Audio

On this week, we learn about audio. What is audio? Audio is something that we can hear and listen for!. If u cannot heard or listen, it cannot be called as audio.

In audio, there is analog and digital audio. 

ANALOG AUDIO
Analog is something that we could called as old school timer entertainment, such as cassette. It is a technique used for the recording of analog signals which among many possibilities include audio frequency, analog audio and analog video information for later playback. Analog recording methods store signals as a continual wave. However, it is something that cannot edited, and effected by noise. However, with the technology, it could be converted to digital through digitizing.

DIGITAL AUDIO
Digital audio is the audio that had been converted through sampling. There are three factors that affect the quality of the digitized audio are: sampling rate, sample size and the number of channel.  The sample rate are 44.100 kHz for CD quality, 22.050 kHz for multimedia applications and 11.025 kHz sample would be marginal quality (radio quality). The common sampling sizes are: 8 bit and 16 bit. The channel will be mono or stereo.


AUDIO SIZE
Well, this is the hardest part in my life!! Calculate the size.. However, this year, i had learnt it well.
The easiest way for me to calculate the size is:

(sampling rates in Hz X sample size in byte X time in seconds X mono@stereo)

So, we have to alert for sample rates that given in kHz that should be multiply with 1000, if the common sampling given in bit, so it should divide by 8 to make the answer in byte, and either it is used to play in mono or stereo.

COMPRESSION
In audio, it would be possible to compress the audio since the size should be fit to CD or website and so on. It could compress using lossy or losSless. Lossless means loss less, keep more, while lossy means lost alot.

AUDIO FORMAT

AUDIO EDITING SOFTWARE

There is a lot of audio editing software. The purpose of those software were editing the audio either sound recording, sound editing (copy, cut, paste), resampling or downsampling, trimming, audio effects (fade ins, fade outs), splicing and assembly, volume adjustments, time stretching, digital signal processing, format conversion or compression, reversing sounds and so on. One of the popular software is Sony Sound Forge.

Wow, I hope that I really get what I had type about

Reflection of Assignment 1

After few weeks, we had finished our assignment which we have to made up a media critique. In this assignment we have to choose one website, analyze and bring out any point that we had recognize as weaknesses of applying principles of design. This is the original surface of the website that we had choose.

Phew... What a very, very green page. Yes, it apply such a very striking greeny colour, add up with e those decoration of bamboo and grasses. I'm sure the page had applied those elements because they wants to present the value of agriculture, since it is one of the main courses in that school.

However, from our discussion, we decided, it seems too green, messy with grasses. As first view, it does not seems as an educational organization website, but a page only about farming or gardening, or maybe a website about forestry. As we had discussed, we found some of the problems in applying principles of design, which are:

1. The design of one page is not consistent, either applying theme, or typeface, that makes that website was a combination of few pieces of articles that had been developed by different people. There is no unity value there. Even we can see, different page, as not seen as the home page, unless those pages still use the same background. the arrangement of the contents, it is not neat and have no value of unity.

2. It is not applying the contrast well. Even they put the green vs white, it is not emphasis the whole content. our eyes are more attracted to the background colour and some of the unimportant moving animations.

3. The way it manage the navigation bar, the menu is not proper. It does not seems in a good arrangement, it did not applied well when link of that tab was not very useful to the audience.

So, we made some magic!! As we had re-fix the page, through applying those principles of design that had been taught in class, here it is:

We still apply the green colour... But it such a refreshing green. It did not too obvious yet seems modern even the page design is not too modern. We did not want to change the theme, or the layout, but we fix and we arrange it neatly. We applied the principles of unity, and using white space to relaxing the audience while they surf the website. Besides, we also applying emphasis of the content where it seems obviously in the middle of the screen with some colour contrast that attracting those audience eyes. No more moving animations that have no benefit to apply on.

It may late when I post this reflection but I hope it is still not late. And the best thing when we did the assignment, we understand more about the principles of design.

Thank you Prof. Jamal for your guide, and for your class!!

Week 10: No class with Dr. Shafie

There is no class.

The class had been replaced by PhD student named as En. Hisham.
We learn virtual world learning through avatar.

WEEK 9: ANIMATION

Today is the first week of Dr. Shafie class. As usual, Dr Shafie asked us to makes some research and presents that information that we gain within 30 minutes. Each group will present based on the sub topic given.

On this week, we learn about animation.  As I understand, animation is something that we display on the screen that moving. If it is static, it would be called as graphic.

