Basic Principles of Multimedia
Design and Development
As the line between disk and web-
based projects continue to blur, it
becomes easier to communicate
effectively using either or both.
Capture and hold attention with
multimedia. Combine audio, video
and animated graphics with the
written word, to deliver interesting,
entertaining and compelling
messages.
Detailing what it takes to do it right, During design it is also important to • Review and make any necessary
this article describes some basic
design principles, delineates the
phases of development,
demonstrates appropriate analysis
and defines some basic multimedia Development
terms.
Design
Interactive design is probably the
most exciting feature of multimedia
projects. And though it’s nice for
multimedia to be aesthetically
pleasing and entertaining, visual
elements ought to be more than
"eye-candy". It’s imperative to use
images and layout to help guide the
user’s eyes to what’s important and
know what to do next.
Graphic design is important but
not the main scope of this article.
Artists spend years practicing their
trade, learning the rules and
knowing when to break them. The
basic principles of color, form,
texture, balance, contrast,
continuity, etc. all apply to
electronically delivered media, too.
Navigational design determines • Create a Content Outline (What
how users get around. Using a
relatively flat structure makes key
information accessible from a single •
interface.
Keep people from having to dig
down through too many layers to
find what they want. The best Milestones - Analysis Report,
navigation is highly intuitive. Often Outline, Statement of Work
web pages provide alternate paths Design Phase
(e.g. - buttons, image maps,
hypertext.) • Begin Design (Interface,
Navigation, Graphics, Text
Textual content should be
Treatment)
designed for accessibility and
readability. Depending on the kind • Draft Flowcharts and
of project, text may also need to be Storyboards
printable and changeable.
revisions to designs, etc.
consider technology issues, such as:
bandwidth, throughput, system • Define and Build Rapid
requirements, etc. Prototype(s)
• Conduct Test of Rapid
Here are the activities involved Prototype(s) with typical end
during each phase of multimedia users
development. At the end of each Milestones - Flowcharts,
section is a list of the deliverables Storyboards, Prototype, Usability
or milestones. Test Results
Blueprint Phase Production Phase
• Discuss and Verify Strategic • Make any required changes to
and Project Planning Prototype Designs
• Determine Feasibility - Study • Prepare current and/or Draft
Present System (Cost-Benefit & new Textual Assets
R.O.I.)
• Capture or Create and Convert
• Conduct Analysis (Needs, Graphics (2D, 3D, Stills,
Goals, Audience, Subject Animation)
Matter)
• Coordinate Logistics for Audio
• Define Run-Time Requirements and Video Production (if
and Technical Specifications applicable)
• Determine Parameters for • Capture, Edit and Convert
Duplication, Labels and Audio and Video Assets
Packaging
• Authoring and Programming
(CD-ROM & Website)
already exists and what needs to
• Design and Print Labels and
be created)
Packaging
Draft a Statement of Work with
a Project Plan, Proposed Budget
• Prepare Digital Prototypes for
approval (Beta Version)
and Schedule
Milestones - Treatment of Media situation, and provide didn t work for you with current
Assets, Digital Prototype, Labeling, recommendations. training? etc.
Packaging
During needs assessment, we will Subject Matter Analysis
Implementation Phase explore where this project fits with Subject Matter Analysis involves
the big picture. We will also consulting multiple sources to
• Conduct Quality Assurance answer: How many units will be determine optimal content and
Testing and Evaluation needed right away? Will the optimal structure of that content.
• Make any necessary changes program ever need to be updated?
For example, we will research
(design, graphics, content, etc.) If so, when and how often? What current training and have our team
will be the best way to distribute the
• Finalize any software licensing program to learners? How else of writers, trainers, designers, and
agreement issues might we use video elements for graphic artists meet to review each
segment of training, and determine
• Install and Integrate Systems other purposes?, etc.
how best to convert everything from
(e.g. - Upload Website to Host Goal Analysis instructor-lead to self-paced—the
Server) Goal Analysis involves narrowing right combination of video,
• Burn a Gold Master disk broad goals into objectives to be workbooks, exercises, simulations,
measured by performance. For each etc.
