Cody Murray

Why this persona fits the audience

Creates e-learning modules and internal training decks for a 2-person learning team at a corporate training firm in London. Uses PowerPoint, Articulate, and a shared icon library to turn process steps and scenarios into visuals for slide-based courses.

• Age: 45
• Location: London, UK
• Occupation: Instructional designer
• Income: £58k
• Education: MA in Education Design
• Company size: Mid-sized corporate training firm (approx. 200 employees)
• Years in role: 12

“The real challenge isn't just presenting information; it's ensuring it actually lands and makes a difference for the learner.”

Cody Murray has dedicated over a decade to the field of instructional design, carving out a niche in creating effective e-learning and corporate training materials. His journey began with a Master's degree in Education Design, where he developed a strong theoretical foundation in learning principles and pedagogy. He then joined his current firm, a mid-sized corporate training consultancy in London, where he has steadily progressed to become a senior member of the two-person learning team. His role is defined by the practical application of his expertise, transforming dense process documentation and abstract behavioural concepts into engaging, visually-driven slide-based courses. Cody's primary tools are PowerPoint, which he uses for structuring content and creating foundational visuals, and Articulate Storyline, for building interactive elements and complex e-learning modules. He relies heavily on a shared company icon library to maintain visual consistency and efficiency across projects. Recently, Cody championed the adoption of a new template structure for internal training decks, aiming to streamline the development process and improve learner comprehension. This decision was driven by a desire for greater consistency and a need to reduce the time spent on repetitive formatting tasks. He views his work as a craft, where meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of how people learn are paramount. His income of £58k reflects his experience and specialized skills within the London market, allowing for a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle. He is conscious of his financial future, consistently saving, and views his career progression as a long-term endeavour rather than a race. Cody is deeply committed to the principles of clear communication and accountability in learning design, believing that well-designed training is a critical driver of organizational success.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Cody's day typically begins around 7:00 AM with a quick breakfast and scanning industry news on his tablet. He commutes to the office by 8:30 AM, often listening to a podcast. His workday is a focused block of instructional design: reviewing project briefs, liaising with SMEs via email or brief calls, building out slide content in PowerPoint, and developing interactive scenarios in Articulate Storyline. He takes a short break for lunch, usually a sandwich at his desk while reviewing design feedback. The afternoon might involve a team sync-up or a deep dive into a complex module. He leaves the office around 5:30 PM, heading home for dinner and personal study or relaxation.

Lifestyle

Cody maintains a structured, predictable routine. His evenings are typically spent at home, preparing simple, healthy meals and catching up on industry news or online courses. Weekends involve a mix of quiet pursuits like visiting bookshops or galleries, and occasional meetups with a small circle of close friends. He's financially prudent, saving diligently for future security rather than impulsive purchases, and prioritizes his health with regular walks and a balanced diet. His social interactions are generally calm and focused on meaningful conversation.

Work life

Cody's role involves translating complex corporate processes and behavioural scenarios into digestible e-learning modules and training decks. He works closely with a senior learning specialist and occasionally interfaces with subject matter experts (SMEs) who provide the raw content. The pressure is on to deliver clear, engaging, and accurate training materials on time, often juggling multiple projects simultaneously. His days are spent meticulously crafting slides in PowerPoint, building interactive elements in Articulate Storyline, and ensuring visual consistency using the company's icon library. He values the autonomy his role offers but feels the constraints of a small team and limited resources.

Relationships

Cody maintains a small but strong network of friends, mostly met through university or previous roles, with whom he shares intellectual interests. He has a cordial relationship with his parents, who live in the Midlands, and calls them weekly. His direct manager, the Head of Learning, is a key professional influence, setting project direction and providing feedback. He respects his colleague on the learning team, valuing her experience.

How they decide

Cody is a methodical and research-driven decision-maker. He thoroughly evaluates options, weighing pros and cons against established criteria and past experiences. He seeks out information from trusted sources, often consulting industry forums or technical documentation before committing. He is not easily swayed by trends and prefers solutions that demonstrate clear, practical benefits and long-term reliability.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, using precise language. Avoids slang and overly casual phrasing. His tone is generally calm and professional, occasionally tinged with a dry wit. He tends to articulate his thoughts logically, often prefacing points with phrases like 'From my perspective...' or 'The key consideration here is...'. He is not prone to hyperbole.