Last week, we took a family trip to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour. It was our second time, and even though we knew what to expect, we were still utterly blown away by what we saw.
The sets, the props, the effects, the costumes, and the make-up were so detailed, so well thought out, so robust that, combined with an engaging story, it was almost impossible to make a bad film.
We marvelled at the majesty of Gringotts Bank. We were stunned by the fact that every hair on the goblin masks was sewn in individually, even for background actors. We were delighted by the details in the props and the fact that so many of the effects, like Professor Mooney’s self-packing suitcase, were achieved mechanically, NOT added in post-production. The scale of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts Station, and even a recreated Privet Drive was also astounding, especially on our first visit.
So, what does this have to do with training design?
Pretty much everything!
Attention to Detail Makes Magic Real
The attention to detail in these elements made the film so much more real. It created an immersive experience for the cast and audience alike. In the same way, attention to detail in training design makes learning experiences more engaging and effective for participants. Just as actors perform better with realistic sets, learners engage better with well-designed training materials.
The Power of Thoughtful Design in Training
Perhaps that’s why I’ve always enjoyed training design. It’s about creating everything the facilitator (actor) needs to bring the content (story) to life. Bespoke examples, cleverly designed case studies, and carefully selected exercises are not just “nice to haves”; they are critical to creating a meaningful learning experience. These elements make the training real – transforming it into more than just an interesting session, but a truly impactful learning experience.
Quality Takes Time—Invest in Every Stage
But this quality takes time. Each Goblin mask in the film took 3 days to make. Gringotts Bank took months to construct. Every set and major prop went through multiple stages: from the initial concept to technical drawings, models, prototypes, and full builds.
They could have cut corners, but that might have resulted in goblins looking like people in cheap masks, which would have distracted from the actors’ performances. Likewise, building Gringotts quickly and cheaply may have worked until a lighting technician leaned against a pillar, causing the whole thing to come crashing down.
Warner Brothers understood the importance of doing things right. To ensure box office (and financial) success, they invested in getting things done properly at every stage.
Conclusion: Invest in Training Design for Success
If you want your learning and development initiatives to be effective, you need to invest in every stage too—especially the research and design phase. It’s something we discussed at a recent Lunch n Learn Session where we explored how to raise the value of L&D (especially design and development). Just as the Harry Potter films relied on meticulous design and craftsmanship, your training programmes depend on the time and effort spent in the design process to ensure they resonate and make an impact.
Training design, much like film production, is where the magic truly happens.