Frequently asked questions
> What is ‘multimedia'?
> What is an ‘interactive’?
> In-gallery or web?
> Why use collections and archives on CD-ROM ?
> Aren't virtual collections expensive?
> Isn’t it all expensive?
> Why use Footmark?
> What are the practicalities?
> What should I do next?
What is ‘multimedia'?
Multimedia is simply the term for the combination of two or more media types. Thes can be:
Images / photographs – maps, paintings, transcripts, stamps, manuscripts, objects, scenes, reconstructions, diagrams, timelines, demonstrations, re-enactments, views, aerial photographs, panoramas, items from other collections for comparison, displaying additional material.
Text – transcripts of manuscripts and inscriptions, audio transcripts, context, object details, history, introduction level information, narrative, academic level information, child-focused information, expert comments, resources for user led investigations, foreign language versions, text for accessibility, venue access and opening details.
Audio - oral history, sound clips from archive recordings, radio and film, modern narrative, audio for accessibility, scene setting.
Video – archive film and tv recordings, interviews with experts and re-enactment actors, showing demonstrations and scenes.
Animation - simulations, experiments, recreations, cartoons, exploded diagrams, animated processes.
What is an ‘interactive’?
An 'interactive' is an application where the user chooses the way they receive the information, or in which their actions affect the outcome. This can range from a database of information where the user chooses from ‘introduction’, ‘explorer’ and ‘researcher’ information types, to a learning exercise based around a photograph, and may be offered as a classroom exercise, and individual learning activity, or even a game.
Interactives help enhance the user’s understanding of the collection by actively engaging them in the learning process, and encourage them to feel part of the exhibition through exploration rather than being just a passive recipient of information.
In-gallery or web?
Multimedia technology gives you a wide range of opportunities to build simple interactives which can have a huge impact, and these can be delivered:
- from a dedicated computer, CD ROM or DVD player installed in a gallery
- online displayed within a gallery
- via hand-held or portable devices
- offered for sale on CD in a museum shop or online
The web is an under-utilised tool for many museums and has huge potential for:
- serving the greater community
- making collections and undisplayed items available
- meeting accessibility and diversity criteria
- building a community and being part of the local community
- offering more than is expected for life long learning and for schools and students
- supporting pre- and post-visit experiences
You can use the web and in-gallery applications together, enabling cost-effective and innovative applications and activities. Using the web and in-gallery applications is not an either / or situation; using the two together can create some exciting possibilities.
Why use collections and archives on CD-ROM ?
CD-ROM production is not just for the big museums;it can be a cost-effective and practical solution for smaller collections too. A multimedia archive has many uses; for example:
- To support staff management of the collection
- As a resource for researchers, students and teachers
- As a resource for the general public
- As a commercial product
CD-ROMs can be created to support specific time limited exhibitions, or can offer extended information popular exhibits for enthusiasts. Production and packaging can be kept as simple and as low-cost as required.
Aren't virtual collections expensive?
Many museums suffer from limited exhibition space, and a virtual collection increases the opportunity to offer more than location will allow. Virtual collections do not have to involve expensive content management systems with yearly fees but can be created simply for in-house maintenance through webpage templates and inexpensive software.
Interactive elements can be designed and added to specific items or sections as and when required.
Isn’t it all expensive?
No! Using web technology is an ideal way to deliver small, individual interactives and extended exhibit and visitor information without having to expend big budgets. Interactives can be created as single learning modules which can be added as stand-alone items as and when budget allows; information can easily be updated and adapted at a fraction of the cost that print or labelling technologies would require.
One example might be to enable visitors to explore in depth the most important items in your collection; another example could be to create an interactive exploration based on an exhibition item for school children to engage in before or after a school visit.
Learning modules can be built in phases, and then linked together in a series of question-led investigations. When built this way you have control of the budget and can define exactly what the aims and expectations are required.
We can also help to source content where required, including writing text, designing interactives, producing photographs, recording or editing audio and video, sourcing royalty-free photographs and other media, and creating animations. We also have access to researchers and curriculum and classroom specialists to help where necessary.
Why use Footmark?
We respect the integrity of the sources and the musem or organisation:
We have a strong enthusiasm for heritage and for communicating its message in an exciting learning format, and we understand and respect the integrity of the source material. We place strong priority on the client having control over the appropriate use of materials and any associated interactive activity.
We believe in little or no maintenance costs:
It is also important for us to provide projects which require little or no maintenance, or which can be maintained or grown in-house with training and support from us.
We know interactivity and multimedia can be created for low budgets:
We strongly believe that the impactful communication of information does not need to be expensive, and we will look for ways to create what you want within your budget and timescales.
Our involvement is totally flexible:
We are happy to work with you at whatever level you require, whether you have a website and just want additional functionality, need a costing for a grant application, want a web project for a specific exhibition or need a stand alone gallery application plus a website makeover and a CD product to sell!
We have experience:
At Footmark we have 30 years combined experience in educational projects, heritage / museum / archive websites, and in creating multimedia and interactive applications for on-screen, classroom, web and CD ROM delivery. See > About us
We offer a wide range of expertise including:
- Museum & heritage website development
- Museum & heritage online learning and educational project development
- Educational and exhibition CD /DVD product development for museums Database programming and content management
- Multimedia design and creation for museums, galleries and websites Educational and curriculum based website and CD projects
- Interactive activity origination, design and build
- Content sourcing for audio, photographs and video
- Copy creation and editing
- Online shop creation and search engine optimisation (SEO)
- Costings for grant applications
What are the practicalities?
Our usual approach is to meet you to discuss your ideas and requirements and to view your venue and collections. We then research the possibilities and create a costing. Obviously every archive, venue or heritage site is different, and we hope to learn from you about your target audience, your current focus, your collection or venue and what you need.
If this is acceptable, we then produce designs and interactive definitions based on your criteria – we like to make sure everyone has the same expectations for the work, content delivery and timescales. We then start to build the application, keeping you involved in every step of the way, either sending you copies of work in progress or creating a hidden website for you to access.
If training is required we will provide this for you at your location, and will support you for three months after delivery online or by phone for free.
What should I do next?
> Contact us! We would be really interested to find out and discuss your museum, heritage site or collection, and your display and learning goals.
We are planning to run a one-day seminar for museums on the web, multimedia and interactives, and would like to know what would makeup > your ideal seminar.
See our > portfolio for examples of our work.
FREE initial consultations: To chat through your needs and for friendly professional help call us on 07809 524300 or email > enquiries@footmark.com