The biggest skill gap I see for new instructional designers is tech—figuring out which software is actually worth learning (and not getting overwhelmed by the endless tool list). In this video, I break down the top 3 tools I think you should focus on in 2025 so you can build real portfolio projects and match what hiring managers are looking for. First, I walk through Articulate Storyline 360, because it’s still the most in-demand tool in the industry for building interactive eLearning. I show how it’s similar to PowerPoint, but where you really level up is with triggers, states, layers, variables, and the timeline. Second, I cover ChatGPT—because we’re in the age of AI and you can’t ignore it anymore. I share how I use projects to organize work, how to improve prompts (including the prompt optimizer), and why custom GPTs are powerful for both workflows and AI portfolio projects. Third, I recommend eLearning (the asset library + AI suite) so you’re not wasting time trying to create every graphic from scratch. I also give runner-ups like Rise 360, Vyond, Figma, video editors, LMS practice, and Illustrator—plus my honest reminder: don’t stress about learning everything. Go far with Storyline first, then stack supporting skills as you go.