From a field developed out of the need to train military personnel at scale to its current role in enabling virtual learning and training experiences, instructional design has developed into a complex, multifaceted discipline.

The modern instructional design process goes by many names (e.g., learning experience design, learning engineering, training and development, organizational development) and continues to adapt with continual changes in society and skill development needs. From mobile to remote learning as well as online and traditional classrooms, instructional designers are faced with meeting the learner where they are to design authentic and engaging learning experiences. Additionally, learning development needs have expanded outside of formal learning into professional development, on the job training, and continuous learning.