Overview
A short instructional video to guide university HR staff through calculating the hourly and annualized pay rates needed when submitting faculty job offers. The video simplifies the process with step-by-step visuals and clear examples to ensure accuracy and consistency. Two versions of this video were created during the draft phase. A draft with an AI avatar is below.
My Responsibilites
I led the design, scripting, and production this instructional video.
Tools Used
- Powtoons
Synthesia
Snag it
Camtasia
Problem
University HR staff needed to accurately calculate and input hourly and annualized pay rates when submitting faculty job offers, but the existing process relied on dense text instructions. This led to frequent confusion, inconsistent data entry, and extra back-and-forth with the HR office for corrections.
Solution
I proposed a short, visually-driven instructional video that would walk HR staff through the calculation steps using real examples. The video served as a just-in-time resource embedded in the training module to improve clarity, reduce errors, and increase efficiency.
Design and Development
To begin, I collaborated with the HR team to fully understand the calculation steps and common points of confusion. I then scripted a concise walkthrough using real-world examples and designed the visuals to support clarity at each step. Using Camtasia, I recorded and edited the video with visual callouts, voiceover, and animated transitions to emphasize key formulas. I embedded the final video into a Rise 360 module, ensuring it was accessible, branded appropriately, and easy for HR staff to reference as a just-in-time resource.
Takeaways
This project demonstrated the power of visual storytelling in simplifying procedural tasks. By replacing static instructions with a short, engaging video, HR staff reported fewer submission errors and greater confidence in calculating and entering pay rates. It also reinforced the value of using quick, focused media to drive efficiency and consistency across departments.