What is Vibe Coding?
Lately, we’ve seen a growing split in how people talk about AI-assisted coding.
On one side, there’s the hype: “Everyone should learn to code,” or “LLMs will replace everyone.” and of course, “Authoring tools are dead.” On the other, there’s dismissal: “This is AI slop,” “It can’t be maintained,” or “It’s not making a difference to the bottom line.”
As usual, the reality sits somewhere in the middle.
Enter “Vibe Coding”—the practice of using natural language to steer AI into writing functional code without the human needing to master the syntax. For instructional designers especially, vibe coding doesn’t mean becoming a programmer or shipping production systems. Instead, it means removing the friction between ideas and execution, all while doing so responsibly.
You've got the ideas. But where's the time?
Most IDs overflowing with ideas.
New interaction patterns. Better learner flows. Tools that would save hours of manual work. But many of those ideas never make it past a description or a static mockup because building them feels expensive, slow, or out of reach given the team’s budget and capacity.
At the same time, expectations keep rising. Stakeholders expect richer experiences. Learners expect polish. Teams expect faster iteration. The bar for what “good” looks like is moving upward every year.
Here's an example: Video Chapters in StoryLine.
Take this simple idea one of our IDs had: video chapters in StoryLine.
The basic premise was that users navigating videos in Storyline courses would have chapters to easily skip to sections most relevant to them. While the idea was great, the time needed to pull other developers away to build this from scratch made it difficult to even get started. With vibe coding, the ID was able to prototype something quickly, demonstrate how it worked, and have developers review it to refine it.
Let's address misconceptions.
Vibe coding gets misunderstood because people assume it means skipping fundamentals or letting an AI run wild. In reality, the “vibe” refers to a change in roles: you are no longer the manual laborer grinding away at code syntax; you are the creative director providing the high-level intent and aesthetic direction while the AI handles the gruntwork.
It's about...
- Quickly prototyping and building functional tools.
- Focusing on the “what” and the “why” rather than the “how.”
- Iterating based on how the tool feels and performs in real-time.
- The middle ground between “I described it” and “I hired a developer.”
- Building lightweight tools that support your workflow.
It's not about...
- Replacing design thinking.
- Shipping security-sensitive systems blindly.
- Avoiding judgment or polish.
Think of it as sketching, but executable. A way to move from “I think this could work” to “here’s something you can actually interact with.”
Instructional designers are vibe code powerhouses
Instructional designers are already good at defining outcomes and breaking complex problems into steps. This makes you a natural at “vibe coding,” giving the AI the right pedagogical context so it builds something that actually teaches, rather than just something that looks cool.
Instructional designers are already good at:
- Defining outcomes clearly.
- Breaking complex problems into steps.
- Giving structured, iterative feedback.
- Learning new domains quickly.
- Translating abstract ideas into experiences.
Where vibe coding changes the workflow
Used thoughtfully, vibe coding opens doors that were previously closed or impractical.
We’ve built code blocks for Rise. We’ve mocked up layouts and handed them to developers as clear references instead of static wireframes. I’ve brainstormed interaction types that weren’t possible in Storyline or Rise without custom code—and built them faster than I could have learned to code them myself, keeping projects within budget and timeline.
The same instinct applied to admin work gets you automations that reduce repetitive tasks – small, deterministic tools that quietly save hours.
Quick Wins
Paint by Num-Birds: A charming interaction where you select colors and paint a bird to help you identify the species based on the color pattern. This was created for a e-learning heroes Code Block Build-a-thon, and won second place! Go ahead and try it out.
3D Cube: A rotating 3D cube where each face reveals different content. It provides some exploration to the content as learners roll around the die to uncover each side.
Rotating Earth:
In this interaction, not only do you have a 3D object with locked hotspots, you also have an AI-powered interaction thanks to AI-Ready. Learners can ask questions and get a tailored response from a fellow Sapient. Go ahead, try it out here!
These interactions are saved and reused later, which lets us prototype the look and feel for an entire course before handing it to a designer, saving countless rounds of feedback and false starts.
None of this replaced core ID work. It removed bottlenecks so more of that work could happen.
Vibe coding also opens up assessment formats that used to need a developer. Improving assessment quality using AI feedback shows what becomes possible.
What happens if we ignore it
As vibe coding becomes more common, the gap won’t remain neutral. The gap between IDs who can prototype their visions and those who are stuck behind authoring tool limitations will become a competitive chasm. This is about staying relevant and sustainable in a field that keeps asking for more.
Responsible use matters
Vibe coding works best when boundaries are clear. Focus on creating helpful tools and prototypes, and not on replacing design thinking or adding polish.
Ignoring these realities leads to brittle systems and unnecessary risk. Respecting them keeps vibe coding productive instead of painful.
Getting Started with Vibe Coding
Logic
Describe what you want, be specific about the problem, and iterate in plain language using AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini.
TIP
Include ‘Offline single page html/js/css’ to make it easily runnable.
Environment
Most AI tools have a built-in preview environment where your code becomes something you can click and interact with inside the chat window.
TIP
Look into IDE tools (Cursor, Antigravity) once the chat window feels constraining.
Sharing
Once you’re happy with the code, there are several services that let you drag, drop, and share a live link in under a minute.
TIP
Look into GitHub Pages once you’re ready to manage and version your projects properly.
Start Small
Stick to a single file and focus on adding one feature at a time. Also save versions as you go, so progress isn’t lost when the AI makes mistakes.
TIP
Chat histories can be lost or hard to locate, so save the code to a folder as you work.
Think of it this way
Vibe coding isn’t cheating.
It isn’t slop.
And it isn’t the end of craft.
It’s combining strong design thinking with new tools, and using them intentionally.
For instructional designers, that combination unlocks the ability to express ideas more effectively, clearer communication with developers and stakeholders, and more creative energy for what actually matters.
Vibe coding is the next adjustment in how the work gets done.
When a prototype turns into something that needs to run on its own, anatomy of a lean AI agent covers how to scope it so it stays reliable.
Ready to take the next step? Let's talk!
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