I learn that there are 4 types of animation techniques. One of them, which I believe popular when I was a kid, is 2 dimension animations (2D). I still remember how I love Mickey Mouse on that time. Some of us called that as cartoon.  2D cartoon is flat, we cannot see the depth. It seems less popular compare to 3D animations. Earlier 2D animation was drawn of every movement. Nowadays we could us Adobe flash, framing every gesture, and we could see the movement.

3 dimension animations (3D) is something could be seen, seems too real as you wish you could touch the picture. High definition of 3D performance will seem very similar to real things.

Virtual Reality is something that combining with our real live. Usually, it would not be static. It will be in animation presentation because those moving things attract the attention of the user.As the example; we could see it in football, where they show the line of the ball movement and offside line.  

Special Effects is something that we  add on in real life to makes it more attractive and eye’s catching such as putting on the effect that makes the situation seems supernatural.

Besides we learn about 4 types of animation techniques which are drawing animation, Cut-out animation, Model animation or stop motion animation and Digital animation or computer animation.

Drawing animation is probably the first animation that had been produce. It will draw a movement by a movement, step by step and combining it page by page.  I think this is one type of animation that popular when we was a kid, we choose a book, we draw on the edge, and we turn the book fast, and whe see it is moving drawing.

The cut out animation is still use on this day, but I do not think it is interesting unless we provide those things, and produce an animation with our students. The cut animation is not attractive, looks jagged, and the motion is not smooth, because it is the way it should be.

The model animation seems as 3d animation, but it is actually, some modelling that usually made by clay or boxes, move pieces by pieces. It will framing, capturing every movement.

Nowadays, it is easier to make an animation through computer, such as adobe flash and so on. So no wonder there are lots of animation production even in our country that become popular nowadays such as Upin Ipin and Boboiboy.

WEEK 5: DISCUSSION OF ELEMENT OF DESIGN

EMPHASIS

• Creates a focal point in a design - how we bring attention to what is most important. What catches the eye and makes the viewer stop and look at the image. 

•  Created by:
• contrast - contrast makes something is more easily seen and understood; something different attracts the eye. 
• Elements can be contrasted: 
• line (a curve in the midst of straight lines), 
• shape (a circle in a field of squares), 
• color (one red dot on a background of grays and blacks), 
• value (a light or dark area in the middle of its opposite) 
• texture (rough vs. smooth). 
• contrasting orientation:

• space (horizontal, vertical, diagonal)
• style (a geometric shape in an otherwise naturalistic image) 
• size.

• anomaly, or something that departs from the norm
• example: a person wearing a snowsuit on a tropical beach.

• placement. 
• implied lines all directed toward the same place can create a focal point there. 
• isolating an element from the others by its position in space

• Without emphasis = no focus point for viewer to look at the image = communication cannot occur.
• If everything is emphasized (all text is large and bold, all images are animated or flashing, everything is in bright colors) = nothing will stand out, nothing will be emphasized, nothing will grab the viewer’s attention.
  
  
  http://shykoo.blogspot.com/2010/01/homework-2-unity.html

WEEK 5: PRODUCTS OF MULTIMEDIA/WEB DESIGN

In this week, we had learnt about

- Content design

- Interaction design

- User interface design

In a design, it begins with Information Design, followed by Interaction Design and Interface Design.

Information Design is all about content and strategy, interaction design is about navigation while interface Design is something that we seen as presentation.

Interface Design is actually Presentation Design. It is the final outcome that would be seen by the audience.  It is presenting and communicating with the audience. As I learnt, User Interface design is not just about the arrangement on a screen, but as lecturer had mentioned, it is more than that. It is more to “look and feel”. Because in the applications of sending the message, the 'watching" is not enough to build up the interactions. That is why those user interface design involves arrangement and presentation of media, building a mental model of how users think, identifying navigational issues  and understanding user’s response and reaction.

WEEK 4: NO TOPIC

I attend the class where there is no one there...

I never thought I was earlier, because it was 10 minutes late...

My phone died...

I thought the class had been replace somewhere...

Keep waiting...

With hope, someone is coming...

I open the website, find for Prof Jamal's number.

Another phone is still alive..
Texting Prof. Jamal...

I got the answer, just because i did not check my phone before i came to class...

I drive home safely!!

WEEK 3: GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE

This week, the class had been divided into two sections. The first section is presentation about Glimpse into the Future that held around 1 hour and 30 minutes.  The presentations are all about social media, immersive learning, and augmented reality.

