Taking A Multimedia Design Project From Sketch To Screen
Created by Adobe Firefly, prompt: a notebook with drawings turning into reality, next to an ipad, emerald green colors
Beginning a multimedia design project seems like a daunting task at first. Going from the initial spark of an idea to showing a completed video seem miles apart from one another, and it may be difficult to determine where to start. However, in this day and age, “American adults spend over 11 hours per day listening to, watching, reading or generally interacting with media,” according to Nielson.com. Knowing this, it is important to be able to tackle this fear and go along with the current technology trends.
In this blog, we'll explore the essential stages of taking a multimedia design project from sketch to screen, delving into the tasks in pre-production, production, and post-production. You will quickly see that when broken down into these steps, and using the correct techniques, it is not as scary as it looks.
Pre-Production
Pre-production lays the groundwork for a successful multimedia project. It's the planning phase where ideas are conceptualized, refined, and organized. During this stage, brainstorming sessions, storyboarding, and scripting take center stage.
The WPI Academic Technology Center gives theses tips for planning a successful multimedia project:
Know who your target audience is for your project. The age you are trying to target will affect the vocabulary you use in your piece, as well as the visuals you may use.
Consider the amount of time you have to complete each detail of the project.
Make sure you have a record of the take-away message of your project, as this will help make sure each decision you make in creating the project is intentional.
Make sure you have the following documents before you go into actual production:
Script
Storyboard
Shot List
Production
Production is where your ideas begin to take shape and come to life through various multimedia elements and filming. Whether it's graphic design, animation, or video production, this stage involves bringing together different components to create a cohesive whole. Understanding the 12 principles of multimedia learning created by Richard Mayer, author of the book Multimedia Learning, can guide designers in creating compelling and impactful films and animations.
Below are some take-aways gathered from Mayer’s 12 principles:
Exclude extraneous material and Highlight important material
Narration is better than on-screen words. A voiceover narration and graphics is most effective as opposed to voiceover, graphics and text.
Put text near the pictures it is describing
Present text and graphics at the same time
Present information in sections rather than all at once
Defining key terms and giving them background helps the audience maintain attention later on.
The audience typically responds better to a human talking in a conversational style than a computer talking in a formal style.
Showing a face or ‘talking head’ during a presentation doesn’t give or take away value.
By incorporating these tips into your work, multimedia designers can enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of their projects. More information on Mayer’s principles can be found briefly explained by Wiley University Services, titled “Principles of Multimedia Learning.”, or by purchasing the 2nd Edition of Richard Mayer’s book, Multimedia Learning.
Post Production
Post-production is the final phase of the multimedia design process, where original footage is combined with editing practices in order to produce a final video. Editing techniques play a crucial role in refining and enhancing the project's quality. Whether it's video editing, audio mastering, or graphic manipulation, post-production requires attention to detail and creativity.
Additionally, promoting your work is essential to reaching your target audience and maximizing its impact. Not to mention, you should be proud to show off your work after spending so much time on this project! There are several ways to promote your work, whether it be through word of mouth or social media. Designmodo provides a list of ways to promote your final project as a starting point, and they advise to “Mix and match as well. Some of the items above can be intertwined to help maximize your promotion potential.”
Taking a multimedia design project from sketch to screen is a multifaceted endeavor that requires careful planning, creative execution, and meticulous attention to detail. By following the outlined stages of pre-production, production, and post-production, creators can bring their ideas to fruition and captivate audiences with engaging multimedia experiences. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring designer, embrace the journey of multimedia creation and let your creativity soar.
