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Planning Interactive Multimedia

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What is Interactive Multimedia?

Multimedia is the integration of text, sound, graphics, animation and video into a single unit.

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What is Interactive Multimedia?

Interactive means that the user or audience has control over the program or presentation.

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Designing IM

Designing Interactive Multimedia is critical in making these elements easy to use and understand while at the same time creating an effective and useful program.

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Appropriate uses of IM

GamesEducationTrainingInformation presentationSimulationCorporate presentation

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What is interface design?

The interface is what connects the user to the content and helps shape the interactive experience.

It is everything a user sees, hears, touches and feels.

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Getting started

Please consider:– Is an interactive multimedia program

the best solution?– who will use the program?– where will the program be used?– does anything like this idea already

exist?– are the resources available to make the

program?

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Resources Required

To make an interactive multimedia (IM) program you will need: – A project management plan – People with knowledge and skills to help you – Tools - like Hardware, Software and Production

Equipment – Subject matter and content to put into your

program – Funding (for commercial programs)

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1. Determine the needs & goals

What is the expected outcome?

What do you want the user to learn/know?

Tools– set up a schedule of events

(timeline) and designate tasks

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2. Learn the Content

In some cases the content of the program may not be familiar to you - learn about the content yourself or use a subject matter expert

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3. Generate Ideas

Brainstorming to generate creative ideas.

Better to do this activity with a group.

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3. Generate Ideas

Brainstorming produces a long list of ideas - bad ones are eliminated and some plan/method of instruction needs to be developed.

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4. Storyboard

Preparing textual & pictorial displays of EACH screen/scene

Each screen should be roughly illustrated and serve the purpose of generating further ideas.

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5. Flowchart the Program

A series of diagrams describing the flow of the program.

The flowchart will contain information about what screen leads from one to another, what happens if a particular response is made, when does the program end etc.

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6. Detailed Design

A paper based design stage where detailed information about the project and it’s content is created.

Each frame is detailed including graphics, text, multimedia components, navigation and actions

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7. Program It

Translate the storyboard/flowchart into a series of instructions on the computer. i.e. Put the plan into practice!

This should be a prototype and is subjected to constant testing and debugging.

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8. Produce Support Materials

User manualsTechnical manualsWorksheetsCD Cover

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9. Evaluate & Revise

Get feedback from usersFix bugsFinal production

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The Team

Almost all multimedia projects are developed by a team rather than an individual.

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The Team

The types of specialists include– Graphic Designers – Programmers– Producers (handle the

day to day management of people and finances)

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The Team

– Project Managers (oversee the projects timeline and resources)

– Writers - creative and technical– User Interface Designers – Sound Designers– Videographers– Animators - 2-D and 3-D