MODULE 6 : Part 1INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMEDIA

Module Objectives

At the end of the module, students should be able to:– Understand the fundamental concepts of multimedia– Identify the characteristics of a multimedia system– Understand the multimedia building blocks – Understand the concepts of creating multimedia content– Identify the application of multimedia and its structure

What is Multimedia ?

Multimedia = Multi + media• Multi = many• Media = medium or means by which

information is stored, transmitted, presented or perceived.

• By simple definition: Multimedia can be any combination of text, graphics, sound, animation and video, to effectively communicate ideas to users

Definition Of Multimedia

“Multimedia is any combination of text, graphic art, sound, animation and video delivered to you by computer or other electronic means.”

Tay Vaughan

Multimedia : Making it work 5th Ed

“Multimedia is the presentation of a (usually interactive) computer application, incorporating media elements such as text, graphics, video, animation and sound on computer.”

Stephen McGloughin

Multimedia: Concepts & practice

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Multimedia has a number of distinct and unique features, including:

Based on Edgar Dale (Cone Of Learning), on average, people remember:

10% of what they read,20% of what they hear,30% of what they see, 50% of what they hear and see, multimedia approach

multimedia rich elements, multi-sensory delivery system can facilitate greater retention of new

knowledge

Why Multimedia???

• Ease of use• Intuitive Interface• Immersive experience• Self-paced interaction and better retention• Better understanding• Cost effectiveness• More fun = greater efficiency

Types of Multimedia Presentation

1. Linear Multimedia– Users have little control over the presentation, just sit back and watches the

presentation– The presentation normally plays from the start to end or even loops

continually to present the information.– A movie is a common type of linear multimedia

2. Interactive Multimedia– Users dictate the flow of delivery, to control the what and when.– Users have the ability to move around or follow different path through the

information presentation.– Advantage: complex domain of information can be presented.– Disadvantage: users might lost in the massive “information highway”.– Useful for: information archive (encyclopedia), education, training and

entertainment.

Multimedia System Characteristics

1. Multimedia systems must be computer controlled.

2. All multimedia components are integrated.

3. The interface to the final user may permit interactivity.

4. Information must be represented digitally.

Why Represent Information in Digital Form?

• Storage– Digital representation permits the storage of

different information types on the same devices.• Transmission

– Information may also be transmitted over a single digital network.

• Processing– When digitized, all form of information may be

treated by computer programs, for editing, quality improvement, or recognition of the meaning of the information

Multimedia Building Block

Digital environment

USER

Elements of Multimedia

Multimedia Takes Many Forms

Multimedia takes many forms– courseware– Kiosks– Movies– Photo albums– Image catalogs

Delivering and Using Multimedia

• Multimedia demands bandwidth

• CD-ROMs hold 650-700 MB

• DVD-ROMs hold 4.7-17 GB

• Multimedia can be delivered online (web)

Delivering and Using Multimedia

• Multimedia Can Be Delivered Online

• Online uses include:– Books and magazines– Movies– News and weather– Education– Maps– Entertainment

Creating & Developing Multimedia

• Requirements– Creative skills– Technology & tools

• Hardware• Software

– Organization and business talent

Multimedia Development Process

Multimedia Design Process

• Approaching the design– Designers work closely with producers or

clients throughout the process.– The conceptual model between the designers

and the producers/clients must be closely matched.

– The more works put in design help to eliminate tedious and costly alteration at the end of the project.

 

Multimedia Design Process

• Design Aspects– Interactivity – how does the process work?

Allow users to control the application in a way that works with the content.

– Structure – the flow ( navigation) and content structure of the multimedia application

– Appearance – determine how the screen will look like.

Multimedia Design Process

• Designing the interactivity– Implemented in different ways depending

on the product, content and development tools

– Three approaches• Linear• Programmed branching• Hypermedia

Multimedia Design Process

• Designing the structure– Consideration on Navigation

– The term navigation means finding your way to certain information.

– Maps the structures and navigation paths as early as possible.

Multimedia Design Process

• Designing the structure– Common Navigation structures

– Linear– Hierarchical– Nonlinear– Composite

Multimedia Design Process• Common Navigation

structures– Linear: Users navigate

sequentially, from one frame of information to another

– Hierarchical: Users navigate along the branches of a tree structure that is shaped by the natural logic of the content

Multimedia Design Process• Common Navigation

structures– Nonlinear: Users

navigate freely through the content of the project, unbound by predetmined routes

– Composite: Users may navigate freely, but are occasionally constrained to linear presentations of movies or date.

Multimedia Design Process• Designing the structure

– Consideration on Hot Spot, button and icon• Hot spot: Areas of the screen that are ‘clickable’.• Button: Provide button feedback whenever possible

– Have a unique ‘pressed’ or ‘clicked’ state– In HTML, feedback is provided by colour changing

• Icon: Avoid forcing users to learn special icons in your project. Try to follow the design convention set by other leading software.

Multimedia Design Process• Designing the Appearance

– Usually called the user interface design or the look and feel design.

– The target is to facilitate communication, provide entertainment, elicit emotion, etc

– The graphic design of your multimedia product is the users first impression. A well design interfaces provide a good match between the user’s task needs, skill level and learning ability and will lead to satisfied and productive users.

Multimedia Design Process• Storyboarding

– A storyboard is a series of screens, organized sequentially, screen by screen, and each screen is sketched out with design notes and specification before final rendering.

– A storyboard can be developed with simple pencil and paper as well as using software applications.

Customer /Client

Multimedia Development Team

Key personnel

Project Manager

Designer

Graphic artist

Programmer

Subject Matter Expert

Support team

Audio/video producer/Camera

scriptwriter

Talent

Photography

User Interface designer

Intellectual property lawyer

Continuity expert

Marketer/ Vendor

Requirement Multimedia Product

The Multimedia Development Teams