• SOCIAL MEDIA: I understand that social media is one medium that we use for interaction within communities. In one of presentation, they introduced Frog VLE as social media. They said that VLE frog could be used as media social. Since I did not explore the Frog VLE so much, I was quite surprise, and excited, how good Frog VLE since I saw is as only a medium that had been used to give some information through the net. I even think tha, better to use Facebook since it is much easier and user-friendly even for kids. However, Prof Jamal, the lecturer, explained that Frog VLE is not a medium of social learning. The reason is, Frog VLE cannot be registered by anyone,only through the administrator. Different to Youtube, Flickr, Facebook, and twitter which are various types of social media that could be registered by anyone.

The social media

• VIRTUAL REALITY: We  learn about Virtual Reality which also known as Immersive learning.  From what I’ve learn, it is some kind of blended where there is a computer, which generated simulation of reality to the user. It combines  multimedia elements and interactivity and use widely in education, business, and entertainment. It use some kind of 'recorded video' and play like they are going through the experience.

Virtual reality USUALLY need head mounted display

• AUGMENTED REALITY: We also learn about augmented reality. I have to present this topic but I did not have a chance to present since my group is the last group to present, and we are running with time. In my understanding, based on my reading and exploring websites, augmented reality is something seem as virtual reality. It seems those situation, user is going through the 'journey'. However, the AR usually needs a camera to make it is adapting the technologies at the real time.  At first, I did confuse, which is the latest technologies, either virtual reality or augmented reality, since virtual reality seems had been used in advanced industries such as simulating aircraft and golf experience. After having some research and review, I found that augmented reality is approaching virtual reality with real time. That's the different. Virtual reality is simulation, where it play like a real situation while augmented reality is applying the virtual into the reality. It improves the reality value. It is real awesome!

Augmented Reality using marker

Apps Augmented Reality for mobile.

Augmented reality that had been used widely in sports.

Then the lecture begins. The lecture is about Multimedia Development. 

• In Multimedia production, there are a team which work from different parts that succeeding the multimedia. There are
• Producer/Project Manager
• Creative Director/
• Multimedia Designer
• Art Director/Visual Designer
• Graphics Artist
• Interface Designer
• Game Designer
• Subject Matter Expert
• Instructional Designer/Training Specialist
• Script Writer
• Animator (2D/3D)
• Sound Producer
• Music Composer
• Video Producer
• Multimedia Programmer
• HTML Coder
• Lawyer/Media Acquisition
• Marketing Director

In some cases, based on budget for Human Resource, some expert will combine more than 1 type of expertise. For the example, a Visual designer, also could be a graphic artist and interface designer.

• Then, when we already have the team, now we will have a Multimedia Development Process which are very systematic. It starts from Planning and costing (Idea/objectives, Multimedia expertise required, time & cost estimation), then followed by designing, producing, testing and delivering. To produce the multimedia, those steps is managed using Instructional Design Model either ADDIE, ASSURE, Dick & Carey model, Raid Prototyping and so on. It would ensure we are producing the multimedia based on the steps and criteria required that we need to fulfills as the audience intention.

• From those lessons, the process had been divided into couples of phases. 
• First for Phase 1: Planning/Analysis where all the members have to identify, what they are going to produce, and why should the, with who are the audience. They should know what the audience should get, and what the audience want. 
• In  Phase 2: Design, it include designing the storyboards, Scripts, Flowcharts and design in detail before. 
• Then it followed by Phase 3: Development, which is deciding, what courseware/authorware that would be use.
• Phase 4: Implementation is the phase where we implement the most importance part, to add up the value, and recognize why it is better than other product. The last phase, 
• Phase 5: Testing & Evaluation is to see how it works! It is running well, or vice versa…

Phew.... this topic is quite hard and really needs full of attention!!

WEEK 2: (CONT.) IMPORTANCE OF MULTIMEDIA

Based on second week learning, this is the point that I've get from Prof. Jamal:

• Stimulating & Efficient Format
•  Interactivity in multimedia permits self-paced learning adapting to individual’s skills and motivation

• Effective Communication of Information
• The dynamics of sound, video, and animation are powerful supplements when added to text and graphics.

• Better Retention of Information
• Interactivity gets the viewer involved at a self-directed pace allowing the information to make optimum impact.
• Retention of Information :
• 20 % of what we hear4
• 40 % of what we see and hear
• 75 % of what we see, hear and do
•  Ease of use
• Intuitive Interface
• Immersive Experience
• Self-Paced Interaction and Better Retention
• Better Understanding of the Content
• Cost Effectiveness
• More Fun = Greater Efficiency

In this point of learning, I learnt that multimedia play such a big part in computing technology nowadays, especially in education system. It seems that multimedia could attract and makes the environment is more interactive and interesting to the user. It will makes the user see and feel the multimedia as their senses comfortable with the presentation. If it is a situation of learning, multimedia will bring the students excitedly learn and feel the lessons.

