Text

Multimedia Element - Text
MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS
2
Multimedia elements : Text
Learning Outcomes :
Describe the purpose of using text in multimedia.

Describe the categories of font
Identify appropriate fonts according to the user
needs.
Identify different types of file format.
Introduction
Multimedia would not be complete
without text.
Combination of animation, audio, video

and graphics can be used to develop
multimedia.
But text still needed to provide information

and explanation.
History of text and symbols

Text and symbols have been used since 6000 years ago
in the Mediterranean Fertile Crescentin Mesopotamia,
Egypt, Sumeria and Babylon.
The first meaningful marks were scraped onto mud

tablets and basked under the sun to dry.
During this period, only rulers and priests were

allowed to read and write the pictographic symbols
and cuneiforms.
Text definition
 Text – a combination of symbol, letter, character and
phrase that form a sentence or words that describe or
discuss a topic which is known as text information.
 Text is the basic element for all multimedia applications.
 Multimedia would not be complete without text. This is
because text is one of the most important and main
elements not only in multimedia development but also in
other fields.
 In Information Technology – text is a sequence of
readable alphabet and constructed words can be
decoded into a computer readable format, such as ASCII
format.
The purpose of using text in multimedia
 is used to communicate thoughts, ideas,
and facts.
 used to provide a lot of information.
 the safest way to convey messages as it can

avoid misunderstanding.
The purpose of using text in multimedia
• Text is used extensively in the world of mass
communication specifically as an intermediary for the print
media such as the press, magazines, books, journals and
advertisements.
• Without text, information that you wish to convey might

be lost during your interpretation of other media elements
such as graphics, sounds and video.
• Considering that there are various cultural norms to

adhere to, text is considered the best and safest form of
communication medium to deliver messages effectively so
that misunderstanding will not arise.
Typeface and font

Typeface
• refer to the types of writing Font – refer to the
• is a family of graphic character style of writing
that usually includes many
type sizes and styles.
Common typefaces used

TIMES
COURIER
ARIAL
Typeface categories
Decorative
Serif
ABC ABC
San Serif
ABC
Categories of font
Serif
Refer to the line or curve (tail) that exists at the
end of a character.
widely used for body text because they are
considered easier to read
serifs are semi-structural details on the ends of
some of the strokes that make up letters and
symbols
Example : Times New Roman
Courier
Book Antiqua
Palantino
Categories of font
Sans Serif
from the French sans, meaning “without”
A typeface without serifs is called sans-serif
are more typically used for headlines
Examples :
Arial
Tohama
Calibri
Antique Olive
Categories of font
Decorative
Refers to typefaces with old literature and flowery
elements and look like ancient writings.
Example :
Algerian
Brush Script
Bradley Hand
Guidelines on the use of text in
multimedia presentations
1) Minimal Use of Text – be concise

- Should fill less than half the screen.
- Combination of other elements is needed.
Uses of text on book covers Uses of text on poster

1)Reading a lot of text on a computer screen is tiring. If
possible, minimize the use of text unless it is a multimedia
application such as reference titles that requires maximum
use of text like encyclopedias.
2)A combination of other elements is needed to reduce the

dependency of multimedia applications on text.
2) Suitability of Typefaces and Fonts - use appropriate

font and typeface
- must depend on the objective, content, concept and
intended audience of the multimedia application
being developed.
- Used typeface that can be used in all platforms.
Example :
This type of fonts suitable for the younger generation
because it looks rather childlike
INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA
MULTIMEDIA IS THE INTEGRATION

OF ANY COMBINATION OF TEXT,
GRAPHICS, ANIMATION, AUDIO, AND
VIDEO INTO DYNAMIC, INTRACTIVE
PRESENTATION.
This type of fonts suitable for a formal approach
INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA
MULTIMEDIA IS THE INTEGRATION OF

