1 CP586 © Peter Lo 2003 Multimedia Communication Analysis & Design of Electronic Communication

CP586 © Peter Lo Analysis and Design Conduct an analysis of your topic and subject area, including your main objectives. Design effective and efficient communication. Define your target audience. Efficient delivery of electronic based media. Look at current design trends.

CP586 © Peter Lo I.D.E.A.L. Analysis and design is a recursive process that is vital to the success of a multimedia application. Identify. Define. Explore. Act. Learn.

CP586 © Peter Lo Analysis Content: effective multimedia development is centered on how successfully the content is communicated to the end user. Audience: customize your site to meet audience needs. Development system: platform and applications. Delivery system: hardware, browser and environment. Function: focus and purpose of media.

CP586 © Peter Lo Topic What is your message? What is the primary purpose of your application? Who is your target audience? What will satisfy most of their needs or reasons for coming to your site? Can electronic media successfully convey that message?

CP586 © Peter Lo Communication Web sites and electronic media are designed to communicate. Are you going to inform, educate, persuade, entertain or advertise? Noise is any distracting material that distracts you end user from your message. There are many aesthetic and technical factors that can hinder effective electronic communication.

CP586 © Peter Lo Target Audience Electronic media needs to be audience centered. Begin by determining the audience’s age, knowledge, skill and expectations. You must determine computer literacy skills. Determine the main reasons people will use your application. Design an interactive structure that supports your audience needs.

CP586 © Peter Lo Efficient Delivery The speed of a client server connection to the Internet is vitally important. Learn to develop effective yet efficient delivery of content over the internet. Consider the size of your multimedia files. Plug-ins can often affect timely delivery. Less is more.

CP586 © Peter Lo Design Tips Minimize noise and distraction. Develop an audience centered application. Use graphic design and metaphors to create visual appeal. Focus on a utilitarian design: List and define key objectives for your site. Develop an interactive environment that uses interesting multimedia elements. Use short bursts of text. Balance your content and graphics. Develop audience centered writing. Graphics should be used to display something that can not be adequately communicated with text. Text should be clear and easy to read.