The Visual Lounge

Stephanie Warnoff, a TechSmith market researcher who studies video viewers and AI avatars, discusses recent research on presenter styles in instructional video. Short clips compare human presenters, AI avatars, and alternatives. Listeners hear when avatars work well, when they do not, and practical tips for trying avatars in learning content.

How much does audio really affect learning? And does it matter whether that voice is human or AI?In this episode, Matt sits down with Stephanie Warnoff, Senior Market Researcher at TechSmith, to walk through new research that looks at how audio quality and AI narration influence learning outcomes, perceived professionalism, and retention in instructional video.The study, conducted by TechSmith, was built around a simple experiment. Participants watched the same 45-second how-to video, with the visuals kept the same each time. The only variable was the audio. Viewers heard one of four versions: high-quality human narration, low-quality human narration, high-quality AI narration, and low-quality AI narration. What the team found was...surprising.Throughout the conversation, Matt and Stephanie explore what the results mean for teams creating training and instructional content, especially as AI tools become easier to access.This episode is part 1 of a two-part research series. Stay tuned for episode 2, where Matt and Stephanie take a closer look at the second half of the study, focusing on AI avatars, and how different avatar styles compare with human presenters in real learning contexts.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:19 Intro01:19 - 02:53 Stephanie's background02:53 - 04:59 TechSmith’s research on AI voices04:59 - 06:14 The four audio versions used during the study and how the experiment was structured06:14 - 07:47 What surprised Stephanie about the AI voices07:47 - 10:58 Is there a need for disclosure with AI?10:58 - 15:37 Signals for high quality voices15:37 - 18:04 Why poor audio quality performed better than high audio quality18:04 - 20:34 Other considerations for effectiveness of learning through AI20:34 - 23:08 Future research23:08 - 26:22 Closing thoughts26:22 - 27:01 Stephanie's final take27:01 - 28:00 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Stephanie: research@techsmith.comLearn more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/

Have you ever struggled to get the information you need from a subject matter expert? Or maybe you're the expert (SME), and you're not quite sure what the instructional designer actually wants from you?In this episode, host Matt Pierce explores what subject matter experts actually need from instructional designers (IDs) to do their best work. Drawing from his experience on both sides of the dynamic, Matt breaks down seven key principles for building a strong SME-ID partnership that leads to better learning outcomes.From being specific with requests and setting clear boundaries, to giving early feedback and closing the loop on how information gets used, Matt offers practical guidance for creating a smoother, more productive working relationship.Matt also explores how video can strengthen communication between SMEs and IDs, whether that's recording verbal feedback, providing quick status updates, or simply adding a personal touch that helps you stand out in a busy SME's inbox.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:26 Introduction and the SME-ID dynamic01:26 - 03:25 Respecting SME time and being specific with requests03:25 - 05:57 Setting clear guardrails and context before asking for content05:57 - 08:11 Helping SMEs remember what it's like to be a beginner08:11 - 09:57 The importance of early, actionable feedback09:57 - 12:18 Pushing back when expertise doesn't serve the learner12:18 - 14:06 Giving SMEs something to react to rather than starting from nothing14:06 - 18:22 Closing the loop and using video to strengthen communication18:22 - 21:01 Matt’s final take and outroImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/Audiate: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/audiate/

Change is emotional. Even when the strategy is solid, people still feel uncertain, skeptical, or overwhelmed, especially when the vision feels huge and the path feels unclear.In this revisited episode of The Visual Lounge (originally Episode 168), Matt sits down with Jake Gittleson, who leads McKinsey’s Learning Research and Innovation Lab. Jake shares why storytelling is one of the most effective tools L&D teams have for supporting change inside organisations.Instead of trying to persuade people in one big moment, Jake explains why change stories should be shared over time, through small experiments, human insights, and incremental updates that meet people where they are. He also breaks down practical ways to gather stories through interviews, outline your narrative, and use video and audio to create connection, without needing expensive gear or a polished production setup.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:21 Introduction01:21 - 02:03 Jake’s background02:03 - 04:14 How Jake started using audio and video04:14 - 07:01 What does a successful change look like07:01 - 08:45 Creativity as a tip for using video at work08.45 - 11:55 Jake’s role and expertise in change and innovation11:55 - 15:11 Why human connection matters in change15:11 - 18:13 Operationalizing storytelling without big budgets18:13 - 21:13 Building the right stories21:13 - 27:10 Visual approaches to telling stories27:10 - 30:21 Capturing real voices30:21 - 39:51 Speed round39:51 - 40:46 Jake’s final take40:46 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-gittleson/Check out The Learning Geeks podcast: https://www.learninggeekspod.com/Listen to Jake’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge in episode 168: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ee9c311f-7f51-4a6c-a749-c2d7090a1274

