Guide to Multimedia Design

Add multimedia design elements to CD-ROMs, DVDs and kiosks

The trend for product demos, training and direct mail is to incorporate multimedia elements into DVDs and CD-ROMs. Kiosks utilize multimedia technology by providing a service to your customers.

I recommend: NYCD offers multimedia solutions on CD-ROM or DVD for electronic press kits, direct mail, product demos, video training and wireless kiosks. Rocking Horse Studio offers multimedia production services, such as enhanced DVD or CD-ROM presentations. Kiosk Information Systems incorporates your multimedia design into kiosks to provide services such as store directories, customer service, job applications and bill payment centers.

Hire a full-service multimedia firm

The key to branding is to make all of your media coordinate across the board. By hiring a full-service multimedia firm to design your website, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and presentations, you can incorporate the same elements into all of your multimedia projects.

I recommend: Atomic Imaging is a full-service multimedia firm that provides new media development including content development and graphic interface design. Dolphin Multimedia provides multimedia production services that incorporate one central message into your videos, PowerPoint presentations, CD-ROMs, DVDs and websites.

Multimedia design for your website

Adding video to your website is a straightforward approach to incorporating multimedia design. Other multimedia elements include games, animation and interactive features.

I recommend: Multimedia design options from Left Brain Games include “advergaming”, which incorporates games into ads that feature your products or brand. Animation House can add animated site intros and interactive storytelling to your website. Architechnology specializes in multimedia solutions, such as architectural animation services that help clients visualize architectural projects before ground is broken.

Multimedia design training

Multimedia elements are constantly evolving and improving. Even your most talented creative team needs ongoing education to keep up with the latest multimedia design trends.

I recommend: 21st Century New Media offers training courses in popular multimedia design software and animation programs. EducationCenterOnline.org allows you to search for schools near you that provide full multimedia design training programs and continuing education classes.

Multimedia design software

Arm your in-house designers or creative team with multimedia design software that lets them create and integrate animation, video, audio and design.

I recommend: Adobe Systems offers numerous multimedia design software programs including Dreamweaver, After Effects, Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator and Flex. Quark makes QuarkXpress and Quark Interactive Designer to incorporate design, video and animation into your projects. Corel Corporation’s Ulead has several multimedia design software solutions, including VideoStudio, DVD MovieFactory and PhotoImpact. Reallusion software products allow you to create real-time visual effects, animation and 3-D.