The Main Problem: The annual compliance courses needed to be more engaging to improve knowledge retention.

The Solution: Created a scenario-based game for associates to apply their knowledge of company policies while tying them back to the company values. The course was separated into Corporate and Store versions to feature appropriate scenarios to which associates can relate. Partnered with Legal and Compliance stakeholders and Field and Corporate HR Business Partner SMEs to ensure the content was accurate and relevant.

The Result: Extremely positive feedback from both stakeholders and learners. The course was usually rebuilt and overhauled every 2 years, and this is the first version that has remained static beyond that timeframe except for updating the scenarios within the game.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, Audacity
Duration: 30 min.

The Main Problem: With many options and varying eligibility, associates preparing for maternity leave had many questions and uncertainties. The Benefits team hoped for a solution that would minimize the number of questions the associates had regarding their leave of absence.

The Solution: Addressed concerns and alleviated confusion by providing a tailored experience for each associate through branching. After answering a few questions about their employment status and length of service, learners complete a customized worksheet with details and dates for action items for preparations, leave of absence, and pay while on leave as they progress through the course.

The Result: Associates received customized step-by-step instructions, and the Benefits team saw a significant decrease in the number of questions they were receiving, which increased their productivity in administrating the leaves of absence.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, Audacity
Duration: 15 min.

The Main Problem: Emotional intelligence is a critical aspect of leadership - however, not everyone understands exactly what it is, their current competence, and how to improve.

The Solution: This course not only defines the five components of emotional intelligence but also provides an interactive, immediate self-assessment to identify strengths and opportunities. Each learner is provided with suggestions for specific actions to improve the aspects of emotional intelligence they need the most development.

The Result: Stakeholders and learners agreed that the interactive and immediate self-assessment immensely improved engagement. They retained more information because it now directly applies to their competence and improvement.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator
Duration: 15 min.

The Main Problem: Learners need a better understanding of empathy and how to exercise it in real life in leadership situations.

The Solution: To promote better retention and activation, the course includes elements to heighten engagement and ownership. Learners customize their own “Empathy Notebook” at the beginning of the course to garner emotional investment. Scenario-based interactivity and practice allow leaders to apply the new knowledge and hone their empathy skills when responding to real-life situations. Appropriate and realistic scenarios were chosen to appeal to the target audience of corporate leaders.

The Result: Corporate leaders achieved the learning objectives with an increased success rate: discerning between the types of empathy and in which situations to use which, and demonstrating appropriate empathy through realistic scenarios.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator
Duration: 25 min.

To be posted on the bulletin boards in the backrooms of every Ulta Beauty store.

Various marketing materials were created for the launch of the new Competencies, including the displayed table tent design, as well as posters and intranet banners. While every associate was required to complete the e-learning course, these print collaterals reminded associates what the competencies are and how they should behave each day by them. The poster explained to the associates how the competencies fit in with values and leadership model to define our guiding principles. The table tent was intentionally selected to contain more information about each competency since it is closer to the associate and they are more likely to read the content while on break.

Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign

The launch of the new competencies coincided with Ulta Beauty’s Field Leadership Conference. Various physical merchandise was created to generate excitement among the field leadership attendees, including general managers of stores and regional and divisional vice presidents.

Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign

The stakeholders wanted to generate interest around the launch of UltaLearn, so brief videos were created to promote the new features of the system. Two versions were created, one highlighting the corporate platform and manager functions, and the other demonstrating field-specific features for store and district managers.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Audacity, Adobe Premiere Pro

A playful tagline and whimsical graphics were incorporated to foster a fun and inviting atmosphere for the new LMS. Analysis of current system usage data and focus groups determined the shortcut buttons on the homepage for the corporate/DC and store domains. The fresh new look and the ease of navigation helped generate excitement and alleviate change management.

Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign

As the training lead for the LMS implementation project, the instructional designer created several user guides for the various audiences and their respective functions in the new system. Needs analysis and a deep understanding of the organization’s culture and operating procedures determined that static job aides were the best delivery method. Interactive elements allow users to find the necessary topic easily.

Tools: Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator

Unconscious bias and racial profiling are required topics to be covered each year. The course revisits how biases form, the common types of biases, and how those biases sometimes manifest in the form of racial profiling. Further exploration of how racial profiling affects the guest experience and how to check our own unconscious bias encourages reflection and behavior adjustments.

The course includes interactive activities, reflection points, discussion questions, scenarios, and quizzes to engage learners and promote constructivist learning.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Audacity, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PremierPro
Duration: 45 min.

As a company that celebrates beauty as an expression of authenticity, being your true self at work can remain vague. The course explains what it means at Ulta Beauty and how some groups may feel they need to hide parts of themselves to fit in. We encourage associates to foster an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe to be themselves and demonstrate those values through their actions and words every day.

The course includes interactive activities, reflection points, discussion questions, scenarios, and quizzes to engage learners and promote constructivist learning.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Audacity, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PremierPro
Duration: 45 min.

This course explores the characteristics and stereotypes associated with the different generations in the workforce today and how we don’t fit neatly into those preconceived categories due to our unique life experiences. We encourage associates to reflect on their “onliness” and remember that others are also unique in their own ways to avoid making assumptions about them based on their perceived age.

The course includes interactive activities, reflection points, discussion questions, scenarios, and quizzes to engage learners and promote constructivist learning.

Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Audacity, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PremierPro
Duration: 45 min.