Hi, I’m Amy!
I design workplace learning for people who are already carrying a lot.
Work does not pause so people can learn. People bring deadlines, responsibilities, shifting priorities, different access needs, and varying levels of confidence into every learning experience. I design with those realities in mind.
My work starts by understanding both sides of the experience: what an organization needs people to do, and what people need in order to do it well. That means looking beyond content alone. I consider the structures, expectations, tools, information, and support surrounding a task—and whether training is actually the right solution.
Whether I’m building a course, facilitator guide, knowledge hub, decision tool, or support system, my goal is the same: create learning that reduces friction, clarifies expectations, and helps people move from understanding to action.
What I Design
My work spans learning experience design, instructional design, performance support, knowledge systems, and digital learning.
Depending on the problem, that might include:
Workplace learning and digital learning experiences
Performance-support and decision-support tools
Knowledge hubs and resource systems
eLearning and scenario-based learning
Facilitator and participant resources
Learning programs and implementation support
Accessible and flexible learning experiences
Tools that help people apply knowledge while doing the work
The deliverable changes. The question stays consistent: What will help this person successfully do what they need to do?
Selected Work
My portfolio explores what happens when learning design starts with the conditions surrounding performance—not simply the content someone needs to know.
Volunteer Learning & Knowledge System
A SharePoint-based learning, communication, and performance-support ecosystem for a virtual nonprofit.
What began as a volunteer training request expanded after discovery revealed a larger problem: fragmented information and informal processes were making participation and continuity more difficult.
Designing for Learner Variability in Articulate Storyline
A technical learning experience that helps instructional designers build learner preference systems without adding unnecessary complexity.
I created this project to explore how designers can give learners more control over their course experience while still preserving accessibility, usability, and instructional intent. The course teaches a reusable Storyline pattern using variables, layers, states, and triggers to remember learner preferences and apply them consistently across slides.
The project includes interactive examples, a downloadable Storyline sandbox, and a custom Responsive Design Assistant GPT to help designers decide which preferences are meaningful, plan their implementation, and troubleshoot the system in their own courses.
From Exclusion to Inclusion: Supporting Students in Alternative Settings
A performance-based learning experience designed to help teachers support students assigned to alternative school settings.
This project addresses a common gap: teachers are still responsible for student learning during placement, but often lack a clear process for communication, instructional support, and continuity.
I designed a four-module course with realistic scenarios, a companion resource site, and an Educational Support Plan that helps teachers make informed decisions and communicate support needs more consistently.
Reciprocal Mentorship Program
A structured, cross-generational mentorship system designed to support knowledge sharing across differences in experience, tenure, skills, and workplace perspective.
I designed the program around mutual exchange rather than traditional mentor/mentee roles. Legacy Partners and Growth Partners each enter as both contributors and learners, supported by intentional matching, clear expectations, conversation tools, reflection prompts, and psychological-safety safeguards.
The project includes a turnkey Notion implementation workspace, participant and coordinator resources, a pre-course experience, troubleshooting supports, evaluation tools, and a custom Mentor Matcher GPT to help organizations launch and sustain the program.
Design Approach
Learn more about the principles that guide my approach to workplace learning.
Connect With Me
Have a project or question in mind? Let’s start a conversation.
What People Are Saying
Wendy Verna, President and Founder, Octo Design Group
As a seasoned marketer entering the field of soft skills education for the first time, I knew I needed guidance from someone who not only understood the landscape, but genuinely cared about youth development. I met Amy Cowan during an online webinar, and from our very first exchange, I could tell she brought not just expertise, but heart.
Amy immediately jumped in, sharing research, breaking down unfamiliar terms, and offering clear, actionable next steps. She helped me connect the dots between my vision and the real-world needs of students and educators. Her generosity, strategic clarity, and ability to connect the big picture with practical steps made a huge difference.
If you’re looking for a partner who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in making a difference, Amy is exactly who you want in your corner.
Lauren Kopsick, Founder and Executive Director of The Healthcare Navigation Project
I’ve worked as a small business consultant for over 20 years, in addition to leading a nonprofit—and I know firsthand that the sign of a great collaborator is someone who can balance expertise with adaptability. Amy Cowan does exactly that.
Since we began working together, Amy has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to our organization. She’s helping us expand and transition our volunteer onboarding deck from Canva to SharePoint, bringing clarity, structure, and a keen eye for usability. She listens carefully, works efficiently, and brings both polish and practicality to every step of the process.
Credentials and Badges
Master of Education in Secondary Education
Texas State University, 2012
Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design
Digital Learning Institute, 2024