The Visual Lounge

TechSmith Corporation
  • 4.8 (20)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Visuals and videos are powerful, but creating them can feel overwhelming. Yet they are essential to creating content that impacts understanding, helps improve communication, and can save you and the viewers time and money.  The Visual Lounge is a place where we talk about creating and using visuals and videos for all sorts of communication. Whether you’re creating a course to help your organization roll out new software, an educator learning to better communicate with  your students, or a marketer helping your customers see the impact of your product, our conversations will help see how visuals can impact your work.  Listen in as Matt Pierce, Learning & Video Ambassador, leads you through a variety of conversations with industry guests and experts. You’ll get practical advice and insights to help you to create better and more impactful images and videos.

  1. 6D AGO

    End-of-Year Tips and Holiday Cheer from the TechSmith Team

    As the new year starts, it’s the perfect time to reflect (and look forward) on how we create and communicate learning content. In this special episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt is joined by some TechSmith team members (or TechSmithies!) who share their favourite tips, shortcuts, and features in Snagit and Camtasia. These are real workflows used every day to support creators, teams, and organizations. From speeding up video editing with simple keyboard shortcuts, to collaborating without meetings, to building consistency across projects, this episode is packed with practical insider tips from our TechSmithies that you can start using right away. It’s also a moment to say thank you to The Visual Lounge community for tuning in, sharing feedback, and being part of the conversation throughout the year. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 00:39 Intro 00:39 - 01:31 Matt’s most used features in Camtasia 01:31 - 02:55 A look back on a great year02:55 - 03:20 Happy Holidays from Cameron, Senior Customer Care Specialist at TechSmith03:20 - 05:41 Collaboration workflow in Camtasia Online05:41 - 08:20 How presets in SnagIt make your life easier08:20 - 08:48 Capturing text directly with Snagit08:48 - 10:51 Using placeholders in Camtasia10:51 Looking forward to the year ahead Important links and mentions: Explore TechSmith: https://www.techsmith.com/ Learn more about Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/ Learn more about Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ Explore Camtasia AI: https://camtasia.ai/

    11 min

  2. 12/16/2025

    Adapting to Change: Surviving the Rapid AI Transformation in the Workplace

    AI is reshaping learning and development faster than any of us expected. So how do we adapt? And what skills will matter most as tools, workflows and expectations keep changing in the workplace? In this episode, Matt speaks with Josh Cavalier, an AI and L&D expert with more than two decades of experience helping organizations modernize the way they design learning. Josh is also the author of Applying AI in Learning and Development, a practical guide for teams looking to build confidence, capability and structure around AI-powered work. Josh shares real-world insights on handling rapid change inside organizations, understanding how AI affects creative and instructional output, and building the skills to keep up. He explores how the role of L&D is shifting, why integrity matters more than ever, and what it looks like to create a personal AI training plan for 2026. You'll also hear how to identify your 'sources of truth' so you can keep up with changes in your industry and in AI without getting overwhelmed, plus why having access to multiple AI models can dramatically improve the quality of your work. Learning points from the episode include: 00:55 – 02:17 Introduction to Josh’s book02:17 – 05:37 How do we apply AI to the jobs that we do?05:37 – 08:13 How do we keep up and use AI in the day-to-day?08:13 – 13:41 Why adaptability is paramount with AI13:41 – 17:49 How AI has raised the bar in work17:49 – 19:39 AI as an enabler for creativity19:39 – 25:08 Maintaining your integrity25:08 – 28:48 Avatars vs humans in video28:48 – 30:30 The HUMAN framework30:30 – 34:25 Faster? Or faster and better?34:25 – 37:08 Josh’s final take Important links and mentions: Find Josh’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Applying-Learning-Development-Platforms-PerformanceVisit Josh’s website: https://www.joshcavalier.com/Connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcavalier/Learn more about The HUMAN framework: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/human-framework-for-ai-training-videos/

    38 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    Pause. Rewind. Learn. More Effective Learning with Patti Shank

    Ever clicked play on a learning video that looks polished and professional, only to finish it and think, “Wait, what did I just learn?”   In this episode, we’re revisiting a conversation with Patti Shank, an internationally recognized learning designer, researcher, and author who has spent years studying how people really take in information. Patti knows that effective learning isn’t about the video itself, it’s about how the viewer processes it.  She unpacks the hidden reasons instructional videos fall short, why cognitive overload is more common than we think, and how simple design choices can make or break viewer understanding.  You’ll hear Patti explain the critical role of learner control, the pitfalls of combining text, visuals, and narration, and why background music (even the relaxed kind) can silently derail understanding. Plus, she shares practical ways to design video, so it supports effective thinking, processing, and learning.  Learning points from the episode include:   00:00 - 01:12 Introduction 01:12 - 01:59 The difference between reading and listening 01:59 - 02:57 The importance of learner control 02:57 - 04:28 Why background music usually hurts learning 04:28 - 05:07 Why video is powerful when designed well 05:07 - Outro  Important links and mentions:  Connect with Patti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattishank  Check out Patti’s website: https://www.pattishank.com/  Listen to Patti’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge in episode 155: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/research-learning-from-videos

