Introduction
Multimedia: it is the study of the invention of information, technologies and new human- machines paradigms that have come to define the medium of the personal computer with automations, improved intelligence, hypertext, human computer symbiosis and graphical user interface (Packer & Jordan, 2001). The broad historic analysis of multimedia helps illuminate an understanding of the emerging digital arts and its aesthetics, strategies, trends and social-cultural aspirations. Multimedia comes with the understanding of the following terms integration, interactivity, immersion, narratively and hypermedia.
Multimedia design is a way of communicating information or concept by the use of CD-ROM, website or kiosk in an interesting way. It is the use of multimedia to present the information using skills of manipulating images and information from a variety of sources such as video, audio, animation, still images, physical objects, soundtracks, text and digital data using computer (Packer & Jordan, 2001). There are two types interactive multimedia design and non-interactive.
Interactive multimedia design includes work on kiosk, Blu-ray application, web design and interactive DVDs. However, video, animation and photos can be used but the Graphical User Interface (GUI) sets the difference with the audiovisual design (Gertner, 2011). Non-interactive is the kind of work seen on television and the internet. These include the commercials, flash websites and movies.
Multimedia is a new field in the UAE, however, there is an impressive embrace to the new technology and discipline. In most major cities like Dubai and many colleges and universities, there are courses that specifically teach this discipline. Multimedia has a large embracement in business and in schools. Today, most of the schools and businesses are using multimedia for marketing and learning in schools.
Many multimedia types are used for different purposes in the UAE such as presentation, print and online advertisement, marketing, website development among others (Higgins, 1966). It is important to note that, the level of technology in UAE is not comparable to that of western countries. This makes UAE lag behind in ICT and therefore it is dependent on imported expertise in most positions in this field.
Importance of multimedia in UAE
Education: the introduction of new technology in the school system and the learning of computer courses are an important use of multimedia (Higgins,1966 ). The use of multimedia in education creates a non-monotonous learning environment as it combines education with entertainment.
Manipal University in Dubai is one among the many institutions in UAE that offers courses in information technology. This has enhanced the use of multimedia in a range of application it is used in in the country.
Marketing: companies and industries in UAE are embracing multimedia knowledge in advertisement, which provides a more eye-catching, and realistic picture of what the company or industry does (Gertner, 2011). A good example is the advertisements carried out by the Fly Emirates and Etihad airlines. These marketing strategies have been fruitful so far.
Training: multimedia in UAE is highly used in training programs. Aeronautical assistants study to manage international terrorism and security through simulation. Multimedia application helps to project the animation of a real thing making training more realistic (Gertner, 2011). This enable the trainers and trainees understand and view the reality of the subject through images and texts.
Engineering: software engineers use it in computer simulation for entertainment and training including military and industrial trainings. Many oil industries and airline in UAE like elsewhere in the world use this technology in determining and examining the possibility of faults in their machinery (Higgins, 1966). These is an important use of multimedia used by airline and oil industry mechanics.
Entertainment and fine arts: it is heavily used in the entertainment industry in developing movies and animation effects, video games.
How multimedia is changing the world
Multimedia has quite a number of effects in the modern world. This is propagated by the advancement of technology and computer education (Higgins, 1966). Multimedia has transformed the entertainment industry. The current trade of entertainment is incomparable to any era of past human history.
The marketing strategies and education have taken new shapes as so has scientific research and the medicine world due to the increased use of modern technology.
Development of multimedia design
Multimedia has developed for a long time. There has been development trend in the evolving of multimedia. From a humble beginning, the computer world has evolved to the complex world we have. Multimedia has undergone the same transformation and more is yet to be achieved.
As Multimedia from Wagner to Virtual Reality explains, the trend of multimedia prominence has been long and complex: path that calls for creativity, innovativeness and patience. This show that the UAE has to be patient in embracing multimedia technology as it is not a thing to embrace overnight (Higgins,1966). This will be achieved through patience and gradual project implementation and collaboration with external partners.
Multimedia design is affecting everything around us
Multimedia has been incorporated in every aspect of human being and everything we do in our daily lives. In the work place, most of the people work within or around multimedia influence. In education, there is an increased trend in the usage of multimedia design with the UAE government investing heavily in these programs that seek to equip students with multimedia knowledge (Packer & Jordan, 2001).
Multimedia is similar to the traditional textbook, it’s however different in the aspect that it can manipulate the text through the use of electronic device which offers the students a better and exiting method compared to note taking. Multimedia therefore offers a better learning method that is enjoyable rather than boring. Multimedia in learning provides varying ways of presenting learning material.
Conclusion
Multimedia design is a rapid growing discipline and a core component in our daily lives. It is gaining popularity in use in UAE’s major colleges and universities and companies and industries in marketing, conferences and advertisement are employing it. At school or work, we have all felt the impact it has on us. It has changed the world in many aspects from marketing, training to scientific study and medicine.
References
Gertner, R. T. (2011, April). THE EFFECTS OF MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY ON LEARNING. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://www.acu.edu/technology/mobilelearning/documents/research/effects-of-technology-on-learning.pdf
Higgins, D. (1966). “Intermedia.
Packer, R., & Jordan, K. (2001). Multimedia: From Wagner to virtual reality. New York: Norton.
