This book offers a clearly written and engaging introduction to the basics of interactive digital media.
As our reliance on and daily usage of websites, mobile apps, kiosks, games, VR/AR and devices that respond to our commands has increased, the need for practitioners who understand these technologies is growing. Author Julia Griffey provides a valuable guide to the fundamentals of this field, offering best practices and common pitfalls throughout. The book also notes opportunities within the field of interactive digital media for professionals with different types of skills, and interviews with experienced practitioners offer practical wisdom for readers.
Additional features of this book include:
- An overview of the history, evolution and impact of interactive media;
- A spotlight on the development process and contributing team members;
- Analysis of the components of interactive digital media and their design function (graphics, animation, audio, video, typography, color);
- An introduction to coding languages for interactive media; and
- A guide to usability in interactive media.
Introduction to Interactive Digital Media will help both students and professionals understand the varied creative, technical, and collaborative skills needed in this exciting and emerging field.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Why Learn About Interactive Digital Media?
How this Book is Organized
References
1. What is Interactive Digital Media?
Introduction
What Makes Interactive Digital Media Different from Other Forms of Media?
Forms of Interactive Digital Media
Developing Interactive Digital Media
Essential Skills for the Interactive Digital Media Developer
The Impact of Interactive Digital Media
Career Opportunities in Interactive Digital Media
Practitioner Interview—Heidi McDonald
Discussion Questions
References
2. History of Interactive Digital Media
Introduction
Origins of the Computer
Evolution of the Computer
The Computer Gets Personal
The Graphical User Interface
Video Games
The Birth of the Internet
Growth of the Internet
The Birth of the World Wide Web
Multimedia
Web 2.0
Interactive Digital Media in the 2010s and Beyond
Practitioner Interview—Elizabeth (Jake) Feinler
Discussion Questions
3. The Interactive Digital Media Development Process and Team
Introduction
Team Members
Pitching the Project
The Development Process
Practitioner Interview—Tim Frick
Discussion Questions
4. Fundamental Components of Interactive Digital Media
Introduction
Analog vs. Digital Media
Bits and Bytes
File Formats
Analog to Digital
The Pros of Digital Media
Compression
Description vs. Command-Based Encoding of Media
Color on the Screen
Practitioner Interview—Chris Cox
Discussion Questions
5. Media Content
Introduction
Graphics
Pixel-based Images
Vector-based Images
2D Animation
3D Graphics and Animation
Audio
Video in Interactive Digital Media
Text
Practitioner Interview—Ana Monte
Discussion Questions
References
6. Aesthetics in Interactive Digital Media
Introduction
Typography
Color
Layout Principles
Practitioner Interview—Brian Lucid
Discussion Questions
References
7. Authoring Interactive Digital Media
Introduction
Multimedia Authoring
Making Video Games: Casual and Console
Building Apps
Building Interactive Media for Performance and Public Spaces
Building Websites
Practitioner Interview—Jans Carton
Discussion Questions
References
8. Usability
Introduction
Why Good Usability is Important
Achieving Good Usability in Every Phase
Guidelines for Good Usability
Guidelines for Fun
Usability and Play Testing
Practitioner Interview—Julie Gaieski
Discussion Questions
References
Index
About the Author :
Julia Griffey, M.A., M.F.A., is a creative technologist, entrepreneur and associate professor of interactive digital media at Webster University in St. Louis, MO. At Webster, she teaches a variety of courses within the realm of interactive media design/development and its intersection with marketing, promotion and online business. When not teaching, Griffey builds apps and websites and runs her own creative online businesses.
