Meet Philip Joseph Santos—a rising instructional designer who starts his mornings at 6 a.m. on a remote Pacific island, driven by purpose and passion to create real-world learning solutions like conflict resolution training."

Tuning in from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, Philip is a standout student in Cohort 19 of IDOL Academy—and a perfect example of how passion, purpose, and practical application collide inside the program.

Building Bridges, Not Just Courses

For his IDOL internship project, Philip partnered with the Rotaract Club of Saipan, a community-focused organization of young adult volunteers dedicated to humanitarian and service-based efforts.
After conducting a thorough needs analysis, Philip discovered a pressing issue: unresolved conflict among volunteers. The result? Poor collaboration, fractured relationships, and rising attrition.
So, what did Philip do? He built a full eLearning course in Articulate Storyline focused on conflict resolution—complete with custom visuals, video content created in Vyond, and instructor-led materials designed in Canva using the organization’s exact brand colors.
And yes—he did it all while working full-time and navigating a significant time zone gap.

A Strategic Skillset, Not Just “Course Creation”

Philip didn’t just learn how to use tech tools. He applied them strategically. He:

• Used Storyline to deliver interactive, learner-driven content
• Leveraged Vyond for accessible, engaging video scenarios
• Designed beautifully branded ILT materials using Canva
• Responded to real-time feedback from both IDOL coaches and his client
• Resubmitted and refined his work with a focus on impact, not just completion

His eLearning assets weren’t just good—they earned him recognition as an IDOL Star Student.

Why He Chose IDOL Academy

Philip didn’t stumble upon the program by chance. With a bachelor’s degree in Human Capital Development, his foundation in learning and organizational development was already strong. But he knew the future of training was digital—and asynchronous.
“I did a lot of research,” he said. “What mattered most to me were the testimonials and the results.”
After a call with the IDOL admissions team, he was in. And according to Philip? “It’s been well worth it.”

What Helped Him Thrive

Despite juggling work, time zone challenges, and course deadlines, Philip cites two major drivers of his momentum:

1. Actionable feedback from IDOL coaches
   “They acknowledge your effort and give really detailed suggestions. Even when you don’t pass the first time, they make sure you know how to improve.”
2. Supportive community
   “Even with delays from being across the world, I always felt like someone was there to help—whether it was a coach or a peer in my cohort.”
   

The Bigger Picture

What sets Philip apart isn’t just his polished Storyline modules or clean Canva slides. It’s his mindset:
He didn’t build a portfolio to check a box.
He built a solution to fix a problem.
And that’s the kind of thinking the instructional design field needs more of.

Philip’s story is a reminder that no matter where you are—geographically or professionally—you can make a real impact when you pair strategy with support.
“I think now, more and more organizations are looking for on-demand courses and eLearning… It’s important to upskill.”
We couldn’t agree more.

Inspired by Philip’s story?

Connect with Philip on LinkedIn

You can start your own journey at IDOL Academy and go from wherever-you-are to wherever-you-want-to-be—just like he did.