THE RULES

OF MULTIMEDIA:
KNOWING
THE STANDARDS
“Multimedia
magnifies our
creativity and
imagination.”
What is Multimedia?
• Multimedia is an interactive
media and provides multiple
ways to represent
information to the users in a
powerful manner.
• It provides interaction between
users and digital information.
• It is a means/medium of
communication.
 Purpose
of Multimedia
Multimedia is used to represent information
more attractively.

To illustrate concepts and ideas through

pictures, audio, or video.

Multimedia is used to present animations

and visualization of concepts.

To require interactive participation.

Multimedia increases learning
effectiveness and improves personal
communication.

Multimedia gives information to individuals

and provides high-quality presentations.

Multimedia increases creativity and gives

a wide variety of support.
What are the 5
types/
components
of multimedia?
1. Text
• Text is most commonly used to
communicate information.
• It has alphanumeric characters, in
addition to special characters.
• It involves the use of text types,
sizes, fonts, colors, and
background colors.
• Multimedia applications support
linked content, through Hypertext.
• Text in SMS, FAX, and Email are
examples of this element in
Communication.
Is this a
sample of a
text or not?
YES or NO?

YES
• Common file types include; TXT, DOC, DOCX,
PDF…
2. Images
• Images/Illustrations are the oldest
form of media
• They help to illustrate ideas through
pictures.
• There are two types of images -
Bitmaps and Vector
• Bitmap images are real images that
can be captured from devices such
as cameras.
• Vector graphics are created using
software on the computer.
• This multimedia element enables to
generate, represent, process,
manipulate, and display of pictures.
Is this a
sample of an
image or not?
YES or NO?

NO

• Common file types for images include: JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP
3. Audio
• The speech, music, and sound
effects used in multimedia are digital
audio.
• Multimedia applications use audio or
the sound element like website or
presentations can add audio files
from a musical background, or a
voiceover / spoken explanation.
• There are two basic types of audio
or sound; analog and digital.
• The original sound signal is termed
Analog audio.
• The digital sampling of the original
sound is termed Digital audio.
Is this a
sample of
audio or not?
YES or NO?

YES

• Common file types for Audio include: MP3, WAV, WMA

4. Video
• Video presents moving pictures and
typically combines images and
sound for a multimedia experience.
• This technology records,
synthesizes, and displays images
known as frames in such sequences
at a fixed speed that makes the
creation appear as moving; this is
how we see a completely developed
video.
• To watch a video without any
interruption, the video device must
display 25 to 30 frames/second.
Is this a
sample of a
video or not?
YES or NO?

YES

• Common file types for Video include AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV,
MP4
5. Animation
• Animation is the process of making
a static image look as if it is moving.
• It helps in creating, developing,
sequencing, and displaying a set of
images technically known as
frames.
• Digital animation can be classified
as 2D (Two-dimensional) and 3D
(Three-dimensional) animations.
• GIFs, an abbreviation for graphic
image files, are small files that
present a single image or rapidly
display a sequence of a few images
to give the appearance of motion.
Is this a
sample of
animation or
not? YES or
NO?
YES

• Common file types for Animation include: GIF, FLV

Standard Rules
of Multimedia
 General Standards
Simplicity in Considering unity
Clarity in
designing each between visual
presenting
element of the and audio
multimedia.
multimedia. elements.

Consistency in Integrating all

Diversity in using
multimedia elements of
multimedia.
screen designs. multimedia.

Interactivity Balancing the use Efficiency in

between of multimedia using one
multimedia within the same multimedia
elements. screen. screen.
Standards for using colors
1. Using color for a particular purpose.
2. Avoid unnecessary colors.
3. Using colors to differentiate between
colors.
4. Using different colors to present the title.
5. Connecting related elements using
colors.
6. Coloring some symbols of words to
facilitate the search for a particular topic.
Standards for using colors
7. Avoid exaggeration in colorless use.
8. Use special colors for keywords, another color
for titles, and a different color for notes.
9. Avoid glaring/ striking/ neon colors.
10. Avoid putting contrasting colors next to each
other.
11. Consider the variability in color between the
background and other elements.
12. Avoid the use of clear colors such as glaring
red, and neon colors in long texts.
13. Consider color blindness.
Illustrations and photographs:
1. Use on maps, geometric drawings, and
abstract symbols.
2. Using colors in drawing to indicate a
particular "using red to indicate blood."
3. Use the third dimension of possibilities.
4. Use a map key.
5. Considering the natural percentages.
6. Use cartoons
Illustrations and photographs:
7. Similarity between the natural form and the
illustrations presented to in the same form.
8. Avoid the use of unnecessary images and
drawings.
9. Use photographs for more reality.
10. Avoid the use of filtered images.
11. Avoid exaggeration in the photo size and
photographic images.
Cartoons:
1. Use cartoons to express moving or changing
objects.
2. Use cartoons to present a process consisting of
stages.
3. Express abstract concepts.
4. For stimulation and virtual reality environments.
5. To explain long situations that are hard to record
using video.
6. To express situations that happened in the past and
were not recorded.
Cartoons
7. Avoid exaggerating the use of colors inside
the drawings.
8. If the textual commentary is used, it is
preferred to integrate it with the drawings.
9. Cartoons may be used as feedback.
10. If we wish to highlight an element, it is
preferred to show it as a cartoon.
11. Three dimensional drawings may be used.
Video clips
1. To show skills and events depending on
motion.
2. Immediate feedback.
3. Not exaggerating the use of video clips as
they need a large storage capacity.
4. Video clips must focus on moving, not stable,
situations.
5. The right angle for shooting must be selected
to show the audience the material appropriately.
6. Considering the resolution of the video clips
Using vocal sound
1. Sound is the main tool for attracting audience.
2. Sound is used to send explanatory
messages.
3. Sound is used in the feedback.
4. Sound is used in the reinforcement.
5. To comment on lessons.
6. Not exaggerating in the use of sound.
7. Clarity of race sound.
Using vocal sound
8. Correct and meaningful vocal language.
9. The sound must be related to what is
shown on the screen.
10. To motivate audience.
11. To add value to the cartoon elements.
12. Avoiding the use of echo.
Sound effects
1. Used in reinforcement to indicate correct and wrong
answers.
2. Giving warning signs.
3. Convincing the audience about the learning
environment.
4. Appropriate with the sounds used.
5. Not exaggerating in the use of sound effects.
6. They are quick stimuli.
7. Natural sounds must accompany sound effects.
8. If the sound effects were accompanied by vocal
commentary, the sound effects must be finer
in tone than the vocal sound.
9. Echo is not preferred
Music use
1. Music is used in reinforcement.
2. Music is may be used as a background for the
learning situations.
3. When used as reinforcement, music must be limited
to tow tones: one for the correct answer
and the other for the wrong answer.
4. Music is used as a background to connect differently
5. Music must appear and disappear gradually.
6. It is preferred to use midi music files.
7. When reinforcement or something important
appears on the screen the music must disappear.
“An essential aspect
of creativity is not
being afraid to fail.”
-Edwin Land