Introduction to Interactive Digital Media

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.

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.

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