As the new year starts, it’s the perfect time to reflect (and look forward) on how we create and communicate learning content.In this special episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt is joined by some TechSmith team members (or TechSmithies!) who share their favourite tips, shortcuts, and features in Snagit and Camtasia. These are real workflows used every day to support creators, teams, and organizations.From speeding up video editing with simple keyboard shortcuts, to collaborating without meetings, to building consistency across projects, this episode is packed with practical insider tips from our TechSmithies that you can start using right away.It’s also a moment to say thank you to The Visual Lounge community for tuning in, sharing feedback, and being part of the conversation throughout the year.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:39 Intro 00:39 - 01:31 Matt’s most used features in Camtasia 01:31 - 02:55 A look back on a great year02:55 - 03:20 Happy Holidays from Cameron, Senior Customer Care Specialist at TechSmith03:20 - 05:41 Collaboration workflow in Camtasia Online05:41 - 08:20 How presets in SnagIt make your life easier08:20 - 08:48 Capturing text directly with Snagit08:48 - 10:51 Using placeholders in Camtasia10:51 Looking forward to the year aheadImportant links and mentions:Explore TechSmith: https://www.techsmith.com/ Learn more about Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/ Learn more about Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ Explore Camtasia AI: https://camtasia.ai/

AI is reshaping learning and development faster than any of us expected. So how do we adapt? And what skills will matter most as tools, workflows and expectations keep changing in the workplace?In this episode, Matt speaks with Josh Cavalier, an AI and L&D expert with more than two decades of experience helping organizations modernize the way they design learning. Josh is also the author of Applying AI in Learning and Development, a practical guide for teams looking to build confidence, capability and structure around AI-powered work.Josh shares real-world insights on handling rapid change inside organizations, understanding how AI affects creative and instructional output, and building the skills to keep up. He explores how the role of L&D is shifting, why integrity matters more than ever, and what it looks like to create a personal AI training plan for 2026.You'll also hear how to identify your 'sources of truth' so you can keep up with changes in your industry and in AI without getting overwhelmed, plus why having access to multiple AI models can dramatically improve the quality of your work.Learning points from the episode include:00:55 – 02:17 Introduction to Josh’s book02:17 – 05:37 How do we apply AI to the jobs that we do?05:37 – 08:13 How do we keep up and use AI in the day-to-day?08:13 – 13:41 Why adaptability is paramount with AI13:41 – 17:49 How AI has raised the bar in work17:49 – 19:39 AI as an enabler for creativity19:39 – 25:08 Maintaining your integrity25:08 – 28:48 Avatars vs humans in video28:48 – 30:30 The HUMAN framework30:30 – 34:25 Faster? Or faster and better?34:25 – 37:08 Josh’s final takeImportant links and mentions:Find Josh’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Applying-Learning-Development-Platforms-PerformanceVisit Josh’s website: https://www.joshcavalier.com/Connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcavalier/Learn more about The HUMAN framework: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/human-framework-for-ai-training-videos/

Ever clicked play on a learning video that looks polished and professional, only to finish it and think, “Wait, what did I just learn?”  In this episode, we’re revisiting a conversation with Patti Shank, an internationally recognized learning designer, researcher, and author who has spent years studying how people really take in information. Patti knows that effective learning isn’t about the video itself, it’s about how the viewer processes it. She unpacks the hidden reasons instructional videos fall short, why cognitive overload is more common than we think, and how simple design choices can make or break viewer understanding. You’ll hear Patti explain the critical role of learner control, the pitfalls of combining text, visuals, and narration, and why background music (even the relaxed kind) can silently derail understanding. Plus, she shares practical ways to design video, so it supports effective thinking, processing, and learning. Learning points from the episode include:  00:00 - 01:12 Introduction 01:12 - 01:59 The difference between reading and listening 01:59 - 02:57 The importance of learner control 02:57 - 04:28 Why background music usually hurts learning 04:28 - 05:07 Why video is powerful when designed well 05:07 - Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Patti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattishank  Check out Patti’s website: https://www.pattishank.com/  Listen to Patti’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge in episode 155: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/research-learning-from-videos  

