The Visual Lounge TechSmith Corporation

Is AI really coming for your job… or will it enhance it?
In this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce discusses the importance and practical uses of AI with Brian Sykes, the founder of AdJourney, plus a seasoned branding and marketing strategist and expert in generative AI.
They cover ways to integrate AI into everyday tasks, explore various AI tools, and address common concerns about AI, such as job displacement and copyright issues. Brian emphasizes the significance of AI as an amplifier for human capabilities and shares advice for leveraging AI effectively. The conversation also touches on the rapid advancements in AI technology and its potential positive impact on various industries.
Learning points from the episode include:
00:00 - 01:39: Introduction01:39 - 02:48 Brian’s advice for creatives using images or video02:48 - 03:46 Brian’s journey with AI 03:46 - 07:29 What AI is best at doing right now07:29 - 12:08 The questions people should be asking AI now to get it to do the best job 13:20 - 22:41 Some of the concerns with AI around copyright, creativity, and the future of work 22:41 - 27:28 Speed round Q&A 27:28 - 28:17 How to connect with Brian 28:17 - 29:00 Brian’s final take29:00 - 29:49 Outro
Important links and mentions:
Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwsykes/Follow Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theBrianSykesAI Explore’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AI.ExploreVisit Brian’s Website: https://thebriansykes.com/A.I. Explore: https://www.aiexplore.co/A.I. Lab: the-AI-Lab.com

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The legendary quote from Maya Angelou sums up the take-home message of this episode nicely.
In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we welcome Anastasia McCune, Instructional Designer for ChalkDust Consulting and eLearning Media Consulting, to talk about interactive videos and instructional design.
Videos are a fantastic tool for training and development, but interactive scenarios can take things one step further. Anastasia discusses where regular videos shine, but also where interactive videos can help viewers put those lessons into practice. She talks about how interactive videos that prompt the viewer to do something can help the message stick far better in your viewers’ minds than regular videos.
She explains her process for designing interactive eLearning experiences with the use of storyboards and shares some examples of her favorite projects, including Deloitte’s interactive recruitment experience (linked below!)
Learning points from the episode include:
00:00 – 02:22 Introduction02:22 – 04:14 One tip Anastasia has for improving how you make videos04:14 – 06:13 Where video shines as the best medium06:07 – 07:03 Why interactive learning methods help viewers practice the lessons they learn07:03 – 09:31 How making and planning interactive videos is different from regular content09:31 – 15:55 How often Anastasia uses interactive videos and when it works best15:55 – 21:42 Weighing up when to use interactive elements vs. regular training videos 21:42 – 23:54 Advice for making better screen-recorded content 23:54 – 28:26 Speed round questions 28:26 – 29:18 Anastasia’s final take 29:18 – 30:02 Outro
Important links and mentions:
Connect with Anastasia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-mccune/Anastasia’s website: http://anastasiamccune.com/
Interactive Examples:
Deloitte’s Interactive Recruitment Experience: Will You Fit In at Deloitte?https://corp.kaltura.com/resources/videos/interactive-video-example-recruiting-for-deloitte/Broken Co-Worker: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/broken-coworker - about 10 minutes to completeLife Saver: https://life-saver.org.uk/ - multiple scenarios about 10 minutes eacha...

Nowadays, trainers and L&D professionals often turn to the power of video to deliver training. But a video alone doesn’t guarantee your viewers will learn and retain the information. So how do you create a video that provokes true learning?
In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we’re joined by Jonathan Halls, the President and CEO of Jonathan Halls LLC, a Professor at George Washington University, and a best-selling author.
Jonathan reveals his top tips for using video in training scenarios, what he’s learned from his background in the BBC, and what people often get wrong about using video. We hear his insights into how we can use videos to provoke learning and what true learning really means in different contexts.
Jonathan shares his take on one of the top questions in the video creation world – how polished do videos really need to be? He also breaks down the three principles of training video creation – purpose, polished, and professional – and how they can guide you when creating your own content.
Learning points from the episode include:
00:00 – 02:40 Introduction02:40 – 03:49 Jonathan’s tip for using video in training scenarios03:49 – 04:55 What he learned from his TV background 04:55 – 08:16 What people get wrong about using video and how to decide when to use it08:16 – 17:00 How to provoke learning with videos (and what it really means)17:00 – 21:29 How polished do training videos need to be?21:29 – 28:35 An overview of Jonathan’s book28:35 – 32:05 Speed round questions 32:05 – 33:20 Jonathan’s final take33:20 – 34:47 Outro
Important links and mentions:
Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhalls/Jonathan’s website: http://www.jonathanhalls.com/Read the book, Creating Training Videos: Professional Quality With a Smartphone: https:/www.amazon.com/Creating-Training-Videos-Professional-Smartphone/dp/1953946968/

