What Does Multimedia Mean and How Can it Help My Business?
The term multimedia simply means many ways of communicating.
Media is the plural for medium and the word originated in the
field of advertising over 50 years ago. The following are all
examples of multimedia, they all relate to each other and are
powerful tools in the advertising industry.
Graphic Design for print and web Web Design Web Development
Interactive CD ROM and DVD
How can it help in marketing your company and why should you be
investing in the skills of a professional graphic designer? In
an era where we are constantly exposed to imagery and brands,
having a strong corporate identity is a major factor for helping
to market a companies products or services. Branding or
corporate identity usually consists of a logotype, slogan and
its associated imagery and colours. Unfortunately there are no
requirements for qualifications in order to set up as a web
design, graphic design or multimedia specialist and I believe
that this has had a detrimental effect on the industry as a
whole. There are now numerous companies out there that have set
up as design agencies and who offer poor quality services to
their clients. This is particularly evident in the web design
industry where it is all too easy for individuals to buy the
many templates that are available and pass these off to their
clients as web design. Worst still is that this poor quality
work doesn't come cheap as many individuals seek to cash in on
peoples lack of understanding of the multimedia industry.
An important part of your marketing and branding will be your
company logo so when choosing and designing a logo, make sure
you have a reasonable budget and that you seek professional
help. Avoid the temptation to 'knock something up on the
computer' yourself or to ask a friend or colleague to have a go.
Good graphic design need not cost a fortune but bad design will
have a huge impact on how your business will be perceived. Most
logos are instantly forgettable but you have the opportunity to
develop something memorable if you spend time and money at the
outset. Look at the big brand names that you are exposed to
every day of your life and you will see just how much they
invest in and value their company branding and logo to the
extent that they will fiercely defend their branding with
expensive lawsuits if necessary.
When planning your logo, you should develop a simple written
brief for the project and commission a professional graphic
designer.
A logo needs to be distinctive and not too much like the logo of
other, well known organisations? It needs to work well with the
logo of any of your major partners or funders if you have any?
The new logo should work well across a range of applications ie.
on a conference banner, business card, letterheads, brochures,
website etc.? It also needs to look good when reproduced on a
basic photocopier?
For your logo colour, it might be better to avoid particular
tones of colour associated with say political parties. Limiting
the range of colours will help to keep costs of reproduction
down.
For logo typeface, limit the number of typefaces for headlines
and body text and choose modern, clean typefaces.
graphic design
Edinburgh and web design
Scotland