Reimagining Onboarding in Canvas LMS

Transforming SmartStage workflows into a structured, accessible onboarding experience for Media Team members within Canvas LMS using learning design, UX/UI design, and HTML/CSS.

Previously, SmartStage onboarding relied on static, text-heavy documentation with limited structure and inconsistent training experiences. New Media Team members often received varying levels of understanding depending on informal instruction.

The onboarding experience needed to support learners with different levels of technical experience while enabling self-paced and repeatable learning.

A key goal from stakeholders was to improve not only knowledge transfer but also engagement, curiosity, and confidence when working with SmartStage systems.

The SmartStage Onboarding Course is a required onboarding experience designed for Media Team members within the Office of Digital Education. It introduces learners to SmartStage, a virtual production environment that uses extended reality technologies, LED volumes, motion capture, and real-time digital systems.

As the Learning Experience Designer and project lead, I translated complex technical information and stakeholder input into structured learning outcomes, module objectives, and a cohesive onboarding experience within Canvas LMS.

The goal of this project is to improve onboarding consistency, usability, and engagement while working within institutional LMS constraints.

Design
Approach

I began with learner journey mapping to understand what learners needed to know, when they needed it, and how they would engage with technical onboarding content.

Learner Understanding

I conducted a content audit of existing onboarding materials to identify gaps in structure, clarity, and consistency that informed the redesign.

Content Analysis

I created wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes to align stakeholders on structure and learning flow before development in Canvas LMS

Early Design Exploration

Outcomes and objectives were informed by Bloom’s + Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning to support both foundational knowledge and meaningful learning progression.

Learning Taxonomies

Design Decisions

Modular Learning Structure

Content was organized into progressive modules to support clarity, repetition, and self-paced learning.

Intuitive Navigation System

Navigation was designed to reduce cognitive load and help learners move easily between foundational and applied content.

Visual Hierarchy for Technical Learners

Strong emphasis was placed on structure, spacing, and visual clarity to support learners engaging with complex technical content.

Modular Learning Structure

Content was organized into progressive modules to support clarity, repetition, and self-paced learning.

1/3

Solutions

The final course was built entirely within Canvas LMS and enhanced using custom HTML and CSS to improve usability and engagement.

Key implementations include:

Custom HTML layouts for improved structure and readability
Accordion-based content design for layered learning
Visual hierarchy improvements through modular design
Accessibility-focused adjustments for better usability
Alignment with institutional branding and style guidelines

The result is a structured onboarding experience that transforms static documentation into an interactive and learner-centered course..

Homepage of SmartStage Onboarding Course

Module 1 of SmartStage Onboarding Course

Module 2 of SmartStage Onboarding Course

Module 3 of SmartStage Onboarding Course

Select visuals have been curated to respect internal content and organizational processes.

Uptale

The initial plan included integrating text directly with images inside the Uptale environment. However, platform constraints prevented the implementation of this plan using the slideshow function. As a result, the textual information was retained on the corresponding Canvas course page. This outcome proved beneficial, as the limitation helped keep cognitive load low and supported a stronger focus on observation within the immersive space. The result is a more layered learning experience.

The next phase of the project focuses on final refinements and preparing the course for user testing with intended learners. This includes integrating remaining content updates provided by key stakeholders and ensuring all modules are fully aligned with onboarding goals.

Once final updates are complete, the course will move into user testing to evaluate usability, clarity, and overall learning effectiveness. Insights from testing will inform final iterations prior to full implementation.

This phase ensures the experience is fully aligned with both instructional goals and real-world learner needs before launch.

This project strengthened my ability to design within constrained systems

while balancing stakeholder needs, usability, and technical complexity.

Key areas of growth include:

Translating unstructured stakeholder input into structured experiences
Designing instructional flow for technical onboarding content
Expanding HTML and CSS implementation within Canvas LMS
Strengthening stakeholder collaboration and communication

If revisiting this project, I would invest more heavily in early-stage planning and user testing preparation to strengthen alignment and support future iteration.

The project has received positive feedback throughout development, particularly around clarity, structure, and visual design direction.

Iterative stakeholder reviews validated the instructional design approach and overall user experience strategy. The redesigned onboarding experience also introduced a more structured and learner-centered alternative to previously static documentation.

Current success indicators:

Positive stakeholder feedback throughout development
Improved structure and usability compared to previous onboarding materials
Strong alignment between learning goals and design execution
Effective integration of UX and learning design principles within Canvas LMS

Reimagining Onboarding in Canvas LMS

Design Approach

Design Decisions

Solutions

Uptale

Design
Approach