What is Multimedia?

Multimedia is the use of a computer or other technological device, to create, present and combine text, graphics, audio, and video with links and tools that let the user navigate, interact, create, and communicate with various types of media.

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Text, image, audio, video, and animation are the five multimedia elements. The first multimedia element is text. Text is the most common multimedia element. The text expresses the information the developer is trying to get across to their viewers. Even though pictures grab the viewers’ attention, the text is a good idea to include, as well, just in case the picture does not load.

 

The second multimedia element is an image. An image catches the viewers’ attention much more quickly than just plain, old text. Almost every multimedia application contains images. The most common images are JPEGS and PNGs. Also, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Paint.NET create high tech visual effects which are common with images.

 

The third multimedia element is audio. Most of the time, audio files are deployed using plug-in media players. A few audio formats include RealAudio, MIDI, Wave, WMA, and MP3. The developer will compress the format to shorten the time. Before the file is downloaded, one can stream the audio.

 

The fourth multimedia element is video. The web is the most common place where videos are seen concerning multimedia elements. A few digital video formats are Flash, MPEG, AVI, WMV, and QuickTime. Streaming digital videos can increase the speed of the playback. Developers use videos to hold on to the viewers’ attention.

 

The fifth multimedia element is animation. Animation draws in the younger crowd. Adobe Flash, Maya 3D, Adobe Animate, and After Effects are just some of the most common tools for creating these animations. Animations are the most creative and fun multimedia element! You can also combine images and animations to create GIF's. (1)

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Some Careers in Multimedia Include: 3D animators, Animators, Cinematographers, Film and Video Directors and Producers, Gameplay animators, Graphic Designers, Level designers, Motion designers, Motion graphics animators, Motion graphics designers, Multimedia artists, Special effects artists, VFX artists, and Web Page Designers.

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(1) https://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-components-multimedia-28279.html