Just my opinion…
October 26, 2009
The making of multimedia websites.
Web design is something that I think of, and work on, pretty much every day. One thing I can assure you; building multimedia websites is a rewarding task. There are so many layers to it that’s never boring.
Over the years I have seen lots of software being created.
Software to manipulate sound and graphics; HTML, CSS, and video editors; different IDEs, databases and operating systems; Adobe Flash evolving into a complex environment for web development, etc.
Nowadays is not for a lack of tools that we crave for but simplification in content delivery. There is so much ‘noise’ out there that trying to convey a message in a forest of ads and banners is becoming a daunting task.
For example, a big site such as CNN.com, overhauls its website with a single goal in mind: “The reader has to find what she or he is looking for with minimal effort and as quickly as possible.” The end result is a website with strong multimedia content.
Much has being said about what constitutes the best web design.
Most of what I see under this title is sites visually compelling; sites that catch your attention immediately with their first page for its color, linear design, and engaging message; these are sites made in collage format or applying narrative in the form of rolling images, interactive images, fading images, etc.
It seems most people agree with the above. A good website has to be visually engaging.
The other side of the website duality is the visitor, which has being identified as having short attention span, always in the run and in a rush to get someplace else. Just look at the bounce rate of Google Analytics.
So, for the web developer, the question is: what tool or tools are the most efficient to push information faster and with the lesser amount of effort from the visitor’s part? The answer is multimedia; not exactly utilizing an abundance of words, mind you, but delivering information he or she can scan out of a web page quickly.
Fortunately, website developers have tools no other media can offer.
This fact has many implications. In a multimedia environment where different disciplines converge, team work is of essence.
Today, a successful multimedia website is the effort of a talented group of graphic, video and sound editors, programmers and writers all stewarded by knowledgeable leadership.
Let us not forget web copywriters and search engines strategists.
Tito Victoriano
titovictoriano.com
