Week1

What is Multimedia?

  • Definition: Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different forms of content.

    • Wikipedia: Defines multimedia using a combination of different content forms.

    • Merriam-Webster: Provides a specific multimedia definition.

    • Cambridge Dictionary: Describes multimedia as a combination of moving and still pictures, sound, music, and words, especially related to computers or entertainment.

  • Purpose: To express information using various methods.

Multimedia History

Pre-1800s

  • 15,000-13,000 BC: Prehistoric humans painted cave images.

  • 1041 AD: Bi Sheng invented movable type in China.

  • 1450: Johann Gutenberg introduced movable type in Europe, enabling mass book production.

  • 1702: England’s first daily newspaper published.

1800-1900

  • 1895: First motion picture created by the Lumiere brothers.

  • 1814: First photographic image achieved by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.

  • 1877: Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

1900-1940

  • 1940: Pat the Bunny published, known for interactivity.

  • 1926: The first practical television system demonstrated.

  • 1928: Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie debuted as the first cartoon with synchronized sound.

Key Events from 1940-1993

  • 1991: Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.

  • 1993: First graphical web browser, Mosaic, released.

Big Ideas for Today

  1. First Impressions Matter: Learn how sensory perception influences communication and the importance of first impressions online.

  2. Design Aesthetics: Analyze what makes one design visually appealing over another, referenced by the CRAP principles.

  3. Understanding Monitors: Explore the fundamental operation of monitors and the rendering of images.

  4. Fonts: Discuss font-choice significance and the concept of being a 'font savant'.

Design Tips

Good Design Principles (CRAP)

  • Contrast: Avoid similarity in elements; create either strong similarity or stark differences.

  • Repetition: Consistency in design elements throughout material (e.g., colors, font styles).

  • Alignment: Proper alignment strengthens the visual coherence of the design.

  • Proximity: Group related items together to imply relationships.

Specific Design Guidelines

  • Use serif fonts for readability in large texts; use sans serif fonts for headings.

  • Maintain text legibility—avoid utilizing too many font types.

  • Ensure designs have enough white space to avoid crowding.

Usage of Text on Websites

  • Text serves two primary purposes: to convey information and act as a graphical element.

  • Consider audience and application type when choosing text attributes (e.g., educational, entertainment).

  • Utilize web-safe fonts to ensure uniformity across different devices.

Font Characteristics

  • Font Types: Serif (e.g., Times New Roman) versus Sans Serif (e.g., Arial).

  • Styling Options: Adjust text using bold, italics, and underline.

  • Case Sensitivity: Use mixed case for better readability; save uppercase for headlines.

  • Font Size Measurement: Can be expressed in points, pixels, percentages, or inches, with accessibility considerations influencing choices.

  • Leading: Vertical space between text lines can affect readability; greater spacing needed for longer lines.

Effective Use of Text

  • Choose appropriate text color based on background for contrast.

  • Avoid underlining text on websites to prevent confusion with links.

  • Practice consistency in font style, color, and size throughout the website.

  • Ensure spelling and grammar are precise as mistakes can undermine credibility.