Multimedia
and the Web
Learning Objectives

Describe what multimedia is and some
advantages and disadvantages of using it.

Explain the difference between the following
multimedia elements: text, graphics,
animation, audio, and video.

List several Web-based and non-Web-based
multimedia applications.
Learning Objectives, cont’d.
 Briefly
describe the basic steps and
principles involved with multimedia and
Web site design.
 Discuss
the various tasks involved with
multimedia and Web site development.
 Speculate
as to the format of multimedia
in the future.
Overview

This chapter covers:

The elements of multimedia

Common multimedia applications

Design principles of multimedia

Multimedia and Web development
What Is Multimedia?
 Multimedia
refers to any type of
application or presentation that uses
more than one type of media.
 An
application is interactive if the user
can control the flow or content by using a
touch screen, keyboard, or mouse to
select options or turn pages.
Advantages and
Disadvantages of Using
Multimedia

Advantages
 Can fit a variety of learning styles
 More interesting and enjoyable experience
 Can be easier to understand

Disadvantages
 Cost
 Amount of storage space required
 Limitations of Web-based multimedia
Multimedia Elements:Text

Serif typefaces are typically used for large
bodies of text; sans serif typefaces are more
commonly used for headings.

Different typefaces can convey widely
different feelings and impressions.

Point size should be selected carefully to
make sure text is readable while not taking up
too much of the screen.
Multimedia Elements:
Graphics
 Graphics
are digital representations of images.
 Clip
art and stock photographs are widely
available on CD and on the Web.
 Graphic
file formats include:
BMP

JPEG

TIF

PNG

GIF

Multimedia Elements:
Animation
 Animation
involves a series of graphical
images displayed one after another to
simulate movement.
 Page
transitions, animated GIFs, Java
applets, Shockwave, and Flash are
common types of animation.
 Animation
can also be added using
JavaScript or a programming language.
Multimedia Elements: Audio
 Audio
is sound, such as music, spoken voice, and
sound effects.
 Audio can be recorded using a microphone or
MIDI device, captured from a CD, or
downloaded from the Internet.
 Common audio formats include:



wav
mp3
midi



aif
dcr
swf
Multimedia Elements: Video
 Video
usually begins as a continuous
stream of visual information; it is broken
down into individual frames when
recorded.
 Can
be recorded using standard video
camera and then input into computer, or
recorded directly into PC or onto digital
media using digital video camera.
 Common
formats include avi, mpeg,
Non-Web-Based
Multimedia Applications
 Business

Computer-based training

Entertainment

Information kiosks
presentations
 Reference
 Virtual
materials
reality
Web-Based Multimedia
Applications
 Web-based
training
 Self-paced instruction
 Ability to update
material
 Immediate feedback
 Entertainment
 Online games
 Distribution of music
 Virtual reality
 VRML allows Web
delivery
Basic Design Principles
 Applications
exciting.
should be interesting and
 Web
site content should be changed on
a regular basis.
 Navigation
should be clear, consistent,
and easy to understand.
 Web
site pages should load quickly, and
CD applications should fit on one CD
whenever possible.
Basic Design Principles,
cont’d.
A
Web site should work on a variety of PC
configurations. Consider carefully:
 Features
that require a specific browser
 Features
that require little-used plug-ins
 Content
wider than a typical browser
window
 High-bandwidth
items
Determining the Intended
Audience and Objectives
 The
intended audience will help
determine the appearance of the
application.
 The
objectives will help determine the
content.
Using Flowcharts, Page
Layouts, and Storyboards
 Flowcharts
can be used to describe how
pages of the site or application relate to
one another.
 Page
layouts are commonly used to
design the appearance of a Web site.
 Storyboards
are commonly used with
multimedia applications to illustrate the
appearance and content of each screen
in an application.
Navigational Design
Considerations
A
site should be well organized (use the threemouse-clicks rule).
 Larger
 Other




sites can use a site map.
navigational tools include:
Drop-down menus
Search boxes
Text- and image-based navigation bars
Frames
Access Considerations
 Modifications
should be made for users with
nontraditional PCs, such as:
 Mobile devices
 Text-only browsers
 Screen readers
 Federal
Web sites need to comply with Web
Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines.
Multimedia and Web Site
Development
 Development
steps:
process includes three
 Creating
the multimedia elements
 Creating
the application or Web site
 Testing
the site or application
Creating the Multimedia
Elements
 Graphics
software
 Painting and drawing programs
 Image editing programs
 Audio
and video software
 Animation
software
Creating the Application or
Web Site
 Multimedia
authoring software
 Director, Authorware, Toolbook
 Web
site authoring software
 Dreamweaver, HomeSite, GoLive
 Storefront
software
Testing the Site or
Application
 Test
navigation
 Test usability
 Proofread carefully
 Web site considerations:
 Browser and computer incompatibility
 Download time
 Broken links
 Stress test
The Future of Multimedia
 Broadband
 Merging
TV and multimedia Web sites
 Interactive TV and TV on demand
 Multimedia
capabilities built into:
 Internet access devices
 Game boxes