The Multi Facets of Multimedia

OPTIONS FOR EMPOWERING YOUR CREATION

Reflection

To be completely honest I have had my eyes opened through the experience of creating my own multimedia project that will discuss topics within digital civility for building responsible digital citizens. Not necessarily because of the components of multimedia, but the vast array of options for products available to create various forms of media. Having a background in video production and experience in editing software, photography, and graphic design gave me confidence that I could create something that connects with people, but after sifting through just a speck of what is out there in the “multi(media) verse I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. The only limits for me are not brought on because of the various options I have access to, but because of my limited experience with them from not being aware of my accessibility to them. Gaining an understanding by experience can only impower my ability for enhanced multimedia projects in the future. Of course, that is if I don’t fall victim to surrendering to my comfortability.

The Components

Text

Media productions of all sorts contain text. The text used typically has a variety of fonts, boldness, scales, and colors that are carefully crafted.

Graphics

Images can play a major role within multimedia for the reason that they can provide context without the use of words.

Audio

Elements of sound can provide words, sound effects, and music. Audio elements provide teaching without someone having to read large amounts of text, or provide an emotion for storytelling.

Video

This element provides more information in less time, making it useful, especially with real life objects.

Animation

The use of making still images move can be used to attract attention or lead a viewer towards an explanation or concept.

For Your Use

Below I have provided some free applications you can download on your smartphones that can help spruce up your media projects on the go, as well as web based platforms you can use for free.

Video

PowerDirector is a free video editing application for smart phones that allows you to edit and share videos with features that provide 2D and 3D video editing, animations, transitions, audio capture and editing, overlays, and color grading, as well as providing you with an extensive audio library for music and sound effects. With customizable templates, you can easily create content and stream it quickly.

Audio

Audacity is a free open source software that is an easy to use multi-track audio editor and recorder for most operating systems. This software allows you to import and export audio files, as well as support pug-ins for audio modification. Tracks can be manipulated using your keyboard with easy editing such as cut, copy, paste, and delete.

Stock Photo

FreePik is a website I use frequently for stock images and illustrations. Their library is a resource for free content that allows creative minds to find not only images, but icons, markups, and presentation templates.

Animation

With Toontastic, you can draw, animate, and narrate anything you need to. This Google owned app allows you to take any idea and create a 3D animation. This app is free to use.

Additional Products

ThingLink is an application for interactive content that connects with your gallery to make interactive media easy and fast. It allows you to make hotspots to images, videos, VR and 3D models, and combine them into an engaging scenario. The interactive media can be embedded to any website and integrates with Microsoft, Google, Canvas, Canva, and more. This app tracks engagement and receives learner data on performance for instant feedback too!

EWC Presenter is a free online tool for creating interactive multimedia content such as presentations, infographics, animations, and web pages with no need for coding or design knowledge because of their interface that only requires drag and drop objects, shapes, and effects. There is a large variety of templates that cover a range of categories such as business, education, technology, etc.

Before I Leave

Creating multimedia can seem daunting but understanding how to incorporate each aspect can allow you to create something engaging for your audience. With the use of each aspect you can reach your intended audience in a variety of ways that enables them to understand your message by engaging them in multiple forms, whether it be auditory or visually. I urge you to try it out and create something, whether you share it with one person or post it online for the world to see.