Glossary

Chapter 2

Digital Content and File Management

• Android OS

• A computer operating system developed by Google for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

• Apple iOS

• A computer operating system developed by Apple for use with its proprietary line of mobile devices, such as the iPhone and iPad.

• Application Software

• A computer software program designed to perform a specific task or a set of related tasks.

• ASCII

• American Standard Code for Information Interchange (pronounced "ask-ee"). An industry standard established in the 1960s for translating the characters of the English language into binary form. The 128-character ASCII set includes most of the symbols found on a typewriter keyboard.

• Audio Compact Disc (CD)

• An optical disc recording format released by Sony/Phillips in 1982. An audio compact disc has a capacity of 700 MB and can store up to 74 minutes of uncompressed digital audio.

• Bit

• The basic unit of information in a binary computer system. A bit is a variable defined by one of two values or states (on/off), represented numerically as a 0 or 1. A string of eight bits forms a byte.

• Blu-ray Disc

• A high-capacity optical disc format designed for distributing high-definition video content. A Blu-ray disc has a capacity up to 50 GB and can store up to ten times more than a standard DVD.

• Byte

• A string of eight bits, such as 00110101.

• CD-ROM

• A variant of the audio compact disc, CD-ROMs were created in 1985 for digital data storage and have a capacity of 700 MB. A single CD-ROM can hold as much data as 486 floppy disks, the most widely used removable storage solution at the time of the CD-ROM’s invention.

• Cloud Storage

• A remote storage solution that allows users to store and interact with data through a Web-based service or mobile app. Cloud storage enables multi-user file sharing, collaboration, and synchronization of digital information.

• DVD

• Digital versatile disc or digital videodisc. An optical disc format released by Toshiba in 1995. A DVD has a capacity of 4.7 GB and can store up to 133 minutes of standard definition video.

• DVD-ROM

• A variant of the DVD, DVD-ROMs are a removable storage solution with a capacity of 4.7 GB on a single-layer disc and 8.5 GB on a double-layer disc.
  The subsequent development of DVD-RW recordable drives, made this an ideal format for high-density removable storage.

• File

• A self-contained collection of binary data (bytes). Files are created and opened by computer software applications and stored on physical disks or drives.

• Firmware

• A computer program that is permanently installed by the manufacturer on a hardware chip within a portable digital device (such as a cell phone or digital camera).

• Fixed Storage

• A nonremovable chip or drive permanently installed within the chassis of a computer or digital device. The internal hard disk drive (HDD) of a computer is an example of fixed storage.

• Flash Drive

• A removable storage device containing solid-state chip technology and flash memory. They are typically attached to a computer or digital device via a USB connection. Also known as a USB Drive.

• Flash Memory

• Solid-state chip technology used for storing digital data. USB flash drives and flash memory cards, such as the popular Secure Digital (SD) format, are examples of flash-based memory products.

• Flash Memory Card

• A removable storage device containing solid-state chip technology with flash memory. They come in various sizes and capacities and are designed to work with compatible card slots. Secure Digital (SD) and Compact Flash (CF) are among the most popular memory card formats used by multimedia content creators.

• Folder

• A folder is the virtual representation of a divided subsection on a digital storage drive. Folders are used as containers for organizing and managing related files on a computer drive. Folders can be nested inside of one another. A nested folder is called a subfolder.

• Graphical User Interface (GUI)

• GUI(pronounced GOO-ey) is a visual interface design that allows users to interact with a computer or digital device by pointing to on-screen images or icons (usually with a mouse).

• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

• A mechanical device that reads and writes data onto magnetically charged spinning platters located within a sealed compartment. An internal HDD is installed within the chassis of the computer. An external HDD is portable and is connected to the computer using a serial interface cable such as USB or FireWire.

• Hardware

• Refers to the components of a computer system, device, or peripheral that can be physically touched or held. A hard disk drive is a hardware component, while the data stored on the drive is the software.

• Human Interface Device (HID)

• A hardware device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or joystick, used to interact with a computer.

• Keyboard

• A human interface device containing an assortment of labeled keys for entering alphanumeric characters, symbols, and commands into a computer.

• macOS

• An operating system developed by Apple for use on its Mac family of laptop and desktop computers.

• Microsoft Windows

• A PC operating system introduced by Microsoft in 1985. Windows eventually replaced the text-based MS-DOS operating system.

• Mobile App

• A computer software application designed to run on a mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone.

• Moore’s Law

• Named for Gordon Moore, Intel’s cofounder, who in 1965 accurately predicted that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits (the predecessor of the microprocessor) would double about every two years for the foreseeable future.

• Mouse

• A human interface device invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963. Originally dubbed the X-Y position indicator for a display system, the mouse enables users to interact with a computer by pointing and clicking on visual screen objects.

• Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

• A remote storage drive with a unique network address that users can access via the Internet or local area network (LAN).

• Operating System (OS)

• The first software application on a computer that is launched when a computer is turned on or restarted. The act of turning on a computer initiates a “boot sequence” or set of command functions that launches the computer’s operating system.