    5 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    How to Choose the Right AI Video Tools Without Breaking the Bank

    Imagine logging in next month to find your bill for the AI tool you use has doubled, or that you've run out of credits halfway through a critical project. The explosion of AI video tools has brought incredible capabilities to content creators, but alongside these innovations comes a new challenge: complex pricing models that make it difficult to budget, explain costs to your boss, or know if you're getting sustainable value from your tools. Joining us in this episode is Daniel Foster, Director of Monetization at TechSmith, who studies the evolution of software pricing and has been closely watching how AI tools are being packaged and priced. Daniel shares practical advice for evaluating AI tools beyond just their features, looking at the "whole product" including support, documentation, and pricing sustainability. He explains how to navigate credit-based systems, and why bundled solutions might save you both money and headaches. Learning points from the episode include: 00:38 - 01:52 Introduction to Daniel01:52 - 03:06 Daniel's tip for using images and video in work03:06 - 05:05 Why pricing decisions matter as much as features05:05 - 07:51 Current AI pricing models emerging in the market07:51 - 10:56 The complexity of credit-based systems10:56 - 13:47 Alternatives and features to look for in pricing13:47 - 19:54 Evaluating all-in-one vs. specialized tools19:54 - 22:29 Support and documentation considerations22:29 - 23:23 The most popular AI feature: Voice generation23:23 - 27:56 Speed round questions27:56 - 28:53 Daniel's final take28:53 - 30:14 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielfoster/Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

    30 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    From "Watch Bait" to Workflow: Leveraging AI Video for Success

    What happens when everyone can create AI videos with just a text prompt? We’re entering the “watch bait era” where AI-generated short clips may start dominating social media feeds, making it harder to distinguish between AI content, misinformation, and reality. The technology is improving but still has real limitations. While AI avatars and lip-sync are getting better, we’re still dealing with 8-second clip restrictions, consistency issues (your character might lose their glasses between scenes), and the ongoing challenge of writing effective prompts. Joining us is Myra Roldan, Founder and Chief AI Officer at UnDesto AI, who’s been working in the AI space for 12 years. She shares practical insights on what AI video can actually do today, why you need authorization before using these tools with company data, and why storyboarding remains essential. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:45 Introduction to Myra Roldan02:45 - 03:41 12 years in AI: pushing limits and finding considerations03:41 - 05:18 Current state: better avatars, but still limited05:18 - 06:58 Understanding the "watch bait era"06:58 - 08:52 Corporate AI use: authorization and strategy first08:52 - 10:11 Cheap, fast or good, pick two10:11 - 12:38 Consistency challenges with AI characters12:38 - 16:00 Writing effective short prompts and accepting waste16:00 - 17:05 Generation costs and platform caps17:05 - 18:08 The "drunk intern" analogy18:08 - 20:14 Moving from experimentation to everyday use20:14 - 23:45 Why video editing skills still matter23:45 - 29:12 Speed round questions29:12 - 29:19 Myra's final take29:19 - 31:04 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Myra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myraroldan/Find out more about UnDesto AI: https://intelligence.undesto.ai/Watch Hey It’s Myra on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learnwithmyraCamtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

    31 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Supercharging Your Presentation Speed: Tips and Tricks

    We've all sat through presentations that feel like a performance, polished, professional, but somehow disconnected. The speaker hits every point perfectly, yet we walk away feeling nothing. So, what's missing? For this episode, we're revisiting a conversation with Leslie Chamberlain, Head of Customer Success at Gibbs Smith Education. Leslie knows that great presentations aren't about perfection, they're about connection. She shares why infusing your personality into presentations matters more than hitting every bullet point, and reveals the secret to keeping audiences engaged through authentic delivery. You'll hear Leslie's approach to making presentations "sense-rich," her take on scripting versus speaking naturally, and practical tips for condensing information without losing impact. Plus, she reveals why being authentic beats being polished every time. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:49 Introduction02:49 - 05:13 How Leslie became involved in customer success05:13 - 06:49 Making learning presentations successful06:49 - 09:04 Leslie's tip for using videos and images in presentations09:04 - 10:43 Brand vs individual in your presentations10:43 - 16:14 The first steps towards a great presentation16:14 - 19:06 Making your ideas sense-rich19:06 - 24:54 Where people get stuck making presentations24:54 - 26:47 Should you script presentations?26:47 - 31:40 How to condense information and keep things short31:40 - 35:57 Hear Leslie's Speed Round answers35:57 - 36:36 Leslie's final take36:36 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-chamberlain-a3475121/Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/

