Igniting something new
The spark behind Spark Learning Design
Big news! After years of creating learning experiences in both the education and corporate space, I’m officially launching my own instructional design business: Spark Learning Design.
Why Spark? Because great learning isn’t about dumping information onto people—it’s about lighting up curiosity, engagement, and action. My last name, Funk, actually means "spark" in German, and that connection felt too perfect to ignore. Learning should click, it should inspire, and it should drive real results. My goal is to create training and learning experiences that don’t just check a compliance box but make people say, “Oh! That actually makes sense and I wanted to do this.”
Did we just become best friends?
I’m Kelsey, and I love networking and connecting with others about work. That may sound reeeeeal nerdy, but I have found that developing relationships with those in my work space has made my career even more meaningful. But don’t worry, I’m an enneagram 3 and will be absolutely crushing your project plan in no time.
A little bit more about me:
I live in northern Minnesota with my husband, my son, and my two golden retrievers.
I’ve been designing eLearning material for about ten years. My love for this space started in the classroom, back when I was a teacher.
Visual design and storytelling are my favorite parts of instructional design, along with working with lots of different people and learning new things along the way through subject matter experts.
In the last few years I have made it a mission to learn many new life skills + hobbies. I learned to curl, golf, tap dance, and become a mom!
I love to read and am a part of a social issues book club that has opened my world to so much since the pandemic.
I’m here for businesses that know learning matters but aren’t quite sure how to make it effective and engaging OR just simply don’t have the time. Whether you’re a small business onboarding new employees, a corporate team in need of fresh (and not a snoozefest) training, or an educator looking for creative solutions, I’ve got you.
If your current training feels clunky, forgettable, or like a PowerPoint factory… let’s fix it together!
Why this work?
I’ve spent my career making learning accessible and engaging for my learners an filling in spaces where learning didn’t already exist. From working with individuals with low-incidence disabilities to corporate training that actually works, I love transforming the way people learn. My background in leadership, design, and project management means I bring both strategy and creativity to every project.
Bright Ideas
This blog will be a space where I share instructional design insights, fresh takes on learning, and some behind-the-scenes looks at my project development.
You’ll probably see some posts on things like:
How to make training actually work (and not just exist)
Digging into the ROI of learning experiences and impact in general
What it’s been like behind the scenes starting my own small business
Accessibility and inclusion in learning design
A sprinkle of nerdy fun
If you’re a business leader, educator, or HR professional looking for better training solutions, let’s chat. And if you just love creative learning talk, stick around—there’s plenty more to come.
Curious about working together? Send a message my way!
-Kelsey