As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Visuals are a quick, efficient, and effective way of getting your message across, so your audience understands and retains key information. But how do you create effective visuals?
In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we welcome back Mike Parkinson, keynote speaker and trainer, Principal of 24 Hour Company, and Owner of Billion Dollar Graphics. Mike gives an in-depth look at how you can tap into the nature of the human brain to create the best visuals. We hear how to work with the automatic and manual sides of our brains to deliver information effectively.
He explains his step-by-step process, starting with goals and audience to working out your means and motivators – all before you even start thinking about how your visuals will look. For a masterclass in creative visuals and visual messaging, don’t miss this episode!
Learning points from the episode include:
00:00 – 01:55 Introduction01:55 – 02:54 Mike’s tip for making images better02:54 – 06:21 Why should you deliver your message in visual form06:21 – 09:27 How to start crafting your message09:27 – 14:00 Tying messages to emotions to engage people14:00 – 17:16 Means and motivators in your messaging17:16 – 22:05 Taking chunks of information and turning it into a story22:05 – 24:24 How to convey a message visually24:24 – 26:14 The benefits of following a clear process26:14 – 29:45 Why AI can be a “smart start” but not a replacement for creatives29:45 – 33:50 Speed round questions 33:50 – 34:32 Mike’s final take on using visuals 34:32 – 35:27 Outro
Important links and mentions:
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-parkinson-bb364/Follow Mike on X: https://twitter.com/Mike_ParkinsonFollow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeparkinson_bdg/Mike Parkinson and Billion Dollar Graphics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDQaYfze62MYQ_CO5rjo1wBillion Dollar Graphics: https://billiondollargraphics.com/

What makes great educational content? We dig into the anatomy (quite literally) of what makes a successful video in this episode with Taim Dawod, a recently graduated medical doctor who found success on YouTube.
Taim began his channel as a way to learn and remember information in med school, but quickly realized that he wasn’t the only one benefiting from his videos…
The Taim Talks Med YouTube channel has built a following of over 150k subs with hundreds of videos on anatomy. What started as a channel of humble presentations for his own benefit has grown into a library of engaging and helpful animated medical lectures. We hear about his journey from med school to media and the process he uses to craft each video.
Learning points from the episode include:
00:00 – 01:40 Introduction01:40 – 02:46 One tip for creating videos 02:46 – 06:30 Why Taim started a YouTube channel06:30 – 08:15 The main thing that made a difference to his videos 08:15 – 10:34 Making learning content in the way you like to learn10:34 – 15:34 How Taim decides what content topics to cover15:34 – 19:47 Taim’s step-by-step process for creating videos19:47 – 21:12 How Taim balances making videos with his job as a doctor21:12 – 24:23 How Taim battles with the expectation to upload and found a healthier approach24:23 – 26:46 Tips for medical students looking to make content26:46 -34:16 Speed round questions34:16 – 35:06 Taim’s final take35:06 – 36:16 Outro
Important links and mentions:
Follow Taim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taimtalksmed/ Subscribe to Taim Talks Med on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaimTalksMed Watch Taim’s video - How I Make Educational Videos (2024) – 7 Steps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZx5UWhkHaI

It’s no news that our attention spans are tiny in the modern world of online content, social media, and everything else on the internet. For video creators, this means it’s a constant battle to grab attention and share information that people absorb.
You might think you’re safe in the L&D space. After all, workplace educational content means you have a somewhat captive audience. But is that audience really engaging with and absorbing the content? Or is that content competing for brain space with the latest MrBeast video?
In this episode, we welcomed Matt Gjertsen, Founder of Better Every Day Studios, a learning and development consultancy that teaches people how to create better content. We explore the challenges that L&D creators are up against, how we can create better videos, and the lessons we can take from successful content creators on YouTube. He explains how L&D creators can scale their efforts, speed up content iteration, and develop a pre-planning strategy for videos.
Learning points from the episode include:
00:00 – 01:57 Introduction01:57 – 03:24 Matt’s top tip for creating better videos03:24 – 05:53 Why L&D should take lessons from YouTube creators 05:53 – 08:54 How L&D can scale and speed up content iteration 08:54 – 12:42 Why a solid pre-planning strategy is essential before you hit record12:42 – 16:27 What YouTubers and content creators get right when it comes to grabbing attention16:27 – 19:32 Why your videos’ titles and descriptions shouldn’t be an afterthought19:32 – 21:21 Why better videos mean better learning 21:21 – 24:22 Does L&D content need to be entertaining?24:22 – 26:42 What not to copy from YouTube as an L&D creator26:42 – 30:12 Speed round questions30:12 – 31:00 Matt’s final take 31:00 – 32:05 Outro
Important links and mentions:
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsen/Better Every Day Studios: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/Better Every Day Studios YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6sHpKEkdnD0-VKOIBAxcMAMaking Better podcast: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/making-better