    38 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    Transform Courses Into Campaigns: Repurposing Learning Content for Lasting Impact

    What if your carefully crafted training course could become a content campaign that actually drives behavior change? Most L&D professionals create amazing content that gets consumed once and forgotten. But what if that single course could spawn dozens of touchpoints that reinforce learning over time? We're seeing a shift where smart L&D teams are borrowing from marketing playbooks, and it's working. The secret isn't creating more content; it's strategically repurposing what you already have. Joining this episode is Mike Taylor, Learning Consultant at Nationwide and co-author of "Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro." Mike's been pioneering the campaign approach to learning, and shows us how one webinar recording can become email sequences, infographics, GIFs, and micro-learning moments. He explains why thinking in campaigns rather than courses changes everything, introduces the SURE model for creating content that sticks, and shows how to overcome the "we don't have time" objection with smart repurposing strategies. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:22 Introduction to repurposing and spawning multiple content pieces02:22 - 05:15 Why repurposing isn't more work and how to expand your reach05:15 - 06:56 Think campaigns not courses: the hero content pyramid06:56 - 09:19 Leaving breadcrumb trails across multiple channels09:19 - 11:51 Setting hooks and the SURE model for relevant content11:51 - 12:39 Why content creates feelings whether you know it or not12:39 - 14:23 Turning annual compliance into year-round micro-learning14:23 - 16:37 Using AI and A/B testing data to sell repurposing internally16:37 - 17:58 Finding small experiments to build credibility17:58 - 21:13 Visual repurposing: webinars to GIFs, polls to graphics21:13 - 23:13 Using Camtasia for Microsoft Office tips and animated GIFs23:13 - 25:00 Why even simple content benefits from repurposing25:00 - 26:53 Making subject matter expert content digestible26:53 - 31:15 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Mike Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketaylor/Find out more about Train Like a Marketer: https://trainlikeamarketer.com/Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/  Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/Audiate: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/audiate/

    33 min

  8. 10/29/2025

    One Approach to Designing Learning Videos That Avoid Cognitive Overload

    Have you ever watched a learning video and felt completely overwhelmed, even though the topic itself wasn't that complicated? That feeling of mental exhaustion is cognitive overload, and it's often the result of poor instructional design. Host Matt Pierce introduces Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), a framework that explains how our brains process information and, more importantly, how we can design learning experiences that work with our cognitive limitations rather than against them. Matt breaks down the three types of cognitive load: intrinsic (the inherent difficulty of the material), extraneous (unnecessary mental effort caused by poor design), and germane (the beneficial mental effort that leads to real learning). Throughout the episode, Matt shares practical, actionable strategies that video creators can implement immediately to create videos that teach rather than overwhelm. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 01:00 Introduction to cognitive overload in learning videos01:00 - 02:30 What cognitive load theory is02:30 - 03:45 A closer look at the three types of cognitive load in practice03:45 - 05:17 Managing content difficulty05:17 - 07:00 Timing actions for visual clarity07:00 - 09:46 Removing distractions and simplifying visuals09:46 - 11:00 Simplifying learning for better retention11:00 - 11:50 Promoting deeper understanding in videos11:50 - 13:10 Practical application and resources for creating effective training videos13:10 - 13:30 Outro Important links and mentions: Learn more about Dr Richard Mayer’s principles for multimedia learning: https://www.digitallearninginstitute.com/blog/mayers-principles-multimedia-learningFind more resources from Jonathan Halls: https://jonathanhalls.com/

    14 min
See All (271)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Visuals and videos are powerful, but creating them can feel overwhelming. Yet they are essential to creating content that impacts understanding, helps improve communication, and can save you and the viewers time and money.  The Visual Lounge is a place where we talk about creating and using visuals and videos for all sorts of communication. Whether you’re creating a course to help your organization roll out new software, an educator learning to better communicate with  your students, or a marketer helping your customers see the impact of your product, our conversations will help see how visuals can impact your work.  Listen in as Matt Pierce, Learning & Video Ambassador, leads you through a variety of conversations with industry guests and experts. You’ll get practical advice and insights to help you to create better and more impactful images and videos.

Information

  • Creator
    TechSmith Corporation
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    271
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 TechSmith Corporation
  • Show Website
    The Visual Lounge