Intriguing Possibilities  

A track matte is a simple (but somewhat hidden) masking technique that you can use in Adobe Premiere and After Effects. You may be surprised to learn how versatile it is, and your audience will think you've gone p

Shuster, Robert. Adobe Magazine (1998). Design>Multimedia>Video

Introduction to After Effects

As a broadcast designer, I'm constantly using Adobe After Effects. Broadcast designers are the people who create TV show openings, bumpers, interstitials, station IDs, corporate IDs, etc. And since After Effects became available, no type or logo on TV is ever stationary. Even low-budget commercials and TV programs now have fancy graphics. Broadcast design used to be a very expensive form of art - companies like RG/A and Pittard Sullivan were the only ones who could afford the equipment to do this kind of stuff. Now this technology is the hands of smaller companies and individuals. After Effects has democratized the whole market.

Suematsu, Dyske. Webmonkey (1999). Design>Multimedia>Video

Introduction to Information Film, Video and Multimedia Script Design  

In this all-day seminar we'll explore the basic concepts in the grammar and syntax of kinetic sight-and-sound media: film, video, and multimedia (motion media). We'll not discuss how to write scipts. Rather we'll concentrate on learning how to encode information into kinetic visual images using filmic design techniques. Throughout this seminar we'll view and critique award-wining films and videos, and explore a multimedia flowchart to see how others have applied suchfilmic techniques to solve specific communication problems.

Shelton, S. Martin 'Marty'. STC Proceedings (1998). Design>Multimedia

Introduction to Information Film, Video and Multimedia Script Design  

In this seminar we’ll explore the basic concepts in the grammar and syntax of kinetic sight-and-sound media: film, video, and multimedia (motion media). We’ll not discuss how to write scipts. Rather we’ll concentrate on learning how to encode information into kinetic visual images using filmic design techniques. Throughout this seminar we’ll view and critique award-wining films and videos, and explore a multimedia flowchart to see how others have applied such filmic techniques to solve specific communication problems.

Shelton, S. Martin 'Marty'. STC Proceedings (1999). Presentations>Multimedia>Writing

Is Flash Too Flash?

Amongst Internet developers, Macromedia Flash is certainly something of a hot potato. On the one hand, many designers see Flash as a powerful multimedia tool that encourages originality and dynamism on the otherwise 'static' web. Proponents of usability, on the other hand, have argued that the presence of Flash on a website is a 'usability disease', '99% bad' and have even branded it as 'evil'. They ask the obvious question: why do the biggest, most well known and profitable websites in the world decide against using Flash? However, the reality is that although Flash presents many usability issues, it is not inherently unusable. It can be used to create usable websites - but this requires designers to follow strict implementation guidelines.

Gaine, Frank. Frontend Infocentre (2000). Design>Multimedia>Software>Flash

Is The Web On TV An Oxymoron?

The convergence of the web and television throws up numerous challenges for usability engineers. As more and more of the population choose to access the Internet through their television (usually via set-top boxes and with the assistance of television remote controls), optimizing web pages for use on these devices becomes a priority. These issues tend to be exacerbated by inherent differences between the two technologies. For instance, television is usually thought of as 'lean-back' technology, whereas the computer is seen as 'lean-forward' technology. Television viewers on average sit more than 9 feet away from their sets, whereas computer users are usually within 13 inches of their monitors. Television viewers are accustomed to being passive and having information presented to them. Computer use requires more active interaction and maximizes user initiative. It is possible that the fundamental conflict between these modes of operation will mean that web-on-television is doomed to failure. But, in the meantime, what can be done to ensure high quality user-experience when viewing the web on TV?

Gaine, Frank. Frontend Infocentre (2001). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Web Browsers

Is Your Multimedia Script "Listenable"?  

Recommends improving multimedia scripts by limiting the use of acronyms, passives, and abstractions.

Cohen, Gerald. Intercom (2000). Design>Multimedia>Writing

Jump into Digital Video for Multimedia   

Digital video (DV) is relatively easy and inexpensive to produce and has an expanding role in technical communication. It is a powerful media for communication and can be included in favorite online formats such as WinHelp, HTML help, Acrobat (PDF), and web pages, as well as training presentations produced with tools such as Asymmetrix Toolbook and Macromedia Authorware. Delivery of DV spans a range of electronic media including CD, DVD, and the Internet. New technology offers the potential to synchronize the presentation of video, audio, and other multimedia forms. This paper introduces DV concepts. It gives practical tips for investing in DV equipment and producing video and audio.

Robbins, David B., Kathleen Wyrwas and Alice Davinich. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Documentation>Multimedia>Video

Knowledge By Design  

Knowledge by design (KBD) is an instructional paradigm for the emerging digital technologies. This nascent paradigm entails an integrated, triarchic informationmedia-interactivity model of a robust, learner-centered experience. High-performance computer platforms, inexpensive mass storage, and high bandwidth data transfer from fiber optics and orbiting satellites—are converging with the global Internet to transform the nature of the 'infosphere.' At the same time, powerful off-the-shelf multimedia tools are widely available and affordable to courseware developers and communication designers. Approaching knowledge as a design discipline may facilitate the thoughtful development of a postmodern pedagogy that can more closely realize both the technological and human potential of the next millenium.

Lasnik, Vincent E. STC Proceedings (1999). Presentations>Education>Online>Multimedia

Leadership in Collaboration: Film Making and Interaction Design

There are useful parallels between making films and making web sites or software products. We'd be wise to study how they manage creativity, and how our divisions of effort, and means of collaberation, compare and contrast.

