learning vision to life and engage your learners like never before.