Imagine logging in next month to find your bill for the AI tool you use has doubled, or that you've run out of credits halfway through a critical project.The explosion of AI video tools has brought incredible capabilities to content creators, but alongside these innovations comes a new challenge: complex pricing models that make it difficult to budget, explain costs to your boss, or know if you're getting sustainable value from your tools.Joining us in this episode is Daniel Foster, Director of Monetization at TechSmith, who studies the evolution of software pricing and has been closely watching how AI tools are being packaged and priced.Daniel shares practical advice for evaluating AI tools beyond just their features, looking at the "whole product" including support, documentation, and pricing sustainability. He explains how to navigate credit-based systems, and why bundled solutions might save you both money and headaches.Learning points from the episode include:00:38 - 01:52 Introduction to Daniel01:52 - 03:06 Daniel's tip for using images and video in work03:06 - 05:05 Why pricing decisions matter as much as features05:05 - 07:51 Current AI pricing models emerging in the market07:51 - 10:56 The complexity of credit-based systems10:56 - 13:47 Alternatives and features to look for in pricing13:47 - 19:54 Evaluating all-in-one vs. specialized tools19:54 - 22:29 Support and documentation considerations22:29 - 23:23 The most popular AI feature: Voice generation23:23 - 27:56 Speed round questions27:56 - 28:53 Daniel's final take28:53 - 30:14 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielfoster/Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

What happens when everyone can create AI videos with just a text prompt?We’re entering the “watch bait era” where AI-generated short clips may start dominating social media feeds, making it harder to distinguish between AI content, misinformation, and reality.The technology is improving but still has real limitations. While AI avatars and lip-sync are getting better, we’re still dealing with 8-second clip restrictions, consistency issues (your character might lose their glasses between scenes), and the ongoing challenge of writing effective prompts.Joining us is Myra Roldan, Founder and Chief AI Officer at UnDesto AI, who’s been working in the AI space for 12 years. She shares practical insights on what AI video can actually do today, why you need authorization before using these tools with company data, and why storyboarding remains essential.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 02:45 Introduction to Myra Roldan02:45 - 03:41 12 years in AI: pushing limits and finding considerations03:41 - 05:18 Current state: better avatars, but still limited05:18 - 06:58 Understanding the "watch bait era"06:58 - 08:52 Corporate AI use: authorization and strategy first08:52 - 10:11 Cheap, fast or good, pick two10:11 - 12:38 Consistency challenges with AI characters12:38 - 16:00 Writing effective short prompts and accepting waste16:00 - 17:05 Generation costs and platform caps17:05 - 18:08 The "drunk intern" analogy18:08 - 20:14 Moving from experimentation to everyday use20:14 - 23:45 Why video editing skills still matter23:45 - 29:12 Speed round questions29:12 - 29:19 Myra's final take29:19 - 31:04 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Myra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myraroldan/Find out more about UnDesto AI: https://intelligence.undesto.ai/Watch Hey It’s Myra on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learnwithmyraCamtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/  

We've all sat through presentations that feel like a performance, polished, professional, but somehow disconnected. The speaker hits every point perfectly, yet we walk away feeling nothing. So, what's missing?For this episode, we're revisiting a conversation with Leslie Chamberlain, Head of Customer Success at Gibbs Smith Education. Leslie knows that great presentations aren't about perfection, they're about connection.She shares why infusing your personality into presentations matters more than hitting every bullet point, and reveals the secret to keeping audiences engaged through authentic delivery.You'll hear Leslie's approach to making presentations "sense-rich," her take on scripting versus speaking naturally, and practical tips for condensing information without losing impact. Plus, she reveals why being authentic beats being polished every time.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 02:49 Introduction02:49 - 05:13 How Leslie became involved in customer success05:13 - 06:49 Making learning presentations successful06:49 - 09:04 Leslie's tip for using videos and images in presentations09:04 - 10:43 Brand vs individual in your presentations10:43 - 16:14 The first steps towards a great presentation16:14 - 19:06 Making your ideas sense-rich19:06 - 24:54 Where people get stuck making presentations24:54 - 26:47 Should you script presentations?26:47 - 31:40 How to condense information and keep things short31:40 - 35:57 Hear Leslie's Speed Round answers35:57 - 36:36 Leslie's final take36:36 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-chamberlain-a3475121/Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/