About:
professional
meets
personal
Contact Info
Sommer Leigh Riley
email: sommerleighriley@gmail.com
Instagram: /creativesunshinestudio
LinkedIn: /sommerleighriley
- Ideation
- Input
- Maximizer
- Strategic
- Learner
“Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses — especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
Who I am
Hi, my name is Sommer and I am an instructional designer with a specialty in elearning design and development. I primarily use Articulate 360 - Storyline and Rise, but I’m experienced with many different programs. I’ve been in training for more than 14 years now.
I have earned a Masters of Science in Education in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Linguistics and a minor in Communications from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
I have worn a lot of hats on my instructional design journey. I'm an innovator, project manager, learning management system administrator, and learning theorist. I'm a writer, artist, teacher, public speaker, design hero, technology wizard, and out-of-the-box thinker. But most of all, I am always a learner.
When I’m not working, I'm also a reader, artist, traveler, and coffee addict. I live near San Diego, CA with my husband and cats where I spend a lot of time on the beach. At 44 years old in 2024, I’m currently learning to roller skate for the first time and will learn to scuba dive later this year!
Learning Experience Designer
I believe in the power of visual design and interaction to connect learners to content and theory.
I believe that adult learning isn't just a list of theories applied liberally to a problem. That’s how you make a fantastic PB&J sandwich, not a confident adult! Learning should be an experience, immersive and interactive, where theory meets self-directed discovery, graphic design, animation, marketing, games, and play.
That's why I don't just study learning theories and trends.
I also study things like game design, advertising, web design, social media, comic books, viral marketing campaigns, project management, and software development. Modern instructional design is ever-changing; spiderwebbing out in every direction as fast as accessibility and technology can grow. We have to adapt to that level of flexibility and personal growth. We have to learn to keep up with our learners.
I am inspired to create and empower. Learning is everywhere. And it's awesome.
Ten Random Things about me
1. I live in Carlsbad, CA and moved here from the Midwest.
2. Street art is my favorite kind of art.
3. I keep a bucket list of things to learn and I’m always working on something from the list. In the last couple of years I’ve taken lessons in: kayaking, riding a motorcycle, painting, shooting, playing the violin, yoga, Spanish, bird watching, and outdoor photography.
4. Proudest personal accomplishment: Losing 120lbs, keeping it off, and still losing!
5. My favorite celebrity meetings: Margaret Atwood & Barack Obama.
6. I read about 100 books a year, a mixture of fiction and non-fiction and I’m on GoodReads.
7. I collect unique vintage objects from as early as the mid-1800s, but mostly from the 1920s and 1950s.
8. I started my own freelancing business when I turned 40.
9. I enjoy true crime podcasts.
10. I love to travel. There's too much world and not enough time. If only professional explorer was a viable career choice.
