William Thompson

About me

I’m a designer who blends storytelling, systems thinking, and pedagogy to create engaging learning experiences. I specialize in instructional design, game-based learning, and interactive media.

I grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and earned my bachelor’s degree in Film and Video Studies from the University of Oklahoma. I've always had a passion for problem-solving and creative endeavors and I intended to channel that drive into media production.

After starting in media production, I shifted focus to instructional design and joined the K20 Center’s Game-Based Learning program. There, I earned my master’s in instructional design and helped develop 14 published titles, several of which were award-winning, that have reached thousands of students worldwide.

In 2017, I founded Absurdist Productions, an independent tabletop game studio. Through Absurdist, I’ve led the design and publication of three board games and four role-playing game books, gaining hands-on experience with every stage of design, production, and publishing.

More recently, with the K20 Center, I’ve designed interactive learning tools like START, an AR campus tour app, and QUEST, a micro-learning app for parents of future college students.

I’m a motivated problem solver who loves finding creative solutions to meaningful challenges, especially where play, learning, and design meet. I feel a genuine sense of accomplishment and pride in my work when I see people truly engage with and learn from the products I create.

Education

M.Ed., Instructional Design and Technology
University of Oklahoma — December 2014
B.A., Film and Video Studies; Minor in Linguistics
University of Oklahoma — December 2005

Skills

Instructional Design: Learning module design, assessment development, task analysis, SCORM/xAPI, adult learning theory, needs analysis, iterative development based on field data

Media Production: Creative, instructional, and technical writing, graphic design, photography, videography, video editing, book layout

Project Management: Team coordination, agile workflows, budgeting, scheduling, stakeholder communication

Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects, XD), Articulate Storyline, Rise, Camtasia, LEARN LMS, Jira, Microsoft Suite, Google Workspace, CMS platforms

Work Experience

Lead Instructional Designer
University of Oklahoma, K20 Center — July 2012–Present

Designed over 20 digital learning experiences used by more than 89,000 students, totaling over 300,000 instructional hours

Earned 10 national awards for instructional design and game-based learning
Led a team of junior designers and coordinated efforts with developers, artists, and QA testers in an agile environment
Wrote instructional content for game-based learning, augmented reality, micro-learning, online courses, and professional development programs
Performed needs assessment, planned evaluations, and aligned materials with instructional standards and learning principles
Maintained detailed design documentation and ensured consistency across projects
Defined the visual and interactive structure of multiple applications
Built test plans; adjusted content based on collected data and user feedback
Presented work at national conferences and co-authored nine publications on game-based learning

Senior Production Designer
Sinclair Broadcasting — February 2008–July 2012

Wrote scripts and directed shoots for TV ads and promotional content

Edited video, mixed audio, and handled color correction for broadcast
Designed graphics and motion assets, including logos and on-screen visuals
Shot stills and video for use in ads, print, and digital media
Worked directly with clients to shape messaging and campaign goals

Freelance Projects

Absurdist Productions: Designed and published commercial board and role-playing games, including Winter Rabbit, PaleoVet, and Transformation.

Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation: Co-created a board game about climate resilience, developed in collaboration with tribal leaders and environmental experts.
Tel Library: Designed a digital course focused on charter school policy.
Game Writing: Wrote adventure modules and game material for published RPGs, including companies like Coyote & Crow Games and Paizo Press.
Cultural Consulting: Advised on Native American cultural topics for games and educational projects.

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