ONBOARDING TRAINING: CUSTOM MENU
BEERTENDER EXCELLENCE
This e-learning concept prepares learners for working in a bar setting. After completing the training, they’ll be able to confidently recommend beers, interact with customers, and handle real-life service scenarios with ease.
- Audience: New bar and brewery staff learning to interact with customers and recommend drinks, as well as managers and trainers responsible for onboarding and service quality.
- Responsibilities: Instructional Design, Scenario Design, Script Writing, Visual Design, eLearning Development, Generative AI Integration
- Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, DALL·E, Freepik AI Suite, Canva, ChatGPT, Google Docs
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
As Baillies Brewing prepares to open its taproom, new beertenders must be ready to deliver knowledgeable, customer-focused service from day one. However, many of them lack both the beer knowledge and the consultative selling skills needed to confidently guide customers through the brewery’s offerings. Without proper training, there's a risk of poor first impressions, missed recommendations, and inconsistent service - all of which could hurt customer retention and word-of-mouth in a competitive craft beer market.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
I designed a scenario-based eLearning course with a custom menu that guides learners through 2 essential modules: beer knowledge and customer interaction, followed by a practice scenario that simulates a day in the taproom. The course includes a printable job aid that learners can use both during training and on the job to help guide beer recommendations. In the simulation, the job aid is available on demand, allowing learners to practice using support tools just as they would in a real-world setting. This structure builds confidence, reinforces learning, and ensures beertenders are prepared to deliver welcoming, personalized service from day one.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PROCESS
ABOUT THE PROJECT IDEA
This project was created for Tim Slade’s Instructional Design Challenge. The goal was to help new beertenders at Baillies Brewery build beer knowledge and customer service skills. Big thanks to Tim for the detailed brief and all the valuable resources he shares with the community!
VISUAL MOCKUPS
With the style guide in hand, I started by creating a mood board to gather inspiration and ensure visual consistency throughout the project. From there, I designed a set of master slides based on the brand style and began generating AI-based images of the setting and characters to maintain a cohesive, realistic look across the course.
PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE
To create a more engaging and personalized experience, I included a slide where learners are asked to enter their first name at the start of their practice scenario. Their name is then used throughout the learning experience. This small touch helps create a sense of connection and makes the learner feel more directly involved in the scenario.
SHOWING CONSEQUENCES THROUGH REALISTIC SCENARIOS
One of my key design goals was to show- not tell. Instead of simply explaining (in words) what could happen, I used realistic visuals and character reactions to let learners see the consequences of their choices. Whether they greeted a customer warmly or missed the mark, the responses were visually and emotionally clear, helping learners understand the impact of their actions in a way that feels authentic and memorable.
STEPPING OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE
One of the biggest challenges for me was using realistic visuals made with generative AI. I usually work with vector graphics, but this time I decided to try something new. Instead of staying in my comfort zone, I chose to learn how to create matching AI-generated images and videos. Tim Slade’s challenge gave me the freedom to be creative, so it felt like the right time to try. It took a lot of trial and error to make sure everything looked consistent- the characters, the place, and their facial expressions. This was also my first time combining realistic visuals with scenario-based learning, so making everything work together was hard, but also very rewarding.
RESULTS
WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING
The feedback I received on my LinkedIn profile has been incredibly encouraging. Reviewers highlighted how engaging and informative the learning experience felt, especially praising the use of AI-generated visuals and short customer videos to bring realism into the scenario. Many noted how polished the design looked, how well the content was structured, and how smooth the experience was even on mobile. The storytelling, warm aesthetic, and practical tools like the job aid were also appreciated. I’m especially proud that others saw the effort I put into pushing beyond my comfort zone to create something immersive, interactive, and visually cohesive.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM REVIEWER COMMENTS
"Such a beautiful design and so much interactivity within the slides. Amazing work, Ewa! The experience was fun and seamless. I enjoyed learning about the art of beertending and brewery. A special note on AI generated video and images - it looks so realistic and aesthetically pleasing, just wow!"
"Well done! I love the feel of it. Congratulations on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone - where real growth happens 🙌"
"Love this, Ewa! I especially liked the short videos in between of the customers. It’s a great way to enhance the simulation!"
"Wow, Ewa! This is amazing- As a brewery goer myself, I really enjoyed learning more about the different styles and recommendations. Your use of AI tools was very effective and engaging! (...)"
"Excited for this 🔥 I'm loving how you're pressing the boundaries of AI here! Very well done! (...)"
"This is fantastic work, Ewa! I had a chance to go through it on my phone earlier today, and it ran really well on mobile. The e-learning experience you created is both engaging and informative. The visuals looked great too. I’ve also used the FreePik AI Suite for a few of my projects, it’s a pretty versatile tool."
"The graphics and colors are so warm and appealing. I also appreciate how you scaffolded the learning experience, by starting with a tab interaction; then offering models on how to engage customers; before sending us off to practice. What a fantastic onboarding module!!"
"This was a super cool activity! I loved your use of storytelling, the quick reference guide at the top empowering users to use their tools on the job, and the use of Ai to amplify your design. I checked out your portfolio and you are a talented storyteller. Kudos!"
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