• Produce Documentation goal, we will write a complete
statement describing acceptable Multimedia Terms
• Press disks and Assemble performances in terms of nature, Basic terms and activities involved
complete CD-ROM packages in the multimedia development
quality and amount. We will
Milestones - labeled, packaged, continue clarifying everything until process, in chronological order:
shrink-wrapped, and boxed CD- we can answer yes to the following
ROMs, DVDs or live Website question: "If the learner achieved or Analysis - to determine exact scope
demonstrated each of the desirable and other aspects and needs of the
Evaluation should occur performances, would we be willing
throughout the entire project to project
to say he or she has achieved the
constantly measure activities goal?" Requirements Specifications - lists
against desired outcomes. technical and functional
We intend to analyze overall goals requirements for the program
Analysis for the entire training program, as
Analysis usually occurs during the well as, specific goals within each Statement of Work - document
Blueprint Phase and can carry over section of instruction. By stating outlining all the parameters of our
into other areas of development. specific objectives, we will be able working relationship, including:
Getting stakeholder involvement to define the target and know when objectives, assumptions, definitions,
and conducting analysis, helps we ve hit it. general description of work, work
ensure success. It is much easier to specifications, constraints, terms,
hit a target when you know what it Audience Analysis schedule, budget, etc.
is. For a sense of reality, we will Audience Analysis entails
use the example of converting interviewing past, present and Project Plan - description of how
facilitated classroom training into future learners to gain insights. we will meet your goals, objectives
an interactive multimedia program. We will talk with users and trainees and specifications

Needs Assessment
Needs Assessment helps to clearly
explain the problem, identify the
audience, ascertain the actual
situation, determine optimal
conditions, discover the challenges
or barriers to achieving the optimal
(different levels within the targeted Content Outline - organized
markets) to determine: What must description of what will be re-used
be on tape, in print and/or on the and what will be created
computer for the training to be
Flowchart - visual depiction of
effective? Under what conditions
entire program, it maps out
would using a new program be
connections among elements
optimal? How do (or will) you know
you got it? What worked and what
Storyboards - initial designs Developers follow these principles 5) Mastery Of Learning: the
showing colors, fonts, layouts, and processes in order to create instruction won’t move on until the
navigation tools, etc. successful interactive multimedia student has mastered the lesson.
projects.
Rapid Prototype - a model of the 6) Increased Retention: the
finished program with sample Benefits of Multimedia reinforcement of the interactive
designs for approval From an International Television lessons increases learning.
Convert Media Assets - stills, Association article with case 7) Increased Safety: the
graphics, audio, video, etc. turned studies highlighting the technology allows exploration of
into usable digital files effectiveness of multimedia (and ’dangerous’ subjects which would be
other media) in different difficult or impossible in the
Usability Testing - to get feedback
situations. (As referenced in the classroom.
from people who would be actually
using the program Digital Video Professionals 8) Increased Motivation: the
Association s listserv - Sept. 00) responsive feedback and individual
Programming - creating source the benefits of multimedia: involvement makes the student a
code linking design elements to more willing participant.
match the approved technical and 1) Reduced Learning Time: Self-
functional specifications Paced, Immediate Interaction, 9) Increased Access: student
Feedback And Personalized instruction is not confined to times
Digital Prototype - a working Instruction Can Reduce Training when the instructor is available.
model used for testing and Time 50% (avg.)
evaluation purposes 10) Learners Enjoy Interactive
2) Reduced Costs/Student: in the Learning
Quality Assurance - testing to classroom, the major expense is
verify everything looks and works delivery, i.e., the instructor’s salary. 11) Efficient, Effective, Flexible
the way it s supposed to Federal express expects to save
more than $100 million by using an Jim Staylor is an award-winning
Software licensing agreement - if scriptwriter/producer and the
a CD-ROM is delivered with interactive system.
owner of Staylor-Made
QuickTime or HTML, for example, 3) Instructional Consistency Communications in San Diego.
third party vendors may require a (800) 711-6699,
separate licensing fee per unit 4) Privacy: the student avoids
embarrassment, and the ’patience’ of www.staylor-made.com
Gold Master disk - final version the interactive system encourages
used to duplicate or replicate the the student to ask questions. © copyright 2002 Staylor-Made
CD-ROM or DVD copies. Communications, Inc.