ANY COMBINATION OF TEXT, GRAPHICS,
ANIMATION, AUDIO, AND VIDEO INTO
DYNAMIC, INTRACTIVE PRESENTATION.
3) Choice of text – Typeface must be clear
and readable
Font type Display Style Comprehension Study
Sans Serif •Clean, brief, objectivity, •20% - 30% level of

modern understanding
•Quite difficult for fast
reading
•Suitable for headings
Serif •Old-fashioned, friendly •75% - 80% level of

•Easy to read understanding
•Suitable for content text
4)Text Style and Color - choose

appropriate font style and font color
• Style of writing is often used for

emphasis or distinguishing a
content of the other part of the
print media.
• Text colour and background colour

also plays an important role in
determining whether a word is
clear and readable.
5) Consistent - consistency in using text

(color, background, heading)
• use of size, font, typeface and style should

be consistent with the design and project
concept
• typeface chosen should be in the computer

system to be used for playback.
1)Consistency or uniformity of textual use is important
when developing a multimedia application. The use of
size, font, typeface and style must be consistent with the
design and concept of the project. For example, if the
application being developed has several screens that
require the use of headings and sub-headings, therefore
the use of typeface, font, style and color should be
consistent with each heading and sub-heading.
2)For example :
If you use Avant-garde typeface as the main typeface to
display the application content, you should make sure in
other computer system have same typeface. If not, your
display might be disordered and not like the original one.
Appropriate fonts according to the
user needs
Type styles: bold, italic, underline
Used for emphasis
Use for links – hypertext
Be consistent
Similar headings – typeface, size, style
Use same font for similar sections
Graphic image for headings
Consistency vs. file size
Text File Formats

Text files Graphical icon Full name
*.doc Microsoft Word Document
*.txt Plain Text File
*.rtf Rich Text Format File
*.odt OpenDocument Text

Document
1) .doc –Word processing document created by Microsoft Word, a word processor
included with all versions of Microsoft Office; may contain formatted text, images,
tables, graphs, charts, page formatting, and print settings.
NOTE: Microsoft Word 2007 and later saves documents in the OpenXML format with
a .DOCX extension.
2) .txt –Standard text document that contains unformatted text; recognized by any text
editing or word processing program; can also be processed by most other software
programs.
Generic text files with filenames that ending in ".txt" are created by Notepad for
Windows and by TextEdit for Mac OS X when document formatting is removed.
Various hardware devices, such as smart phones and the Amazon Kindle also recognize
plain text files.
6.2.1 Multimedia elements : Text
Summary
Text has been around since ancient times. The ability to
read and write text means success for the modern man.
The appropriate use of multimedia elements may enhance

the aesthetic presentation of text.
In order to successfully use text in multimedia

presentations, please bear in mind the following guideline :
(i) Minimal use of text
(ii)Suitability of typefaces and fonts
(iii) Choice of text
(iv) Styles and color of text
(v) Consistency

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Multimedia Element - Text

Describe the purpose of using text in multimedia.

Combination of animation, audio, video

But text still needed to provide information

History of text and symbols

The first meaningful marks were scraped onto mud

During this period, only rulers and priests were

 used to provide a lot of information.

 the safest way to convey messages as it can

• Without text, information that you wish to convey might

• Considering that there are various cultural norms to

Typeface and font

Common typefaces used

1) Minimal Use of Text – be concise

Uses of text on book covers Uses of text on poster

2)A combination of other elements is needed to reduce the

2) Suitability of Typefaces and Fonts - use appropriate

MULTIMEDIA IS THE INTEGRATION

MULTIMEDIA IS THE INTEGRATION OF

Sans Serif •Clean, brief, objectivity, •20% - 30% level of

Serif •Old-fashioned, friendly •75% - 80% level of

4)Text Style and Color - choose

• Style of writing is often used for

• Text colour and background colour

5) Consistent - consistency in using text

• use of size, font, typeface and style should

• typeface chosen should be in the computer

Text File Formats

*.doc Microsoft Word Document

*.txt Plain Text File

*.rtf Rich Text Format File

*.odt OpenDocument Text

The appropriate use of multimedia elements may enhance

In order to successfully use text in multimedia

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