Why Imagination is an Instructional Designer’s Superpower in the Age of Abundance

Lately, I’ve been feeling it, and I know many of you have too: the sheer overwhelm. We’re living in a time where knowledge, in every conceivable form—images, text, audio—is not just abundant, it’s practically gushing from a firehose. Tools like Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude offer an endless stream of information, processes, and workflows. While incredibly powerful, it’s easy to feel a sense of “AI burnout” as we try to keep pace with it all.

This experience has led me to a fundamental question: What’s the core thing we, as instructional designers, need to hold onto? How do we maintain our sanity, leverage these incredible tools effectively, and avoid being completely swamped?

One idea that’s really resonated with me recently came from some YouTube videos, one of which boldly declared we are in the “age of imagination.” This struck a chord because as our tools become increasingly sophisticated at manipulating and presenting knowledge, it’s our own human imagination that truly dictates what we can create. It can either be our greatest ally or our biggest hurdle.

There’s a powerful statement that echoes this sentiment: “Nothing that we have in this world was not first imagined.” Think about that for a moment. Every innovation, every solution, every piece of art or technology began as a flicker in someone’s mind. This highlights a profound truth for us: our ability to imagine, and then to apply creative thinking and techniques to bring those imaginings to life, is uniquely human and absolutely essential.

While we now have more tools than ever to execute our ideas, the real frontier isn’t just in using these tools to generate content. It’s in cultivating the very wellspring of those ideas—our imagination. Yes, AI can brainstorm with us, offering a multitude of starting points. But it’s our imagination that takes those seeds and envisions how they might blossom in the real world, imagining new scenarios, new possibilities, and truly novel experiences.

This is where we bring the human back into our work, ensuring that what we create has meaning and that we feel fulfilled, rather than just being a button-pusher for an algorithm.

Fueling Your Inner Vision: Tools and Techniques for a Richer Imagination

So, if imagination is our superpower, how do we actively develop and enhance it? My interest lies not just in technical tools, but in the broader spectrum of techniques, routines, and practices that can help us cultivate this vital capacity.

Here are some approaches to consider:

• Mindfulness and Observation: Slowing down and truly observing the world around us can spark new connections. Taking time for walks, engaging with different art forms, or simply paying closer attention to everyday interactions can feed our imaginative well.
• Structured Brainstorming (with a twist): While AI can kickstart ideas, try structured brainstorming techniques like SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) or “six thinking hats” with a deliberate focus on pushing beyond the obvious. Then, use your imagination to visualize the impact of those ideas.
• Empathy Exercises: As instructional designers, understanding our learners is paramount. Engage in deep empathy exercises – truly stepping into their shoes, imagining their challenges, their aspirations, and their learning environments. This isn’t just about data; it’s about imaginative connection.
• Storytelling and Scenario Building: Practice crafting narratives around your instructional challenges. How would a learner navigate a particular problem? What unexpected twists could arise? This helps you imagine the lived experience of your designs.
• “What If” Thinking: Regularly ask “what if?” questions. What if learning wasn’t confined to a screen? What if a concept could be taught through a game, a physical experience, or a collaborative art project? This pushes the boundaries of conventional solutions.
• Cross-Pollination of Ideas: Deliberately seek out inspiration from fields entirely unrelated to instructional design. How do architects design spaces? How do musicians compose? How do chefs create new dishes? Often, the most innovative ideas come from unexpected juxtapositions.
• Journaling and Free Association: Dedicate time to simply writing down whatever comes to mind, without judgment. This can unlock subconscious connections and ideas that might otherwise remain hidden.
• Play and Experimentation: Embrace a playful mindset. Don’t be afraid to experiment with wild, seemingly impractical ideas. Sometimes, the most outlandish concepts can lead to truly groundbreaking solutions.

In this age of abundant knowledge, our unique human ability to imagine is not just a soft skill; it’s our most important strategic advantage. By actively nurturing and developing our imaginations, we can ensure our work as instructional designers remains deeply human, impactful, and profoundly fulfilling. Let’s bring the magic back into our designs!