1. Treatment : Media and Techniques
CHAPTER 8
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2. Treatment
Knowing the purpose, advantages and constraints of media (sound, graphics, animation, video) and know how to handle them.
Techniques chosen
Interface
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3. Constraints Online platform
Understand computer specification most users have
Which browsers they are using
Understand what media components will be accessible to all users
For a general website, make decisions based on the type of information, purpose, image client wants, profile of the users
Offline platform
Find out information about requested platform to know the capabilities and limitations
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4. Budget Online projects Offline project
One of the problems – clients expect production to be fast and cheap
Need to explain about the production processes and relative costs of a few minutes of audio, video and graphics (see Table 7.1)
Offline project
Clients expected the new systems platform and application not so expensive
Hard to compensate purpose and budget
Many companies not considering offline applications but for particular purposes and clients, offline application can still be a better solution
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5. … Budget
Resources
Each medium has a range of possibilities that affect the cost
Decide the best for the purposes, platform, price and user
Table 7.1 gives guidance
when you know the constraints, try to produce the best
Combination of media, message, techniques and interface can have unique features that are suitable for content and users
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6. ..Budget
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7. Matching the media to the message
Effectiveness of a medium dependent on the medium, (audio, visual, text or combination), messages and techniques evolved in each medium(sequencing- ways of editing., morphing, time-lapse photography etc)
Power of media, messages and techniques is released only when a person receiving the message interprets them
Two problems to recommend media components:
New forms or new quality levels of display are constantly emerging and evolve quickly especially for online projects
Research into different forms of media and their relative merits for imparting similar information has been inclusive
:: Decisions on the use of multiple media remain subjective & based on experience
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8. Video Background factors: For online, must consider bandwidth
For offline, not all systems allow full-screen video and the size permitted affects the type of content displayed. Drama – in a size that is large enough for detail to be visible. Video for kiosk- at least half-screen since user tends to stand further back.
Advantages:
A combined medium generally uses sound accompanying with moving pictures – easier to process because viewers’ senses
Used for whole spectrum – explanation, humor, demonstration, exposition, fiction etc
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9. Video and applications for education and training
Strengths of video because their ability to cover a great deal in a short time
Interactivity allow user to control and revise the information/videos
Very good for showing interpersonal skills such as handling meetings or dealing with difficult customers
An interactive role-play could allow the user to take one side of he role-play while the video character asks or answers questions accordingly via prompts through the computer
But not suitable for using video online for education
Firms which own intranet, may using online video training
Hybrid which video have been put on CD or DVD might be considered but the budget will be increased
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10. Audio
A very versatile medium-an integral part of video, accompany graphics, text or both simultaneously
Includes speech, music and sounds
Less popular for websites
Can avoid lengthy text explanation but cause problem if overuse
Effective when support text and graphics appropriately
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11. Computer and video graphics
Desktop computer graphics are very versatile, form simple line to 3-D animations
Specialist skills within graphics are still needed
Strength
provide a stimulus that can trigger reaction in the user
Ability to be representational in a symbolic sense which can add a dimension, a unique style and feel to an application or site
Constraints
Online – need for plug-ins and extended downloading times. Avoid using large image maps as first pages.
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12. Graphics and applications for education and training
Categories of instructional graphics:
Representational graphics
Share a physical resemblance with the object or concept that is portrayed
Analogical graphics
uses analogy to display something that has similarities with the issues under discussion but in a abstract way
Logical graphics
in form of flow charts, graph and charts. Representational graphics were used the most and analogical the least
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13. Text
Offline
A few years ago, text dominant but now other media components have come to the fore
Now used most for Help explanations, reinforcements or summary information, titles etc
Online
Text still dominates
Text will be affected at final integration process
If text a dominant media, pay attention to screen layout, readability and legibility
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14. Summary Understand the constraints and work within them
There are few conclusive principles to help match media and message in specific multimedia contexts
Video:
Appropriate display size
More spaces and bandwidth
Extra consideration to be used for education and training
Audio:
Versatile medium & cost effective
Other option for overuse of text
Appeals to the emotions
Avoid sound irritating
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15. …Summary Graphics: Versatile and a wide range of quality
Realistic and symbolic representations
Have value for all applications
Handle transformations between layers of visual
Must related to the delivery channel limitations
Text:
Used extensively in online but less in offline
Difficult to integrate text and maintain its quality
Important layout, size and legibility
Using Help and aids to avoid text organizing
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