The use of Multimedia
- The inclusion of multimedia in webpage design must be in keeping with goals and objectives of the website. Multimedia increases the download time, so if the wait is too long, they may move to another website or be disappointed at their waste of time.
- There is a need for simplicity in design. Multimedia needs to have an intuitive interface and simple operational directions, otherwise all the effort in the creation will be wasted.
- The multimedia must suit the audience. The design and complexity of interactive multimedia used for a Prep educational site will be vastly different to a secondary or university student site.
- The multimedia element must function correctly using standard browser software.
- The multimedia should operate well using a variety of operating systems, browsers and screen sizes. Reference should be made to special plugins needed for its correct operation.
- Design of multimedia is changing. Flash content now supports metatags which aid SEO and site search.
- Flash content can be imported through linked files thus eliminating the need for all content to download before operation. This also improves quality of images.
- The user must have an element of control of the multimedia with controls to start, stop and exit. It should not distract the user or take away from the enjoyment of the website. Multimedia elements should only load when the user needs to use them.
The following two commercial websites are created using a flash interface. I have chosen both sites as they demonstrate some excellent examples of ways multimedia can enhance the website.
Activity 1.1
Site Title: Mauricio Guimaraes' Online Portfolio
http://www.mauriciostudio.com/
Sponsoring Organisation: Marucio Guimaraes
Author: Marucio Guimaraes - web designer, illustrator.
Commercial Site
Last visited: 17th July, 2009
Brief Description of the site and its contents: This is a commercial website displaying the work of the web designer, and illustrator Marucio Guimaraes. To describe it I would have to say it is "different" and very inspiring. It is an entirely Flash based website. It loads quite quickly and is very functional. It showcases his work admirably. There is no annoying noise to distract you from looking at his artistic talent and all links work quite quickly. He has interesting preloaders thoughout the site to advise you how long you will need to wait for images to load. The images are being fed into the website through linked files which cuts down on preload time and also enables the artist to choose larger size images because they are only downloaded to the website as they are used not in the initial download. By creating Flash sites in this manner, the content is stored in files to enhance SEO, an early problem of Flash content.
The website would achieve it's objective. It depicts the personality of the artist as well as showcasing his talents. As he is a web designer and looking for employment, his target audience would most probably have high speed interent connections. This website would be difficult to view on dial up modems.
Site Title: AgencyNet
http://agencynet.com/
Sponsoring Organisation: AgencyNet
Author: AgencyNet
Commercial website
Last visited: 17th July, 2009
Brief Description of the site and its contents: Another commercial example of a web designers website. This is an outstanding example of a 3D website. You actually go inside the companies building while you wait. There is such a variety of mulitmedia used in the site - almost everything you can imagine to demostrate to potential clients the skills of their web designers, however everything is tastefully done with very limited download time. Audio and video is streamed which cuts down on download time. Content is linked from external files so SEO is enhance. All links and multimedia is fuctional. The site is a little busy at times however it is very engaging and I felt like I just wanted to stay and look around at what can be done with multimedia. Again this website's target audience would most likely have high speed interent access and would be difficult to access on dial up modems.
Nel et al (ibid.) describe the optimal online experience and its implications for commercial web site design:
One of the key elements in successful commercial Web site design is that there be enjoyment on the part of the surfer during the interaction with the site. The surfer must feel in control of his/her fate, and the marketer must attempt to encourage or provide the facility for an experience that involves a sense of exhilaration, a sense of enjoyment that is cherished and becomes a landmark of how surfing or interaction should be.
References:
Nel, D., van Niekerk, R., Berthon, J-P & Davies, T. (1999) 'Going with the flow: Web sites and customer involvement' in Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp.109-116.
Activity 1.2