Technology of Multimedia

Multimedia is a combination of text, imagery, audio, video, and animation assembled to create an engaging experience for the user. A multimedia project can be passive; much like a movie or video, or it can be interactive, such as an online learning module or a computer game. (Vaughn, 2004). Information presented in a multimedia format is useful in many fields, including education, business and entertainment. In a business setting, multimedia is used to create presentations, staff and customer training, "marketing, advertising, product demonstrations, databases, catalogs, instant messaging, video conferencing, and networked communications." (Vaughn, 2004). In an educational setting multimedia offers the ability to create rich experiences for the students, and creative opportunities for teachers and instructional designers.

The technology to create multimedia is evolving rapidly because of the convergence of many types of digital media - audio, video, text, and more. In the world of multimedia there are more opportunities to interact with the users - such as in games, shopping experiences, or online learning modules. According to Lindstrom, "an interactive presentation is more than…creating a look and feel" of the information. It is "designing the experience the audience will have as well." Lindstrom reminds us that "Humans are multimedia communicators. We experience our world through our senses and express our needs and desires with a complex variety of verbal and visual signals." (Lindstrom, 1994).

Multimedia Creation Tools

Multimedia in the digital arena usually consists of video, audio, music, text, interactive content and animation, and there a many technologies and multimedia creation tools for each type of content. Two very popular animation authoring tools are Macromedia Director and Macromedia Flash. For 3D content creation there is 3D Studio Max, 3D Modeler, Dynamation, Rhinoceros Rhino, Adobe Acrobat 3D, Bryce software, a large selection of software from Autodesk including Maya, AutoCad, and many others. For video production there are programs such as Adobe Production Studio, and Final Cut Pro. In addition to software, there are many hardware options for multimedia creation - such as digital cameras for photography and digital video cameras.

Current trends for Information Design in multimedia can be diverse and complex. In a talk given at a BayCHI meeting in 2004, Dirk Knemeyer and a panel of professionals discussed future evolutions in digital design in multimedia. Some of the subjects they covered were: global knowledge economy, user-centered design, the expanding possibilities for functionality in digital products, sustainability, invisible design, emotional design; the evolving market for digital products; and future trends, including the demand for simplicity in digital products, the convergence of science and business, the reduced role of emotional design, and on-demand access to centralized content. (Gabriel-Petit, 2004). One thing is clear, the role of the Information Designer/Developer is evolving and expanding into very diverse areas of expertise, and there is a great deal to learn to keep up with current technologies and processes. •