Chap1

Coursenotes

Digital Media Fundamentals Module Code: IT2030PA

DIGITAL MEDIA FUNDAMENTALS

What is ‘Multimedia’ and it’s Importance?


In this chapter, you will learn: The Definition of Multimedia Hypertext and Hypermedia Where can Multimedia be used? The Various Professional Occupations in the

Multimedia Industry


The Definition of Multimedia Multimedia is the field concerned with the computer-

controlled integration of text, graphics, drawings, still and moving images (Video), animation, audio, and any other media where every type of information can be represented, stored, transmitted and processed digitally.

The basic five Elements of Multimedia 1. Text 2. Images 3. Audio 4. Animation 5. Video


Multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video, and interactivity content forms. Interactivity is one of the key features of multimedia. The User determines what content is delivered, when it is delivered and how. Multimedia presentations can be live or recorded. A recorded presentation may allow interactivity via a navigation system. A live multimedia presentation may allow interactivity via an interaction with the presenter or performer.

Multimedia represents the convergence of text, pictures,

video and sound into a single form. The power of multimedia and the Internet lies in the way in which information is linked.


Hypertext and Hypermedia

Hypertext is text displayed on a computer or other electronic device with references (hyperlinks) to other text that the reader can immediately access, usually by a mouse click or keypress sequence. Apart from running text, hypertext may contain tables, images and other presentational devices. Hypertext is the underlying concept defining the structure of the World Wide Web. It is an easy-to-use and flexible format to share information over the Internet.


Hypermedia is a computer-based information retrieval system that enables a user to gain or provide access to texts, audio and video recordings, photographs and computer graphics related to a particular subject. Hypermedia is a term created by Ted Nelson. Hypermedia is used as a logical extension of the term hypertext in which graphics, audio, video, plain text and hyperlinks intertwine to create a generally non-linear medium of information. This contrasts with the broader term multimedia, which may be used to describe non-interactive linear presentations as well as hypermedia


Where can Multimedia be used? Multimedia can be used in just about any situation where

computers are being used to deliver information and a number where they are not traditionally used. It may just be used to enhance areas that were previously text only, for example, presentations or information kiosks. Multimedia email and video conferencing allows information to be communicated better.

Collaborative working tools are becoming cheaper and more widely available, and many video conferencing applications now allow application sharing. Multimedia is widely used in education, from preschool to postgraduate. Interactive multimedia allows students to explore data and simulations allow the students to work on experiments. This can be particularly useful in a distributed environment with distance learning. Multimedia can also be used to enhance data presentation and data analysis, for example, by converting the images from a satellite to sound, it becomes much easier to hear discrepancies in that data.


The Various Professional Occupations in the Multimedia Industry The term "multimedia specialist" is used to describe a person working

in the multimedia industry. The term itself, however, does not describe the work a person does but only the environment or industry in which he or she works.

The final multimedia product might be an electronic book or magazine, a kiosk, a corporate training program, an interactive game, or educational program. To create such a product requires contributions from experts in many specialized areas. Therefore a multimedia specialist might be someone who creates the program's content (such as a graphic designer, an animator, or a videographer), or someone who processes the content into a final product (such as a sound, video or text editor, or a computer programmer), or someone who manages these people and processes (such as a producer, director, or a project manager). Each of these people becomes a member of the multimedia project team, combining his or her special talents and experience with those of other experts to produce the final product.


Animators Animators create two-dimensional (2D) and three-

dimensional (3D) images that show objects in motion or illustrate a process.

These images convey or enhance the project's message. Originally animators created images using paper and pen. These images were then arranged to give the illusion of movement and depth.

Today, two dimensional (2D) animators can still create images in the traditional way, but the images are then scanned into a computer, edited, and color, texture, or motion are added. There are also computer based 2D animation software packages to assist with the initial creation of the images.


Three dimensional (3D) images are created using computer animation or modeling programs and produce much more realistic and complex images. The hardware and software needed to create 3D animation is still very expensive and requires a high level of skill. Therefore, this type of work tends to be done by large production companies. It is also more difficult and expensive to obtain training and experience in 3D animation, but compensation can be twice that of 2D animators.


Sound Producers Sound Producers design and produce the sound

component of multimedia programs and products.

They work with music, voice-overs, and sound effects. They can be responsible for a variety of activities ranging from selecting or recording music to digitizing and editing recorded material into computer files.

They may work with other sound professionals such as audio engineers (who actually record voice and sound effects), sound designers or special effects specialists, digital sound processors, sound researchers, musicians, and voice artists.


Graphic Designers Graphic designers are responsible for creating original

art work with a visual style, design and layout that is appropriate to the project's concept and goals.

They may create screen layouts, menus, icons and symbols, logos, charts and diagrams. The visual design must be consistent with and support the overall goal of the project and be visually interesting to the product's users. It helps create the "mood" of the product and therefore the experience that the user has while using the product.

Good graphic designers for multimedia projects are first and foremost talented artists who are also technically competent using a variety of electronic tools and techniques.


Interface Designers Interface designers are responsible for creating

the product environment, and, therefore, the way in which the user experiences the product.

Interface designers not only develop icon and other visual symbols and cues, but also those parts of the environment that the user experiences with his or her other senses, including what the user can hear and touch.


The Interface designer sets the tone and parameters of how the user will interact with the program content.


Art Directors Art directors must be both competent designers

and managers.

They are responsible for all the art content of the project including animation, graphics, video and sound. "All artwork in a project must be of consistent quality and appear to have a cohesive relationship with every other part. This can only be accomplished if an art director reviews the creation of artwork at every step and helps guide the media professionals on the project to adhere to certain design standards".


In addition to overseeing the day to day production of artwork created by others, Art directors themselves often produce artwork for the project.

The Art director is also responsible for meeting

budget and schedule deadlines.


Programmers Programmers create the computer code that allows all the

components of a multimedia product to work together seamlessly and produce the desired effects.

Some programmers work in programming languages such as C++. Others (sometimes called scripter) work with software programs known as scripting languages or authoring software such as Macromedia Director, HyperCard, or Apple Media Tool.

Some programmers create products that are distributed on the World Wide Web. They work in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) to create 2D products and VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) for 3D product.


Programmers are often responsible for assessing the technical feasibility of a project. For example, they may need to determine if the electronic or programming tools exist or can be created to produce the desired result, or if the intended distribution medium (such as a CD-ROM) is large enough to contain the final product.


Writers Writers create or structure the project's concept

into a detailed description of what happens on the screen.

Writers describe what the user will see and hear while using the product. Since multimedia projects use video and still images, sound, movement and written or spoken words to convey meaning, the writer must make all of these components work together.


The writer may be a copywriter who writes the text that appears on the screen or a scriptwriter who creates the dialog to be spoken by actors, animated characters, or voice-overs.

The writer may create original work for the project.

The writer may also take existing work and

modify it for use in a multimedia project.


Video Producers Video Producers are responsible for all video

components of the project. They can be involved in creating or shooting new video, acquiring existing video and editing.

The video producer is charged with making the video look good on the computer. In addition to these more creative activities, the Video Producer is also involved in various management activities such as budgeting, scheduling, planning and resource allocation.

Chap1

Technology

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