2.

0 Multimedia Development Process

Lesson Introduction

In the previous lesson you have learned the main elements of multimedia, tools
and their content organizations. When considering the multimedia title
development, it consists of various activities, roles and resources. These activity
organization has to be done with engineered approach where it is to cater larger
target groups of audience. Normally, multimedia products take a long time to be
produced. Therefore, there should be a careful planning before initiating ideas
into a product. There are a lot of processes and considerations involved during
multimedia development. During this week students will learn the main stages of
multimedia development. Students will be able to comprehend the use of
methodical approach in design and development of multimedia content.

Learning Outcomes:
After completion of this lesson, the learner will be able to explain the use
stages and design concepts of multimedia content.
§ Describe the stages of multimedia development process
§ Analyze multimedia title requirement
§ Describe multimedia design concepts
§ Apply multimedia development process approaches according to the
type of multimedia title

Lesson Outline:
§ Multimedia development process
§ Multimedia content types
§ Multimedia design concepts
§ Requirements analysis of multimedia content
§ Multimedia system design
2.1 Stages of Multimedia Development Process

Basically, the process of multimedia development can be arranged in to four

stages. However, it is worth to mention that it can be considered as a cyclic
process as well. Many educational software development approaches were
governed by ADDIEA model where Analyze, Design, Develop, Integrate, Evaluate
and Analyze model. The continuous improvement influenced by this model should
be appreciated and could be used for many multimedia development projects.

Fig. 2.1. ADDIE Model

When considering the basic four stages of the development process, following
stages are prominent.

• Planning and Costing

• Designing and Producing
• Testing
• Delivering
2.2 Planning and Costing

The success of intended multimedia application will heavily depend on knowledge

of the target audiences’ needs and expectation. Therefore, planning to fulfill the
desired expectation of the target audience is a key.

The idea or theme identification emerge through various sources including

yourself as a development member. Some great ideas may not come to you at
first glance, it will emerge through a great effort. The easiest way to generate an
idea is to get a group of people together and have a brainstorming session. The
purpose of a brainstorming session is to get as many ideas as possible. However,
critically analyze several factors which will have a big impact on the targeted
project.

In the planning stage it is advisable to follow step by step approach in

accomplishing the objectives of the multimedia application right.

• Develop the concept or idea – a multimedia project starts with an idea that
supports a vision as we discussed earlier.

• State the purpose (goals and objectives) – what do you want to

accomplish? It may be as message or communication with the audience.

• Identify the target audience – who will use the title (multimedia
application)?

• Determine the treatment – how the title will be presented to the user?

• Develop the specifications – what does the title include, and does it work?

• Storyboard and Navigation – what do the screens look like and how are
they linked?
Most multimedia applications do the planning by focusing on delivery. In this
context, the scope, target audience, and content play a major role.

Scope: There is a need to define the scope or boundary of project. It is vital to

have a scope in addition to the objective set to balance the idea. Examples: Time
frame to develop multimedia title, the required knowledge and skills, application
organization, etc.

Target Audience: The definition of the target audience is one of the most
important factors when design the application. It gives the background of the
application users or information recipient. Content designers and developers
should know whom the application is developed. Therefore, the background
research about the target audience will affect the complexity of the design. In the
background study the following factors are to be Considered:
• Age group
• Knowledge or educational background
• Technological background
• Language
• Gender
• Economical background
• Profession

Content: The most important aspect of the multimedia application is content or

information that present the idea. It will determine the size of the project. The
content is related to the cost and time to develop the application. It is important
to know depth and breadth of information that want to present. Content
production depends on the reusability of existing resources or the creation of new
materials. Content analysis needed to be done by considering the following
factors : Obtaining rights to use existing resources, Digitizing pictures, audio, and
video and creation of media assets including text, graphics, audio effects and
animation.
There should be balance between the content and the expectations of the
audience.
2.2.1 Cost Estimation

Multimedia title development requires estimation of costs and effort. Multimedia

application development may be different from one to another with respect to
their tools and presentation approaches. As a general rule, there are three
elements that can vary in project estimates, those are time, money and people.

Multimedia technology require management of various development

environments, set of skills and people. Most of the time, multimedia project
involves a lot of people in production. Each person has their specialized role play
in the project. The list below provides some example roles of multimedia team:

Project Manager: Project manager is the leader of a project. S/he is Responsible

for overall development and implementation of the project as well as day to day
operations. S/he should be strong in both technical and management aspect of
the project.

