Learning Plan
Overall Objective
The overall objective of this learning placement is to develop my professional skills in content creation, digital marketing, and production tools.
By following a structured learning approach, I will aim to become fully autonomous in delivering creative, high-quality work across client projects and internal communication campaigns.
1. Design & Visuals
Canva
I plan to attend Trainer Christine Watson’s Canva workshops to strengthen my design skills and develop a more strategic understanding of visual communication.
Through these sessions, I will learn how to build strong visual identities, master design composition, and apply consistency across all brand materials. I will also learn about Canva functionality and productivity hacks for PRO, paying users, such as Brand Kit, Bulk create and ready made templates and image frames.
I will practise by creating and resizing visuals for social media, presentations, and digital campaigns.
Objective: To master digital formats and develop creative direction skills suitable for professional marketing contexts.
Skills to gain: Layout composition, visual hierarchy, colour and typography control, and brand storytelling.
Useful resource: Canva Design School
GIPHY
I will learn how to create GIFs and animated stickers to enhance engagement across social media platforms.
This will include understanding basic animation principles, optimising file formats, and maintaining brand consistency in motion design.
Objective: To produce simple, branded animated content that supports audience interaction and digital visibility.
Skills to gain: Motion design, creative adaptation, and optimisation for digital platforms.
Useful resource: GIPHY Create
2. Video & Photo
DJI / Timelapse / iPhone Shorts
I will learn how to capture and edit video and photo content using both professional and mobile tools, including DJI devices and iPhones.
This will involve exploring framing, timelapse creation, and quick editing techniques suitable for social media use.
Objective: To understand the fundamentals of videography, including composition, lighting, and editing for storytelling.
Skills to gain: Stabilisation, framing, exposure control, and efficient editing workflows.
Useful resources:
Apple Courses – Photography & Videography
I will take part in Apple’s Today at Apple in person sessions available in their Belfast store. The sessions focused on photography and videography are the most relevant to my work.
These courses will help me deepen my understanding of visual storytelling, natural lighting, and composition techniques for both personal and professional projects.
Objective: To develop strong visual literacy and technical confidence in image production.
Skills to gain: Framing, lighting management, creative direction, and shot planning.
Useful resource: Today at Apple – Photo and Video Sessions
3. Digital Marketing & Social Media
Meta Business Suite
I will learn how to use Meta Business Suite to plan, schedule, and analyse social media content across multiple platforms.
This will include understanding content strategy, audience insights, and performance analytics.
Objective: To manage digital communication effectively and optimise reach through scheduled campaigns.
Skills to gain: Content scheduling, insights analysis, and campaign reporting.
Useful resource: Meta Business Suite Guide
Google Business Profile / Online Reputation Management
I will learn how to update and manage Google Business Profiles by adding relevant products, responding to reviews, and maintaining accurate information.
This will provide a deeper understanding of how online reputation influences brand trust and visibility.
Objective: To master profile optimisation and reputation management through strategic, consistent engagement.
Skills to gain: SEO principles, tone of voice management, and digital brand maintenance.
Useful resource: Google Business Profile Help Centre
Mailchimp / Email Marketing
I will explore Mailchimp to understand how to create and manage email marketing campaigns.
This will involve designing newsletters and analysing campaign performance to improve communication results.
Objective: To apply best practices in email marketing and use analytics to measure audience engagement.
Skills to gain: Email campaign design, CTA (call to action) optimisation, and performance tracking.
Useful resource: Mailchimp Email Marketing Guide
4. Web & Content
TrainingMatchmaker.com
I will learn how to conduct a content audit by identifying missing trainers, learning opportunities, and content for TrainingMatchmaker.com.
This will help me understand how to evaluate and improve a website’s information structure and user experience.
Objective: To gain insight into aggregrator platform management and web content organisation.
Skills to gain: CMS (content management system) navigation, UX (user experience) auditing, and structured content planning.
Useful resource: Nielsen Norman Group – Web Content Audit Guide
WatsonsMarketing.com / Customer Service Week
I will work on reviewing and repurposing existing blog posts and social media content to prepare for campaigns such as National Customer Service Week 2025 (UK).
This will involve aligning written and visual content with the official themes for each day.
I will also integrate new media assets (such as photographs and hyperlinks) into updated articles before publication.
Objective: To strengthen my editorial and strategic communication skills for campaign planning.
Skills to gain: Content adaptation, editorial planning, and brand storytelling.
Useful resource: Institute of Customer Service – NCSW 2025
5. Culture & English
Northern Ireland Working Culture
I will study and observe workplace culture in Northern Ireland to better understand communication styles, meeting etiquette, and collaboration methods.
This will help me adapt to different professional environments and improve teamwork in a cross-cultural setting.
Objective: To develop cultural awareness and effective workplace communication.
Skills to gain: Adaptability, professional etiquette, english communication – verbal and non-verbal and intercultural collaboration.
Useful resource: nidirect – Working in Northern Ireland
English
I will continue improving my English communication skills through daily practice, document writing, and active participation in meetings.
This will include expanding my vocabulary for professional contexts and refining the tone of my written communication.
Objective: To enhance my professional writing and spoken English for workplace use.
Skills to gain: Clear and accurate written expression, business vocabulary, and presentation confidence.
Useful resource: BBC Learning English – Business Section
Credit: ChatGPT utilisation to draft blog content based on my prompt in English. My host and Trainer has tasked me to create my next blog without using AI.
