The Best AI Instructional Design Portfolio Project for 2026

If you're ready to build portfolio projects like these with feedback, structure, and support, apply to Peck Academy before priority applications close tomorrow, May 26 👉https://www.peckacademy.com

What’s the best instructional design portfolio project to build in 2026?

In this video, I’m breaking down why AI-powered simulations inside Storyline 360 may be one of the strongest ways to show hiring managers that you’re ready for where instructional design is headed next.

For a while, I recommended custom GPTs as a great first AI portfolio project.

They were accessible, impressive, and helped people show AI readiness. But they also had a limitation: they didn’t show that you could build inside the authoring tools that most L&D teams actually use.

Now, with tools that let us embed AI simulations directly into Storyline, we can combine scenario design, prompt engineering, multimedia development, and performance-based learning into one flagship project.

I walk through several examples, including a retail coaching simulation, an art heist detective scenario, an emotionally intelligent leadership text simulation, and a voice-based dog training practice activity.

I’ll show what makes these projects stand out, why they’re more powerful than static multiple-choice scenarios, and how they can help your instructional design portfolio feel more current, strategic, and job-ready.

If you're interested in joining the ID Professional Certification program, exploring the curriculum, or seeing how we help you build portfolio projects like these, check out the links below:

Apply to Peck Academy: https://www.peckacademy.com

#instructionaldesign #elearning #peckacademy

Using the affiliate links below will help support me and the content on this channel:

***Best AI Tools for Instructional Designers***
Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/?via=devlin
WellSaid Labs: https://www.wellsaidlabs.com/?via=devlin
Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=jJTSTA
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***Best Laptops for Instructional Designers***
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***Best Books for Instructional Designers***
The Non-Designer’s Design Book: https://amzn.to/3kP0reO
Map It: https://amzn.to/3f137mR
eLearning and the Science of Instruction: https://amzn.to/3kNuBiF
Design For How People Learn: https://amzn.to/3CLtrNM
Michael Allen’s Guide to eLearning: https://amzn.to/31ZUbJB

00:00 - Intro
01:36 - Combining AI interactions with Storyline 360
04:57 - Why these projects used to require advanced development skills
06:40 - Art heist detective simulation example
08:16 - Leadership support and emotional intelligence simulation
10:44 - Voice-based dog training simulation and performance feedback
13:35 - What these projects show hiring managers
15:37 - How we’re building these projects inside Peck Academy

Видео The Best AI Instructional Design Portfolio Project for 2026 канала Devlin Peck