The purpose of this proposal was to examine how User Experience (UX) design principles can enhance traditional instructional design techniques in an online learning environment. Much of traditional instructional design methods come from a pre-internet era in an age in which online learning is growing exponentially (Troop et al., 2020). Exacerbating the challenge for instructional designers is the increased technical competence of the learners. The researcher posits that the way ahead for instructional design in an online environment might come (in part) from the integration of UX design techniques originating from the technical business environment. The researcher proposed the use of specific UX techniques to improve the online environment and thus the online learning experience of students at a specific university. The proposal states the problem, situates the problem in the literature, and suggests how UX techniques can be combined with traditional instructional design through an action research design. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]