Multimedia Design Considerations
Multimedia software packages are usually loaded with features.
You can choose among severalc hundred colors, dozens of fonts, a
wide variety of color-coordinated templates, multiple
transitions, and many other dazzling options. Good design,
however, dictates that you carefully select what is needed from
this cornucopia of choices. In other words, just because its
there, it doesn't mean you should use it. So what should you
consider when designing a multimedia presentation?
- The purpose of any presentation is to communicate a message or
group of messages. Everything in your presentation should support
the message you are trying to convey. If a feature stands out by
distracting the viewer from the message it doesn't belong there
... no matter how cool it is! I used to have my text lines flow
onto the screen from right to left until my students told me they
found this annoying. If in doubt... leave it out!
- Make your presentations consistent. The transitions from frame
to frame should all be the same. The slide backgrounds should be
the same. Title sizes and text fonts should be the same. The use
of color to highlight or separate text should also be consistent.
We are used to reading from left to right - top to bottom,
deviating from this pattern is confusing. The trick is to use the
options available to you to visually focus the learner on your
message.
- Choosing the right font type is important for clarity. Projecting
text onto a television monitor or a five foot square screen
requires a font that is easy to read. I prefer Helvetica or Arial
fonts of at least 24 point size. These sans-serif characters
project well in both types of displays and are large enough to be
read from the back of a large lecture hall. Surround everything with lots of white space.
Example of different fonts.
- You may want to add a second font type for variety and emphasis.
Unless you are a professional graphic designer, resist the
temptation to use more than two font types.
- The visibility of your text depends upon the contrast between
the text color and the background. For screen projected images
blue and black text on a white background are easy to read. Red
can be used to highlight a single key word. Television monitors
can handle a greater range of text/background combinations.
Because of the greater color saturation you do need to watch out
for color clashing (red text on a green background).
Example using color.
- If you are using a television monitor you may want to set a mood
with your color selection by choosing among pastels, earth tones,
neon or primary colors. Look at presentations that appeal to you
and copy their color schemes.
- Many designers put too much text on the screen. Limit the number
of lines of text to six or eight. The same goes for graphic
elements. Keep the number down to two or three at most. Don't clutter the screen and remember "One main point per frame."
Example of a page that has too much text.
- Many presentation packages default to advance to the next frame
after a set number of seconds. This is a recipe for disaster.
Always build user controls into your presentations so that you
decide when the next slide appears. It is also important to be
able to back up when you want to.
- If you are using sound make sure you can adjust the volume level.
In some situations it might be important to be able to turn the
sound off.
If you are not sure about whether to include a fancy element or
not you are probably better off leaving it out. Developing
multimedia presentations can be a lot of fun. Don't get carried
away with the bells and whistles and forget that your purpose is to
focus attention on your message.
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Multimedia Design