PRINCIPLE OF MULTIMEDIA APPLICATION

By Azmawati Binti Mohd Lazim

Masters of E-Learning technology

1. The learning objectives of assignment 1 are:

1. Understand the definition of typography for multimedia element.

2. Know the various type of typography.

3. How to use typography and apply it for learning purposes

4. Differentiate the pro and cons of typography in multimedia

5. Explore the example given on typography.

2. Definition

The definition of typography in multimedia are:

Used to provide information and tie other media elements together as shown on

the example below :

Example 1

from http://www.oriland.com/studio

The design and use of typefaces as a means of communication.

Typography has its roots in handwritten letterforms.

Typography encompasses everything from calligraphy through digital type and

Provide information and tie other media elements together

type on Web pages.

It also includes type designers who create new letterforms as well as designers

and calligraphers who use the letters as part of their designs.

3. Description

In depth, Typography is :

The art of drawing with letterforms

Pivots on the appropriate balance of clarity and expression

Uses typefaces and the whitespace around and through them to create a whole

design.

Different typefaces can be seen as various ‘voices’ that look as a tone of voice or accent

would sound. It is essential to get the typography voice to match or reinforce the

message being portrayed, without overwhelming it. A typography voice is best

established in the display type, or the text meant to be read first on the page.

Typography is dependent on:

Typeface and the distance between letters

The position of line breaks

The ways words are grouped on the page as shown below :

Example 2

From http://e-learningforkids.org/Courses/EN/S0702/launch.html

The remaining type used should reinforce, but not necessarily replicate, the main

The buttons grouped on top of the page with the same typo /typeface. It helps student in navigating the learning content systematically.

The instruction that is grouped as a column in guiding student to focus on what they should next.

typeface while communicating clearly. Primary type: the “headline” of a page, designed

to make viewers stop and take notice. Generally, the typeface of primary type is:

Distinctive

Aligned

Positioned differently than the rest of the text

Maybe integrated with an image, as shown on the example 2 below:

Example 3

taken from http://www.e-learningforkids.org/courses.html

4. How It Is Used and Applied for Learning

In learning, the user must know the technical aspect of typography. This technical aspect

will help the multimedia user or designer to come out with a good design, complete with

applied message throughout the content because of the right usage of typography).

Character formatting determines the appearance of characters, like colour, typeface, font

size, and font style. The following table illustrates some examples of character

formatting:

Typeface Size Style

Principle of Multimedia Application

Principle of Multimedia Application

Principle of Multimedia Application,

Principle of Multimedia Application,

Principle of Multimedia Application,

Principle of

Multimedia

Application

6 point, 8 point, 10 point,

12 point,14

point,

16 point,

20 point

This is bold.

This is italic.

This is underlined.

This is bold and

italic.

This is italic and

underlined.

Student will learn better when typography is applied and nearer in supporting an image.

It plays roles in helping the message to be delivered successfully.

Example 4

taken from http://www.e-learningforkids.org

5. The Pros and Cons of Using It.

The pros and cons are per-stated in the table below :

The text helps in instructional design of the content flow. If the instruction is not shown, the user may misinterpret the function of “crystal ball” on the screen.

PROsCONs

Compared to other multimedia elements,

text takes up the smallest amount of

storage space.

Varieties of typography style an colors

to be choose

Very little resources are needed to create

and display text.

Very much time needed for designers to

choose the typeface, since there are

varieties for typography.

Text can be transmitted very quickly. If typography is not available in the

client's computer, it may be substituted

by other typefaces and the text may be

displayed out of expectation.

Some web pages consist of a “Text Only”

version. This is to cater for users with slow

Internet connection.

If the typography is not applied

creatively, the output of we/multimedia

content will be dull and boring.

Typography used to provide information

and tie other media elements together.

Wrongly use of typography will present

a wrong perception and message to the

viewer. Sometimes, it can be disturber if

voiceover is applied in the same screen.

Typography is usually, easily created

through typing using a keyboard.

For other typography rather than

English, there are several input

methods: As an example, there are

more than 256 characters in Chinese,

two bytes are used to encode Chinese

characters. Similarly, text can be

captured by additional handwriting

recognition software.

6. Additional Example of Application

A small font or one that is fuzzy is obviously hard to read which makes the intended

message difficult to understand. Good typography is not only clear and legible but easy

and pleasant to read. If the usage of illustrated and funky font is needed, it must be

applied on the right purpose of design.

As shown below is the design made for online advertisement for a daycare company.

The designer may choose a simple font as show on design a. But is she’s creative enough

to come out with better typography to suit the need of design (like what she did on

design b), it will be more attractive in conveying the message of “daycare”

Design a (Normal Typography

Usage)

Design b

Example 5

References:

White, Alexander W. The Elements of Graphic Design. New York: Allworth Press,

2002.http://www.readysubjects.org/teaching/sp07_multimedia/handouts/

design3_typography.pdf

http://webdesign.about.com/od/fonts/qt/typography-basics.htm

http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/what-is-typography.htm

www.radian.com.hk/cit/d01