Overview

As part of my TECM 5191 coursework, I created a screen-casting tutorial video titled “Quick Start Guide to Discord: Creating a Server and Adding Friends.” This project was an opportunity to develop digital literacy in video help content and explore minimalist video production techniques. I targeted my video toward teen beginners who may be unfamiliar with Discord, aiming to help them get started quickly with clear, concise instructions.

Context

• Course: Digital Literacies in Technical Comumunication
• Project Type: Individual
• Time Frame: Fall 2023
• Tools Used: Camtasia (recording & editing), Microsoft Word (script/storyboard)
• Audience: Teen beginners
• Length of video: ~2 minutes (120-150 seconds)
• Resolution: 1080p

Task

The assignment focused on building a short instructional video that demonstrates digital literacy in video production and technical instruction. I had to:

• Identify a common task that could benefit from a tutorial
• Plan the video using a structured storyboard and script
• Record, narrate, and edit the tutorial using best practices in minimalism and usability
• Ensure that my video provided clear value to the intended audience while minimizing visual and cognitive distractions

I chose Discord as the focus because it’s a widely used tool among younger audiences, but its interface can be confusing to new users.

Approach

My approach centered on minimalism in post-production and user-centered communication. I focused on clear narration, intuitive visuals, and minimal visual effects so users could follow the tutorial without unnecessary distractions.

Key techniques I applied:

• Zoom and pan animations: These helped viewers focus on key interface elements in the large Discord window.
• Bar wipe transitions: I used simple transitions to signify major shifts in the instructional flow.

For the content itself, I:

• Followed a script written specifically for a teen audience, using friendly and approachable language.
• Included both task instructions (e.g., how to create a server) and conceptual orientation (e.g., explaining the purpose of text vs. voice channels).
• Capped the video at ~2 minutes to maintain attention and match expectations for short, digestible help content.

I also applied self-regulated learning strategies—setting daily editing goals, revising the script iteratively, and testing my instructions with others to ensure clarity. The image below is a snapshot of what my script looks like. View the full script at the end of this page.

Results

The final video successfully:

• Guided viewers through downloading Discord, creating a server, and adding friends in a step-by-step format
• Applied minimalist principles to enhance usability and comprehension
• Met all course objectives for visual design, narration quality, and technical instruction

Personally I grew in several areas. I:

• Became more confident in using screen recording and editing tools
• Learned how to plan and produce instructional media with a clear audience focus
• Understood the power of minimalism—not just in writing, but in video—to reduce distractions and help users recover from mistakes
• Added a polished artifact to my portfolio that demonstrates my digital literacy and instructional design skills

This project challenged me to think like both a teacher and a designer, which has sharpened how I approach multimedia communication moving forward.

Discord Quick Start Video

Click below to watch my Quick Start Guide to Discord!