Multimedia Designer: Deals with visual aspects of the project including graphic
design, illustration, animation, interface design and image processing. S/he is
responsible of maintaining the flow of the information, clear and consistent
navigation including story boarding.

Video specialist: Focus on the video production including shooting, capturing and
editing video as part of the multimedia project.

Audio specialist: Focus on the audio production including recording sound,

producing music, voice-over narration, and sound effects.

Multimedia programmer: Responsible for integrating all the multimedia elements

using authoring system or programming language to create a functioning and
useful multimedia applications.
 Activity 2.1
Plan a multimedia title to be developed with the following properties.
• Idea, goal and objectives
• Target Audience
• Medium of delivery and play
• Roles needed for the development team
• Tools and Equipment

2.3 Multimedia Design

Multimedia Developer has to use the underlying principles in designing

application systems to convey the information using several media assets.

2.3.1 Using design principles

Thera are fundamental design principles which can be applied to various

multimedia component designs. Extended description for this content can be
found in the given link below with examples.

Balance - The ability to arrange all the elements with equal emphasis that no part
is overpowering.

Harmony - The blending of media elements to create an integrated presentation.

Emphasis - The ability to highlight and attract attention of audience.

Movement - The way the viewer’s eye moves around and through any design
layout

Rhythm/ Pattern - Repeating of fundamental elements that helps add balance and
harmony to the whole to create pattern.
Contrast - Purposeful changes in elements and principles to add interest and
emphasis

Hierarchy / Proportion – Arrangement of the content elements according to their

importance with relevant level of emphasis.

A short video on principles of design can be seen by the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK86XQ1iFVs

2.3.2 Design Process

Once the requirements and goals of the multimedia product is established, the
Content Definition has to be obtained from the planning stage. Before starting the
design process, based on the previous stage output, Content Outline has to be
created. The content outlining opens the pathway to start the design with the
following stages.

• Logic Flow Definition

• Navigation Mapping
• Storyboarding

The completion of above steps with design principles will gives the entrance to
the Implementation stage. A detailed multimedia development process can be
seen in the following diagram.
 Fig. 2.2. Detailed Development Process

A logical arrangement of the content and organization of flow of the content is to

be arranged properly.

2.3.3 Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a powerful and simple technique for organizing ideas about the
form and presentation of a system. When considering video production, a
storyboard is created representing the different shots that will be linked together
to form the scene. Sometimes, it may be series of sketches. A series of such
drawings can be linked together to illustrate the links and transitions between
screens. This provides a navigational structure, for the presentation itself. The
Storyboard actually begins life in the description of the goals of the project itself.
From this information an initial specification can be developed.
 Fig. 2.3. Storyboard example (from Multimedia Concepts – James Shuman)

2.3.4 Navigational Mapping

A navigational map, or site map, can be combined with a logical flow definition, or
can form a separate component of the design, depending on the type of
presentation. The navigation map will outline the links between the scenes or
content components, essentially defining the structure of the story that the
presentation will tell.

Fig. 2.4. Navigation Example (from Multimedia Concepts – James Shuman)

2.3.5 Script Writing

Multimedia application script shares the properties of movie or TV scripts. It

provides complete details in textual form. Scripts may incorporate some graphics,
Sketches of positioning, incorporate narration text and dialogues
Guidelines:
• Divide the script into small screens
• Number screens sequence
• Be detailed and explicit, indicating all media and interactivity
• Use enthusiastic conversational tone and active voice sentences
• Exercises should provide feedback for both correct and incorrect choices
• Indicate how to obtain audience attention
• Designing for Interactivity

2.4. Implementation and Production

Implementation of multimedia application depends on the storyboard and the

script. Based on the storyboard, the media assets are to be identified and
elements are to be developed. Then the implementation is totally depending on
authoring process. So, the multimedia asset capturing or development to be done
prior to the authoring.

2.4.1 Authoring Multimedia Productions

An author of a written publication faces the challenge of putting together a group

of words, sentences and paragraphs to form a cohesive thought. Multimedia
application implementation depends proper orchestration it through authoring
software, or software is used to develop a 'story' and coordinating the various
media elements & types into a production. In this stage, there are various
hardware and software tools and equipment’s to be employed.
Role of Hardware Devices:

• Capturing devices
o To obtain media elements and assets such as audio, video and
images
• Processing devices
o To process the captured media elements
o These devices need special high-performance features as multimedia
elements are consist with high volume, density, speed, and variety
• Playing devices
o To play the media with relevant performance
o These devices need special high-performance features as multimedia
elements are consist with high volume, density, speed, and variety
• Distribution devices
o Based on the type of distribution medium (CD, DVD, online,
Broadcast etc.), there is a need of use of distribution devises such as
servers, network devices, copying devices etc.