Berkun, Scott. UIWeb (2002). Design>Collaboration>Interactive>Multimedia

Learn SMIL with a SMIL

On this website are some examples of SMIL, a language like HTML, where with a simple text editor, anybody in the world can communicate their ideas as effectively as a Television commercial. SMIL 1.0 allows you to create the areas for media objects and then determine when to play them. SMIL 2.0 adds interactivity, transitions. XHTML + SMIL give SMIL 2.0 abilities to XHTML elements.

Ramirez, Jose. EmpireNet (1999). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>SMIL

Lessons Learned From Instructional Design Theory: an Application in Management Education    

Given that many doctoral programs do not provide extensive training on how to present course information in the classroom, the current paper looks to educational psychology theory and research for guidance. Richard Mayer and others' copious empirical work on effective and ineffective instructional design, along with relevant research findings in cognitive science, are summarized and adapted to the management education context. The goal of this article is to enhance instructors' ability to effectively relay course material and to offer specific advice for how instructors can implement prior research findings.

Burke, Lisa A. Business Communication Quarterly (2007). Articles>Education>Instructional Design>Multimedia

Localizing Multimedia

Multimedia localization is a slow process. It's complicated and, technically, very challenging. It can also be very costly. Based upon the size of the applet, it costs five times as much as routine localization. It is also subject to mavericks, which means no two companies do the same thing; and no two developers in the same company do the same thing. That means every time you take the puzzle apart, it's a brand new task. A company which produced numerous products and had them developed by third-party developers or different teams within its own company, creates a different puzzle each time for you to take apart.

O'Leary, Glyn. SDL International (1998). Design>Language>Localization>Multimedia

Looking to Cinema for Direction: Incorporating Motion into On-screen Presentations of Technical Information    

To help technical communicators become better informed producers of interactive new media productions, this article examines how motion can be used properly to create effective interactive information systems for the computer screen. This article provides a brief analysis of how cinema works and then demonstrates how a number of cinema techniques influence new media production. The article then concludes by offering suggestions for how to effectively apply a few basic cinema techniques directly to technical communication practice.

Gillette, David. Technical Communication Online (2005). Articles>Presentations>Multimedia

Low-Cost Multimedia: Multimedia You Can Use  

You do not need multimedia. Unless you have to explain complex, abstract concepts to busy people. Unless you have to convince skeptical, sometimes hostile, readers. Unless you have to communicate to those who cannot see or hear. Or cannot read your language perfectly. Or who refuse to read. But multimedia is an easy way to waste a lot of money in a hurry. This workshop is not about how to waste money. It is about how multimedia lets skillful communicators communicate better. The secret? Guts not glitz.

Horton, William K. III. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Multimedia

Low-End Media for User Empowerment

Fancy media on websites typically fails user testing. Simple text and clear photos not only communicate better with users, they also enhance users' feeling of control and thus support the Web's mission as an instant gratification environment.

Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2003). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Usability

Lumiere Ghosting and the New Media Classroom  

Refocusing courses around the structure of narrative and how they use theatrical forms of interaction in the presentation of complex online help and instructional systems

Gilette, David, John Elsdon and Enrica Lovaglio. Kairos (2005). Articles>Education>Multimedia

Macromedia Flash: A New Hope for Web Applications  

Some new, cutting-edge applications have demonstrated Flash's potential to surpass the power of traditional software applications. These web applications leverage the strengths of Flash to help users make better sense of large amounts of data, presenting information in an easily accessible, graphical visual representation. In this white paper, we will explore how Flash can help developers easily build the next generation of web applications. We will also look at several new applications that have recently appeared on the scene and talk about how they leverage the benefits of Flash.

Perfetti, Christine and Jared M. Spool. User Interface Engineering (2004). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

Magic iMovie

Introduces how to use iMovie 5's 'Magic iMovie' feature to capture video from camcorder and record to DVD.

Jennings, Stephanie and Jennifer Phillips. Studio for New Media (2006). Articles>Multimedia>Software>Video

Major Features of Flash

Macromedia Flash is primarily an animation development application. Its feature-set includes such things as vector-based drawing, Web animations and interactive effects. Drawing is required for animation, which in turn is part of interactive effects.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2002). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

Making the Invisible Visible: Process, Inspiration and Practice for the New Media Designer

Hillman Curtis' minimalist approach to design also appears to be his approach to writing. In just a few words he captures the essence of what it means to be a New Media designer and what it takes to push into unknown territory.

MacLaughlin, Steve. Boxes and Arrows (2002). Design>Multimedia>Writing>Minimalism

Making the Leap  

Increasingly, designers and publishers are finding themselves thrust into the world of 'new media.' Here's an overview of what to expect.

Larkin, James. Adobe Magazine (1995). Careers>Multimedia>TC

Making Your First Video: A Case Study  

This paper summarizes the fundamentals learned in writing a script and helping to coordinate the production of a medium- to high-quality motivational video. New to this experience, our team worked hand-in-hand with an experienced video production company. Our video served as a companion to an environmental guidebook. The primary purpose of the video was to inspire viewers to read and make use of the guidebook in their work.

Medved, Jane E. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Multimedia>Video

The Many Faces of MPEG-4

There's a lot of confusion about what MPEG-4 is and isn't, just as there are many questions as to what it's going to be used for.

Waggoner, Ben. 3Dgate (2001). Design>Multimedia>Video>Standards

Marshall McLuhan's Message for Multimedia  

Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) was more than the person of his times who coined the famous popular term 'the medium is the message.' He was also an influential thinker whose views on media are even more relevant today than they were in the 1960s. McLuhan’s ideas about 'hot' and 'cool' technologies, the power and limitations of various media, the psychological landscape of communication, and the global village are very relevant for today’s technical communicators. They contribute important ideas to the historical roots of multimedia, and as such, they are part of an evolving theoretical foundation for technical communication.

Shirk, Henrietta Nickels. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Multimedia>Theory