1. Multimedia and Projects
CHAPTER 1

2. What is multimedia
‘Multimedia is the seamless integration of text, sound, images of all kinds and control software within a single digital information environment’ (Tony Feldman)
This definition applies to interactive media productions for distribution both online, such as Web pages, and offline, such as kiosks, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
The use of the word ‘seamless’ in this context is important from an artistic as well as a technical perspective.

3. combination of online and offline
The viewer (user) of a computer should be cushioned from the technology as much as possible, and the designer should able to choose the best medium to get the particular message across.
Online – web pages
Communicate with distant resources, distant users
Offline – kiosk, DVDs, CD-ROMs
self-contained, not communicates with
outside
Hybrid – web/CD
combination of online and offline

4. What is multimedia project
A project in multimedia comprises a series of tasks that deliver a combination of media and have computer component to integrate them
Varieties of project :
Hardware oriented multimedia projects where the aim might be to specify, introduce, and integrate a delivery platform – videoconferencing
Software development projects that combine media components into an application to run on a delivery platform
Client-centered software development projects that need a team to work together to achieve the project – covers the majority of circumstances that will be met in both on and offline project management and production. To

5. Varieties of clients
Client is anyone who has the authority to control time and budget, and has the right to sanction design decisions. This definition covers both internal and external clients.
Internal clients are those who commission a project from within your own company, for example.
External clients are people outside your company who commission projects.
The process of developing a project is in principle the same for all clients except that the contractual agreements will probably, but not always, be more straightforward for internal clients – if such agreements exist at all.

6. Emerging models of development
A company’s culture can influence the way in which they
set a project up.
Also, their predominant perspective will drive the way
they choose to work with their clients.
Because the number of companies involved in multimedia
development has grown in line with the uptake of the internet,
it has became apparent that there are different working
practices emerging.
As a good starting point for discussion, we can consider new
media companies that develop functional or creative
websites.
Functional
Creative

7. Creative working practices
Interactive development companies that originate from
the more creative end of the spectrum – (advertising,
graphics, marketing) have been used to having loose,
open discussions and several stages of trying out
concepts with the clients before moving towards a finish
product.
The problem is that this approach encourages constant
change and refinement.
What is needed perhaps, is a process that allows a fluid
phase of refinement then a focus for development where
changes are discouraged or controlled so the project moves
towards completion.

8. Creative ideas
Project beginning
Project end
changes

9. Functional working practices
Interactive development companies that originate from
more functional end of spectrum – (coming from
software database systems development) are used to
having a paid detailed definition stage prior to beginning
production.
They allow changes up until the specification is complete
but once production is under way changes are
discouraged or controlled.
These companies tend to be more concerned with
functionality than with the image portrayed.

10. Project end
Changes
Project beginning
Specification
Production

11. The client – centered multimedia project cycle : Overview
Initiation and Definition
Scoping the project
The proposal
Striking the contract
Detailed contract agreement
Sign-offs
Agree content
Platform
Media and techniques
Interface and interactive design
Team recruitment
Manage the team
Audio
Video
Text
Integration
Asset rights management
Systems support
Developmental testing
Integration testing
Acceptance testing
Final sign-off
Archiving
Production
Level 1 Admin
Level 2 Detailed specifications
Level 3 Admin
Level 4 Asset production
Level 5 Admin
Level 6 Testing
Level 7 Completion (external)
Level 8 Completion (internal)

12. Summary
Multimedia is the seamless integration of text, sound,
images of all kinds, and control software within a
single digital information environment.
The skills needed to produce multimedia are diverse.
Working practices are still emerging and at present
are often linked to traditional practices with limited
success.
The person responsible for winning the project needs
to be guided strongly by company policies in what
agreements to reach to avoid problems later for the
rest of the team and company.

13. Apart from competence in software and media
Summary
Apart from competence in software and media
design and production, cost control and staff
management skills are needed.
A client is anyone that has authority to control the
time and budget, or to sanction the design.
A client-centered project follows stages of initiation,
scoping and proposal definition, followed by
production. The production phase has several levels,
which are interrelated. In is not a linear process. 13