Introduction to Graduate Admissions at Stanford
Animated explainer video | Vyond
Project Brief
Graduate admissions at Stanford can feel complex—multiple systems, roles, and processes all working behind the scenes. This video was designed to simplify that experience and provide a clear, engaging introduction for staff new to graduate admissions.
Using animated storytelling, the video breaks down key concepts, roles, and workflows into an approachable, easy-to-understand format.
Audience: University staff and faculty working with student records and graduate admissions processes
Responsibilities: Led end-to-end design and development, including instructional design, content strategy, visual design, evaluation, and close collaboration with subject matter experts
Tools Used: Vyond, Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Google Workspace, STARS LMS
What It Looks Like
The Challenge
Graduate admissions is a complex ecosystem spanning multiple systems and stakeholders. New staff often lacked a clear “big picture,” leading to confusion and longer ramp-up time.
The Approach
Applied a blend of ADDIE and SAM (Successive Approximation Model) to balance structured design with iterative development—allowing for early feedback, rapid prototyping, and continuous refinement throughout the project
I designed a story-driven explainer that prioritizes clarity over complexity—helping learners understand how everything connects before diving into process details.
Structured around a narrative arc to build context first
Used animation (Vyond) to visualize abstract systems
Applied plain language + chunking to reduce cognitive load
The Solution
A short, animated video that:
Introduces key roles, systems, and workflows
Establishes a shared mental model for new staff
Serves as a foundation for deeper, task-based training
Outcomes
Evaluated effectiveness through a combination of LMS analytics and qualitative feedback collected in post-training survey and three months post-launch focus group.
Improved onboarding clarity, with 95% of staff reporting increased confidence in understanding the graduate admissions landscape
Reduced time to foundational understanding for new staff, based on manager and learner feedback
Increased engagement, with strong completion rates and sustained viewing through the full video
Evaluation Methods:
Analyzed STARS LMS metrics (completion rates, engagement data)
Conducted focus groups with staff three months post-launch to gather insights on clarity, usability, and real-world application
Synthesized feedback to identify opportunities for iteration and expansion into deeper, role-specific content
My Role
Instructional Designer, Scriptwriter, Storyboarder, and Video Creator
Led end-to-end development in collaboration with subject matter experts