CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY 8

MODULE 8

PLANNING INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA CONTENT

What is Interactive Multimedia?

Multimedia is the integration of text, sound, graphics, animation and video into a single
unit. Interactive means that the user or audiences has control over the program or
representation.

DESIGNING IM
Designing Interactive Multimedia is critical in making these elements easy to use and
understand while at the same time creating an effective and useful program.

APPROPRIATE USES OF IM
 Games
 Education
 Training
 Information Presentation
 Simulation
 Corporate Presentation

WHAT IS INTERFACE DESIGN ?

- The interface is what connects the user to the content and helps shape the
interactive experience.
- It is everything a user sees , hears, touches and feels.
Please consider :
- Is an interactive multimedia program the best solution ?
- Who will use the program ?
- Where will the program be used ?
- Does anything like this idea already exist ?
- Are the resources available to make the program ?

RESOURCES REQUIRED
To make an Interactive Multimedia (IM) program, you will need :
1. A project management plan
2. People with knowledge and skills to help you
3. Tools – like hardware, software and production equipment
4. Subject matter and content to put into your program
5. Funding ( for commercial programs )

1. Determine the needs and goals

- What is the expected outcome ?
- What do you want the user to learn / know ?
- Tools ( set up a schedule of events ,timelines and designated tasks )
2. Learn the content
- In some cases the content of the program may not be familiar to you – learn
about the content yourself or use a subject matter expert
- Brainstorming to generate creative ideas
- Better to do this activity with a group
3. Generate ideas
- Brainstorming produces a long – list of ideas – bad ones are eliminated and
some plan / method of instructions need to be developed.
4. Storyboard
- Preparing textual and pictorial displays of each screen / scene
- Each screen should be roughly illustrated and serve the purpose of generating
further ideas.
5. Flowchart the Program
- A series of diagrams describing the flow of the program
- The flowchart will contain information about what screen leads from one to
another, what happens if a particular response is made, when does the program
end etc
6. Detailed design
- A paper based design stage where detailed information about the project and its
content is created
- Each frame is detailed including graphics, text, multimedia components,
navigation and actions
7. Program it
- Translate the storyboard / flowchart into a series of instructions on the computer
- This should be a prototype and is subjected to constant testing and debugging

- END -
 CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY 8
Worksheet No. 8

QUESTIONS :

a. In your own opinion, what is interactive multimedia? (5 pts)

( Nos. 1 – 5 )

b. What are the sources required in Interactive Multimedia?

( Nos. 6 – 10 )