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In the site, http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/99/26/index1a.html?tw=multimedia
Francis Preve’s article on Hot Multimedia Tips, he emphasized that, “As
web designers, we don’t want to get caught flat-footed when all our favorite
videographers, record producers, and best boys start setting up camp in our
backyard. After all, aren’t these some of the folks who inspired us in
the first place?”
In his article, he polled the best and brightest web developers and designers
at HotWired, together with some other creative types. It is an attempt to get
a handle on several secret techniques they use to create effective audio, video,
and animation on the Web. Thus, in a compilation, he gathered together a must
–read assortment of tips, tricks, and general wisdom, guaranteed to help
maximize your multimedia efforts.
The assortment of tips and tricks come from Anna Macmillan, Designer, Hotwired;
Taylor, Technologist/Former Hotwiredite; Craig Schwartz, associate producer,
hotwired; Michael Kay, interface Developer, Hotwired; Steve Mack, Co-creative
Director, RealNetworks, and; Francis Preve, program director for NemeSys Music
Technology. Each person mentioned had given their own practical tips and techniques
depending on the area of their expertise. Some had also given us some general
multimedia techniques for us to feel undaunted once taking on the world of digital
technology – web and graphic design and/or animation. Don’t get too
excited, though, while these tips are given by various multimedia experts, browsing
through and knowing their theories won’t make you a multimedia expert overnight.
All in all, the article contained some 30 or so tips and techniques, and after
going through it, we have bunched up the many theories these experts have in
common. Now, these are the ones you really should pay attention to.
-Using the right tool for the job – choose your web weapons wisely, from
among the selections of audio and animation options. For low-brandwidth, high-impact
animation, Flash is an excellent choice. Meanwhile, stick to QuickTime and RealVideo
for best results in working with video. For audio, MP3 tops all downloading
high-res, full-length compositions.
-Keeping your audience in mind as you work – since you are creating for
a target audience, then always put on top of everything else what they are waiting
for from you. Have a care for your viewer’s brandwidth capacity and balance
technical flashiness. Your work’s content must always jibe on what’s
accessible for your audience.
-Avoiding interactivity – unless you’re designing a very interesting
interactive game, try to keep interactivity of your visual design for your users
to an all time low. Remember that television and movies are still the standards
for real-time visual entertainment. For many, being passively engaged is a source
of relaxation…Thus, by keeping your audience inactive, just looking on,
understanding and getting them enthralled throughout will prevent them from
clicking away from your ‘site.’
There you go, folks, no matter what your medium you use, as long as you stick
to these principles, it might help for your creations and should keep your priorities
on top of everything else.-30-
For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.ucreative.com
About the Author:
Lala C. Ballatan is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate. Book reading
has always been her greatest passion -- mysteries, horrors, psycho-thrillers,
historical documentaries and classics.
Her writing prowess began as early as she was 10 years old in girlish diaries.
With writing, she felt freedom – to express her viewpoints and assert it,
to bring out all concerns -- imagined and observed, to bear witness. |