WEEK 2: INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMEDIA & MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS

On this week, class had been started by Dr. Jamaluddin at 4.00pm. Dr. Jamaluddin explained that he will handle the class in first 7 semester.

Definition of Multimedia
Based on https://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/tojde17/pdf/intmultimedia.pdf, there are two definitions about multimedia.

Definition 1: “Multimedia is the combination of a variety of communication channels into a co-ordinated communicative experience for which an integrated cross-channel language of interpretation does not exist” 
(Elsom-Cook, 2001). 
  
Definition 2: “… multimedia can be defined as an integration of multiple media elements (audio, video, graphics, text, animation, etc.) into one synergetic and symbiotic whole that results in more benefits for the end user than any one of the media elements can provide individually” (Reddi, 2003).

In this class, I learnt three phases of defining the meaning of multimedia.

Definition multi-media (Original): Multimedia means using two or more media for a presentation, such as videos and slides.

Definition Multimedia (2nd version): Multimedia refers to computer-centered presentation that combines elements of photo, video, text, graphics, audio and animation.

Latest definition of multimedia: Computer-based interactive communications process includes the use of text, graphics, audio, video, and animation. 

My reflection of learning: In this class, Dr. Jamaluddin had introduced us about Multimedia. As I learnt from this class, multimedia comes from 2 words, which is multi and media. From my understanding, multi means various, while media is a tool used as medium to present some knowledge resources. Combining those words brings up the meaning that medium that used to be present comes with elements of multimedia including interactivity. The importance point that had been added to multimedia is interactive. I learnt that multimedia is not a multimedia when the presentation is not interactive.

Elements of Multimedia

In multimedia, there are 6 elements that had been stated in the definition which are text, graphics, audio, video, animation. and interactivity. Text and graphics are static elements. Audio, video and animations are dynamic elements.

Categorization of multimedia

Multimedia products easily group into two categories which are linear and non-linear.

Based on my reading, I understand that linear is something that presented and it came as one way interaction where we will watch and 'feel' the presentation while non-linear is the category where we control the situation,and play the part of interactivity such as playing video games and so on.

Based on http://www.b-u.ac.in/sde_book/multi_system.pdf, 

• Linear active content progresses without any navigation control for the viewer such as a cinema presentation. 
• Non-linear content offers user interactivity to control progress as used with a computer game or used in self-paced computer based training. Non-linear content is also known as hypermedia content. 

Composing the Multimedia

Multimedia had been developed by combining the elements, managed in authoring tools and published through the network. Those elements will be combine well, as the clients need, build up in authoring system, and distributed multimedia system in networking.

History of multimedia
From the lessons, we learnt that multimedia only gaining attention in recent years because of previous computer did not reach the level of capability and reasonable price as now. It means that on that time, to produce multimedia, the hard disk is an almost impossible thing to have. The size is very small, while the price is so expensive. So, the Multimedia is something that could be produce with high cost.

The history of multimedia production development

WEEK 1: MPT1203

Today is the first day of Technology and Media Design - MPT1203. The lecturers  will be teach this course are Assoc. Prof. Dr.Jamaluddin Hj. Harun and and Dr. Mohd Shafie.

In this class, we had been briefed by Dr. Mohd Shafie B. Rosli  about the courses and syllabus.  This course will be about multimedia either theory, demonstration, and theory of technical application for video and audio, either software or hardware.

In this course, students will be assessed based on assignments, e-Portfolio and Learning Activity, quizzes. 

There are 3 assignments which are assignment 1, media design critique and suggestion, assignment 2, digital video pre-visualization, and assignment 3, animation pragmatism. 

Assignment 1 is 20%, about criticism and suggestion on a design based on topic students had learn. All the lessons about multimedia have to be applied into the critics. Assignment 2 is 10%, and will be a lesson about Digital Video Pre-Visualizations. It will be about planning and sketching a storyboard of video. Maybe it is how we design the preparations before we build up a video. Assignment 3 will be about animation pragmatism which is how to solve the problems of multimedia based on situations. It will give 10% marks.

E-port folio is a journal or reflection of study. It should be written in a blog, and it is not only a writing but a critical thinking of learning reflections.  Learning activity will be about all the task that will be marked based on class activity. Both e-portfolio and learning activity will marks the students 10% marks

Quizzes will be given in weeks of learning. It probably will be given unexpectedly, and will be 10% marks.

The scariest part is the final exam which will be finalize in last semester and will be marked 40% if students get full marks.

So far, it does not seems easy, but i do not think it is impossible to get good marks. Fight!