Treatment : Media and Techniques CHAPTER 8 Chap 7

Treatment Knowing the purpose, advantages and constraints of media (sound, graphics, animation, video) and know how to handle them. Techniques chosen Interface Chap 7

Constraints Online platform Understand computer specification most users have Which browsers they are using Understand what media components will be accessible to all users For a general website, make decisions based on the type of information, purpose, image client wants, profile of the users Offline platform Find out information about requested platform to know the capabilities and limitations Chap 7

Budget Online projects Offline project One of the problems – clients expect production to be fast and cheap Need to explain about the production processes and relative costs of a few minutes of audio, video and graphics (see Table 7.1) Offline project Clients expected the new systems platform and application not so expensive Hard to compensate purpose and budget Many companies not considering offline applications but for particular purposes and clients, offline application can still be a better solution Chap 7

… Budget Resources Each medium has a range of possibilities that affect the cost Decide the best for the purposes, platform, price and user Table 7.1 gives guidance when you know the constraints, try to produce the best Combination of media, message, techniques and interface can have unique features that are suitable for content and users Chap 7

..Budget Chap 7

Matching the media to the message Effectiveness of a medium dependent on the medium, (audio, visual, text or combination), messages and techniques evolved in each medium(sequencing- ways of editing., morphing, time-lapse photography etc) Power of media, messages and techniques is released only when a person receiving the message interprets them Two problems to recommend media components: New forms or new quality levels of display are constantly emerging and evolve quickly especially for online projects Research into different forms of media and their relative merits for imparting similar information has been inclusive :: Decisions on the use of multiple media remain subjective & based on experience Chap 7

Video Background factors: For online, must consider bandwidth For offline, not all systems allow full-screen video and the size permitted affects the type of content displayed. Drama – in a size that is large enough for detail to be visible. Video for kiosk- at least half-screen since user tends to stand further back. Advantages: A combined medium generally uses sound accompanying with moving pictures – easier to process because viewers’ senses Used for whole spectrum – explanation, humor, demonstration, exposition, fiction etc Chap 7

Video and applications for education and training Strengths of video because their ability to cover a great deal in a short time Interactivity allow user to control and revise the information/videos Very good for showing interpersonal skills such as handling meetings or dealing with difficult customers An interactive role-play could allow the user to take one side of he role-play while the video character asks or answers questions accordingly via prompts through the computer But not suitable for using video online for education Firms which own intranet, may using online video training Hybrid which video have been put on CD or DVD might be considered but the budget will be increased Chap 7

Audio A very versatile medium-an integral part of video, accompany graphics, text or both simultaneously Includes speech, music and sounds Less popular for websites Can avoid lengthy text explanation but cause problem if overuse Effective when support text and graphics appropriately Chap 7

Computer and video graphics Desktop computer graphics are very versatile, form simple line to 3-D animations Specialist skills within graphics are still needed Strength provide a stimulus that can trigger reaction in the user Ability to be representational in a symbolic sense which can add a dimension, a unique style and feel to an application or site Constraints Online – need for plug-ins and extended downloading times. Avoid using large image maps as first pages. Chap 7

Graphics and applications for education and training Categories of instructional graphics: Representational graphics Share a physical resemblance with the object or concept that is portrayed Analogical graphics uses analogy to display something that has similarities with the issues under discussion but in a abstract way Logical graphics in form of flow charts, graph and charts. Representational graphics were used the most and analogical the least Chap 7

Text Offline A few years ago, text dominant but now other media components have come to the fore Now used most for Help explanations, reinforcements or summary information, titles etc Online Text still dominates Text will be affected at final integration process If text a dominant media, pay attention to screen layout, readability and legibility Chap 7

Summary Understand the constraints and work within them There are few conclusive principles to help match media and message in specific multimedia contexts Video: Appropriate display size More spaces and bandwidth Extra consideration to be used for education and training Audio: Versatile medium & cost effective Other option for overuse of text Appeals to the emotions Avoid sound irritating Chap 7

…Summary Graphics: Versatile and a wide range of quality Realistic and symbolic representations Have value for all applications Handle transformations between layers of visual Must related to the delivery channel limitations Text: Used extensively in online but less in offline Difficult to integrate text and maintain its quality Important layout, size and legibility Using Help and aids to avoid text organizing Chap 7