Multimedia

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= = “Multimedia is the seamless integration of text, sound, images of all kinds and control software within a single digital information environment.” - Tony Feldman, multimedia consultant

Many everyday things can now be done on the computer such as reading, listening to radio, watching television/movies, and talking to people (msn or webcaming). A multimedia book can combine text, animation, and sound to tell the story. Media that informs or entertains users while using several or multiple forms of information processing and information content is referred to as multimedia (ie. audio, text, animation, video, interactivity, graphics etc…).

The definition/quote above can be applicable to both online and offline interactive media. Web pages are a form of online interactive multimedia. It can reach distant computers and resources. Offline media can be CD-Roms or kiosks which are self-contained and don’t interact with beyond its immediate context. Some projects can even involve both on and offline components. Multimedia is also key to interactivity.

Applications that are multimedia, prohibits users to participate actively as opposed to being passive recipients of information are called interactive multimedia. Interactivity combines several forms of media into a digital presentation allowing users to interact with it to some degree. For example, typography, graphics, animations, video, sound, and virtual reality are all forms of interactivity. It can offer opportunities of control for the audience. In previous older media forms, such as film, one can only watch the story unfold, but could not control any aspect. Nowadays you can change the pacing/speed and fast forward through information or go back to repeat information. This is key to individual choice. Interactivity, and therefore multimedia (digital or technological), may be done to enhance the audiences’/users’ experience. It helps to convey information faster or can transcend the everyday life experiences through art or entertainment. Furthermore, multimedia is profoundly used in the entertainment industry. Its main use is for special effects and animation. Some popular pastimes such as gaming are popular multimedia forms.

Related Links:

 * Interaction Design
 * Interactive Communication

References:

 * Multimedia. 2006. Wikipedia. Online At: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia.
 * Szeto, Anne. 2006. CCT 305 Lectures.