Authoring programs allow producing the content with graphical painting, text &
animation tools, design screen layouts using templates, create interactivity,
incorporate text, sound, video, animation & graphics, create hyperlinks. Authoring
software allows to take previously-prepared graphics (2D and 3D), sounds,
animation and movies, and place them under the control of one software
program which allows to take control of them. The external files don't necessarily
become a part of the authoring software, but rather are controlled by the
authoring software, as an example, digital movies are huge files, when a movie is
integrated into the multimedia application, it is usually linked to the original file,
not re-created. The programming aspects related to multimedia authoring
software usually refer to simple commands, or visual elements that allow the
developer to orchestrate the previously prepared files. Most authoring software
usually offer either scripting options in a timeline format, or icon-based
interfaces.
2.4.2 Multimedia Authoring Metaphors

Scripting Language Metaphor: use a special language to enable interactivity

(buttons, mouse, etc.), and to allow conditionals, jumps, loops, functions/macros
etc.
Eg: ActionScripts, Lingo Scripts, AWScripts

Slide Show Metaphor: A linear presentation by default, although tools exist to

perform jumps in slide shows
Example: MS PowerPoint

Hierarchical Metaphor: User-controllable elements are organized into a tree

structure often used in menu-driven applications.

Iconic/Flow-control Metaphor: Graphical icons are available in a toolbox, and

authoring proceeds by creating a flowchart with icons attached presentation
software Presentation software is included alongside traditional authoring
software as it typically now includes sophisticated features, such as interactivity,
branching and acceptance of a variety of media types Iconic/flow-control
Metaphor.
Example: Authorware

Frames Metaphor: Like Iconic/Flow-control Metaphor, however links between

icons are more conceptual, rather than representing the actual flow of the
program.
Card/Scripting Metaphor: Uses a simple index-card structure - easy route to
producing applications that use hypertext or hypermedia used in schools.
Examples: Hypercard, Supercard.

Cast/Score/Scripting Metaphor: Time is shown horizontally; like a spreadsheet.

Rows, or tracks, represent instantiations of characters in a multimedia
production. Multimedia elements are drawn from a cast of characters, and scripts
are basically event-procedures or procedures that are triggered by timer events.
Director by Adobe, is the chief example of this metaphor. Director uses the Lingo
scripting language, an object-oriented event-driven language.

Timeline-based authoring software: Timeline-based authoring software allow for

extremely flexible functioning in an authoring software. Typically, these programs
allow the creation and control of many external devices, such as laser disk, VCR
and audio equipment. These environments are controlled through a script that
tell the external elements what to do and when to do it. Such programs have the
ability to create, integrate and synchronize text, still graphics, animated graphics,
video and sound files.

2.5 Testing and Evaluation

Testing is an unavoidable rule in any multimedia application development. Test or

review of the application project or website is to ensure it is bug free, accurate,
operationally and visually on target, and achieving the objective or target. Testing
is not an easy process. Every feature and function must be evaluated, every action
button or link must be checked. Then the application should be run with different
hardware and under various conditions.

Testing can be done in two phases and they are usually known as alpha testing
and beta testing. This term is used to describe at which level of product
development when testing is done, and feedback is sought.

Alpha testing: In alpha testing, the product is evaluated relatively in the early
stage of the implementation phase. The application may be missing part of the
content or functionality. The main interest is to review the concept, format, user
interface and the layout. The tester may be some selected users or friends, most
often the team member themselves. They should be able to provide positive
criticism or feedback.

Beta testing: The product is evaluated just before the final release. It is a fully
functioning application and should be relative bug free. The main interest is to
find bugs or content errors. The testing done by the real users and no team
members available. The feedbacks from these users are very important where the
errors or problems reported by the beta testers have to include the detail
description of the problem.

2.6 Delivery or Distribution

Final stage of the product development is delivering or deployment. Based on the

identified delivery medium, setting of hardware, software plugins and
installations needed to be arranged. Documentation is another aspect that
especially involves in installation process. There is a necessity of providing clear
step-by-step procedure for the users to follow. The documentation also must
include the potential problem that can occur and how to solve it.

Extra References: https://gathercontent.com/blog/6-steps-creating-bulletproof-

content-production-process

Review Questions

1. Describe differences of multimedia content development approaches with

respective to the multimedia title type.

2. Describe authoring software that can use for the education and entertainment.