CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMEDIA Multimedia Definition Multimedia Element Component of Multimedia Importance Of Multimedia Opportunities In Multimedia Production Applications Of Multimedia Multimedia Development Team Multimedia Development Last updated: 5/07/06

Definition What is Multimedia? Interactive Multimedia? Hypermedia? Woven combinations of digitally manipulated text, graphic art, sound, video, and animation. Interactive Multimedia? When you allow an end user or the viewer of a multimedia project to control what and when the elements are delivered, it is interactive multimedia. Hypermedia? When you provide a structure of linked elements through which the user can navigate, interactive multimedia becomes hypermedia.

Definition Multimedia developers? Multimedia projects? The people who weave multimedia into meaningful tapestries are known as multimedia developers. Multimedia projects? The software vehicle, the messages, and the content presented on a computer or television screen together constitute a multimedia project. A multimedia project need to be interactive to be called multimedia.

Multimedia Elements Text Graphic art (pictures, drawings, and images) Audio Video Animation

Multimedia Components 1. Computer Computer coordinates what is heard and seen electronically. Without a computer, it is not multimedia, it is just media. 2. Links There must be links to connect the information to provide a sense of structure and dimensions. Without links it is not multimedia, it is just a bookshelf. 3. Navigational Tools Navigational tools lets user traverse the web of connected information and decide the course of action.

Multimedia Components Without navigational tools it is not multimedia, it is just a movie. 4. Communication Communication is a way to gather, process and communicate your own information and ideas. Without communicating own ideas it is not multimedia, it is just a television.

Importance of Multimedia 1. Ease of use Easier to use by end-user. Increase the user’s effectiveness. User becomes less dependent on instructions. 2. Intuitive interface Obvious responses to icons. Simple selection of control and navigation buttons -> they look like what it’s intended to do.

Importance of Multimedia 3. Immerse experience Application takes over the entire computer screen. Removing the distraction of the computer’s Operating System. Easier to focus on the application. 4. Self-Paced Interaction and Better Retention The ability to process information at one’s own pace is crucial to their success. For example, you can spend 10 hours with a multimedia encyclopedia or just 10 minutes.

Importance of Multimedia 5. Better Understanding of the Content Better comprehend the material. Multimedia Computer-based Training (CBT). Students learn better and more easily when information is presented in ways that stimulate several of the student’s senses concurrently. 6. Cost Effectiveness Consider an application that requires a costly printing value, in-depth training manual,and continuous technical support as you would need for a non-multimedia application, the cost saving benefits become apparent.

Importance of Multimedia 6. More Fun = Greater Efficiency Software wizards: programs that take you through a series of prescribed steps to quickly accomplish a job. Digital assistants: programs that catch errors or suggest better methods Examples of Software Wizard and Software Digital Assistant (Agent)

Job Opportunities in Multimedia Production Product Marketing & Promotion TV commercials Multimedia advertising Video-based marketing and promotion Marketing web-page development Entertainment Film special effects Video animation Interactive TV Virtual reality simulations Internet game development Kiosk design

Job Opportunities in Multimedia Production Scientific Research Medical and dental Physics simulations Chemical modeling Astronomical research Mathematical research Real Estate Development Site-use studies Architectural design Landscape design Structural Engineering Property sales

Job Opportunities in Multimedia Production Education Edutainment software Educational software Distance learning Web pages Multimedia textbooks

Applications of Multimedia There are many examples of the application of multimedia in our everyday life. Some of the examples: Art Ebook’s A Survey of Western Art presents more than a thousand full-color photographs of Western paintings, sculpture and architecture that span history from ancient Egypt to modern America. Language Syracuse Language System publishes the award-winning Playing with Language Series on CD ROM.

Applications of Multimedia Education E-Learning (distance learning) and “courseware”. Facilitate learning-helping students for more understanding. Providing feedback. Virtual Reality (VR) Virtual reality is an extension of multimedia. It uses the basic multimedia elements of imagery, sound, and animation. It requires terrific computing horsepower to be realistic. In VR, cyberspace is made up of thousands of geometric objects plotted in three-dimensional space.

Applications of Multimedia Some of VR application use a special hardware (goggles, helmets, special gloves etc.) to get a feedback from user. The standards for transmitting VR in Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) documents have been developed on the World Wide Web. VRML documents have the file extension .wrl. Business / Corporate communication Doing promotion by presenting business presentation. e-Catalog, demo, communications, advertisement, and marketing.

Multimedia Development Team The complexity of multimedia projects can range from simple one-to-two page quick efforts to hundreds of megabytes worth of information requiring month to complete. Regardless of the size or effort, there are basically two approaches to consider when building multimedia projects: One-person approach: involves one person to write, edit, insert graphics, audio, video etc, test, package and deliver the product. Team approach: consists of a number of individuals who bring specialized skills and talents to a project. In some cases, there may be single person who takes on many roles or many people who share one role.

Multimedia Development Team Job Title Job Description  Project Manager   Responsible for overall development and implementation (budget, schedules, creative sessions, illness, invoices, team dynamics). Multimedia Designer Includes graphic designers, illustrators, animators, image processing specialists. Creates and manipulates images. Interface Designer Makes the lay out of the screen user-friendly

Multimedia Development Team Job Title Job Description  Writer   Creates characters, action and point of view. Writes proposal, script for narrations and text screens. Video Specialist Responsible for the entire team of photographers. Has skill to produce from concept to editing. Audio Specialist Designs music. Produces voice-over. Manipulates sound effects.

Multimedia Development Team Job Title Job Description Multimedia Programmer Integrates all multimedia elements together using an authoring system or programming language. Web producer Designs, implements and maintains a complex multimedia website.

Multimedia Development Multimedia Development Life Cycle Phase 1 – Planning Step 1: Developing the concept Step 2: Stating the purpose Step 3: Identifying the target audience Step 4: Determining the treatment Step 5: Developing the specifications Step 6: Storyboard and navigation Phase 2 – Creating Step 7: Developing the content Step 8: Authoring the title Phase 3 – Testing Step 9: Testing the title A thorough explanation on the MDLC can be obtained in Chapter 8