1. Introduction To Multimedia
Module 6 Part 1
Introduction To Multimedia

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 .

5. 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

6. Why Multimedia??? Ease of use Intuitive Interface Immersive experience
Self-paced interaction and better retention
Better understanding
Cost effectiveness
More fun = greater efficiency

7. Types of Multimedia Presentation
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
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.

8. Multimedia System Characteristics
Multimedia systems must be computer controlled.
All multimedia components are integrated.
The interface to the final user may permit interactivity.
Information must be represented digitally.

9. 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

10. Multimedia Building Block
Digital environment
USER
Elements of Multimedia

11. Multimedia Takes Many Forms
courseware
Kiosks
Movies
Photo albums
Image catalogs

12. Delivering and Using Multimedia
Multimedia demands bandwidth
CD-ROMs hold MB
DVD-ROMs hold GB
Multimedia can be delivered online (web)

13. Delivering and Using Multimedia
Multimedia Can Be Delivered Online
Online uses include:
Books and magazines
Movies
News and weather
Education
Maps
Entertainment

14. Creating & Developing Multimedia
Requirements
Creative skills
Technology & tools
Hardware
Software
Organization and business talent

15. Multimedia Development Process

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Multimedia Design Process
Designing the interactivity
Implemented in different ways depending on the product, content and development tools
Three approaches
Linear
Programmed branching
Hypermedia

19. 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.

20. Multimedia Design Process
Designing the structure
Common Navigation structures
Linear
Hierarchical
Nonlinear
Composite

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Multimedia Design Process
Designing the Appearance
The interface design principle includes issues on:
The metaphor
Conceptual model
Anticipation
Intuitiveness
Novice/Expert Mode
Feedback
Consistency
Cognitive overload
Graphical Approaches.

26. 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.

27. The Multimedia Development Teams
Customer /Client
Requirement
Multimedia Product
Multimedia Development Team
Key personnel
Project Manager
Support team
Audio/video producer/Camera
scriptwriter
Talent
Photography
User Interface designer
Intellectual property lawyer
Continuity expert
Marketer/ Vendor
Designer
Graphic artist
Programmer
Subject Matter Expert