The word "Multimedia" simply means being able to communicate in more than one way. This means that, whether you are aware of it or not, you already give multimedia presentations. For example if you rub your temples while telling someone you have a headache or when you point to a diagram on a board whilst speaking to a class of students you are using multimedia to get your point across. In this instance you are using movement in conjunction with sound.

So multimedia is all about communicating in several ways.

For example the computer you are using to view this material is capable of flashing text and beeping when there is a problem. It is already a multimedia computer - anything else is a matter of degree. In other words the more capable your computer is at handling sound, video and graphics the better your multimedia packages will look.

Originally the term multimedia was used by institutions who run distance learning courses in which they deliver content via a combination of text, TV, telephone, audio cassette and the radio. So the idea of using multimedia for education is not new. What is new is the way in which we now use computers to bring these things together. The advent of high resolution screens and sound and video playback facilities for computers has resulted in the increased use of multimedia applications for education.

A typical multimedia application is characterized by the following features

The two main benefits to multimedia are Clarity and Interaction

Images, animation and video can be used very effectively to emphasize a point. A picture can speak a thousand words, so the saying goes (just make sure that it is saying the right words). By combining a number of media together you can make the overall effect much more appealing. This helps to maintain the attention of your target audience. Video in particular has a very powerful effect on people, lending a perceived credibility to your message which is often otherwise missing. This is thanks, in part, to the saturation of television in modern culture.

As mentioned earlier, interactivity allows the end user to concentrate on the areas of most interest to them without having to wade through extraneous material. People do not tend to think in a linear fashion, but rather tend to jump from point to point and not necessarily in any discernible order. If your product caters well to the non-linear thought processes of your target audience then it becomes more user friendly and consequently more successful. Interactivity, if implemented correctly, can also provide users with the ability to query the information provided to them, asking for further clarity or requesting related information.

We are a digital media communications company, providing one-stop, comprehensive digital media solutions for all business communication needs. We make the digital media work for your business.

 Whether you want to generate more sales, make a business-to-business presentation, train and motivate your employees, or build your brand through the online media, we will help you successfully address these challenging tasks.