Multimedia Project Design Concepts Lecture # 11 By Razia Nisar Noorani

Multimedia Project “The Software vehicle, the Message, and the Content presented on a computer or television screen together constitute a multimedia project.” OR “A typical software project, using multimedia technology with specific aim of distributing explicit information to a well defined homogeneous or heterogeneous market segment, using various media technologies and interactivity, can be called as a Multimedia project.”

Concept Development Before proceeding with the actual project design & development, we may have to sharply focus our attention on the topic we have chosen for project. One, the concept has been well developed, these meetings tend to get more conventional – necessarily involving the project leader and his team more concerned about the Development work, technical problems, progress meetings etc.

Project Design & Development Multimedia project design and development involves: General Content Design / Development Navigation Structure Design / Development Media Content Design / Development Interface Design / Development Storyboarding Techniques Program Development or Authoring Delivery Design / Development

General Content Design & Development Q: What do we mean by ‘General Content’ ? A: It refers to all types of information, in all possible forms of media collected for the specific title under production. General content design and development encompasses the following activities: Data Collection Data Analysis and Filtering Data Arrangement and Sequence Data Verification

Data Collection Collection of relevant information, from all possible sources is the first step in general content Design and Development. The sources of information vary, depending upon the project under production. Good Books and Libraries, Magazines, Experts Discussions, Video Interviews and Internet are some of the global pools, wherein the required information can be sought.

Data Analysis and Filtering Not all data collected, are going to be useful for the project. Some are to be edited, some are to be modified and some others are to be removed altogether from the project! Filtering process is generally undertaken by the field expert – in coordination with the project manager and designer. The Filtered data is neatly reprinted / rearranged, and several copies of the same are made, for further proceedings.

Data Arrangement and Sequence The filtered data must be arranged in the proper logical sequence, proceeding from one portion to another. This forms the backbone of the ‘Story Board’ that’s going to be developed.

Data Arrangement and Sequence MULTIMEDIA HARDWARE SOFTWARE AUDIO TEXT Data Arrangement and Sequence GRAPHICS ANIMATION VIDEO MULTIMEDIA PROJECT CD-ROMS

Data Verification Data is verified in this process. Authenticity of the information collected can be checked up with alternate sources, if any. The checked up and verified data, arranged in proper sequence, results in the Master Information Booklet - a neatly printed / arranged copy of the final data – that’ll be distributed to the designers involved with the project. The contents of the Master Booklet, can be called as the ‘General Contents’ of the specific project.

Navigation Structure Design & Development The general content sequence developed in the earlier phase of multimedia project, must now be rearranged to suit the multimedia application development environment. This process specifically called Mapping or Navigation Mapping results in what’s called a Navigation Map or Nav Map

Navigation Structure Design & Development Nav Maps can adopt any one of the following structure, for their design: Linear Structure Hierarchical Structure Non-Linear Structure Composite Structure

Linear Structure In linear structure, the user moves through a sequential straight lined path, one portion after another. There is absolutely no independence to move freely in b/w the portions. At the most, the user may be given the option to move one step, forward or backward.

Schematic Representation of Linear Nav Map Structure Screen 1 Screen 2 Schematic Representation of Linear Nav Map Structure Screen 3 Screen 4

Hierarchical Structure Hierarchical structure provides a top down tree design. Hierarchical design provides certain amount of freedom, and yet, retains the rigidity of the project by selectively restricting the pathways.

Hierarchical Structure Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4 Screen 5 Screen 6 Screen 7 Screen 8 Screen 9

Non-Linear Structure A truly independent structure. Non-Linear structure is not bound by any restrictions and the users can freely navigate through any portion of the project. Example: Like this MS-PowerPoint software

Composite / Compound Structure Composite structure is a combination of any of these three types of structures, discussed above. The usual combination is linear and non – linear structures in Navigation Map that allows the users to navigate freely but limits itself to linear moments in selected portions of the projects.

Composite / Compound Structure Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4 Screen 5 Screen 6

Interface Design & Development The front end of the project, that projects itself before the user, is called ‘Interface’ and designing the same is called ‘Interface Designing’. It’s only the help of interface design, that, one producer distinguishes his title from others b/c the nature of media contents are almost the same.

Storyboarding Techniques The story board will decide which elements has to come from right side, which one from the left side, how they will combine and form the compound. Story boarding is very simple, yet intuitive technique which, when used properly will result in very good results in relatively short periods of time.

End of Lecture - 11