• Optical Storage

• A removable digital storage medium that uses a laser beam to read and encode data onto the reflective inner surface of a hard plastic disk. The laser beam encodes binary data as a series of pits and lands. Pits are microscopic depressions burned onto the surface of the disc. Lands are the unaffected regions between the pits. The transition from a pit to a land or from a land to a pit is interpreted as a one, while no change (pit to pit or land to land) indicates a zero. Audio compact discs and DVDs are examples of optical storage.

• Personal Computer (PC)

• Originally the name given to the IBM 5150, released in 1981, personal computer has grown into a generic term for all computers running a Microsoft Windows operation system.

• Removable Storage

• A portable storage medium that is designed to move data easily from one computer to another.

• Root Directory

• The region of a digital storage drive representing the top level of the hierarchical data structure created by the file system for organizing folders and files.

• Software

• Refers to a computer program (a set of instructions for the computer) or set of programs designed to perform a specific set of tasks or functions. Software needs to be loaded into the computer’s memory (RAM, or Random Access Memory) to be used. A computer program that is permanently installed by the manufacturer on a hardware chip within a portable digital device (such as a cell phone or digital camera) is usually referred to as firmware.

• Solid-state Drive (SSD)

• A high-capacity solid-state storage solution using flash-based memory. Unlike traditional computer hard disk drives containing a drive motor, spinning magnetic platters, and movable read/write heads, SSDs contain no moving parts, making them less susceptible to wear and damage.

• Storage

• A general term used to describe any number of devices that can be used to permanently record and store digital information

• System Drive

• The system drive is the internal storage drive of a computer or digital device responsible for storing and running the computer’s operating system and application software.

• Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• A secure, encrypted connection through which data is exchanged between a host computer or server and an authorized remote user. For example, college students are typically required to use a VPN connection to access proprietary school servers and databases when working remotely from off-campus.

Chapter 3

Project Planning

• Accessibility

• Within the context of multimedia, accessibility refers to the degree that “technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.” Also known as web accessibility.

• Audience

• The intended receiver of a multimedia message or campaign.

• AV Script

• A two-column script format widely used in the production of radio and television commercials, music videos, promotional videos, education and training programs, documentaries, interactive narratives, etc. The left-hand column of an AV script has information about the video portion of a program while the right-hand column contains the audio portion.

• Client

• A person or company for whom a multimedia project is being produced. The client is the content expert, the one most familiar with the mission, goals, and needs of the organization, or cause, they represent.

• Creative Brief

• A short written document that provides an overview of the design strategy and creative approach for a given project.

• Demographics

• The shared characteristics of a population such as age, ethnicity, gender, income, race, and religion.

• Design Thinking

• An iterative process with five stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The process challenges designers to “understand users, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create innovative solutions to prototype and test.”

• Inclusive Design

• “The process of making design work accessible for and representational of as many people as possible.”

• Intellectual Property

• A legal term having to do with the rights given to individuals for protecting the tangible products of human thought and creativity as expressed through various forms.

• Log Line

• A one sentence description summarizing a story concept.

• Mockup

• A full-size layout of a visual design developed for the purpose of refining or testing a concept.

• Pitching

• The act of convincing or persuading others of the merits and viability of an idea. It can be done in writing, through a treatment or creative brief, but more often, involves an in-person setting where the writer, reporter, producer, or design team representative is given a short window of time to communicate the vision or essence of their story idea or design concept.

• Planning

• The preproduction phase of multimedia design involving several steps, including problem identification, needs assessment, research, idea generation, concept development, writing, budgeting, and scheduling.

• Previsualization

• Visual aids used during the planning and design process to refine a concept before going into production. The following previsualization tools are used often in multimedia design: treatment, storyboard, script, wireframe, mockup, and prototype.

• Problem Statement

• A written statement to “identify and frame the problem to be explored and solved, as well as to communicate the discovery’s scope” during the define stage of the design thinking process.

• Producer

• An individual or company with expertise in the process and tools for crafting an effective multimedia message and delivering it strategically to a target audience.

• Prototype

• A paper or working model of a multimedia project designed for simulation and testing.

• Psychographics

• The classification of people based on underlying human attributes such as motivations, personalities, lifestyles, interests, etc.

• Screenplay

• An industry-standard scriptwriting convention used widely throughout the motion picture and television industries.

• Script

• A written narrative framework for organizing the visual and audio portions of a multimedia presentation.

• Shannon-Weaver Model

• A mathematical theory of communications designed by researchers Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver in 1948. Many communication theorists consider it to be the mother of all models.

• Storyboard

• An organized panel of images and/or text used for previsualizing a linear or nonlinear sequence of actions or steps.

• Target Audience/Market

• A group of consumers that a company has strategically identified as potential users of its goods and services.

• Three Ps Model

• A linear planning model consisting of three phases: preproduction, production, and postproduction.

• Preproduction

• The first phase of the Three Ps process model. This phase often begins with the client-producer meeting and ends with consensus on an executable plan.

• Production

• The second phase of the Three Ps process model. During this phase, the individual components or elements of a multimedia project are acquired or produced.

• Postproduction

• The third phase of the Three Ps process model. This is the building phase of the multimedia design process where the finished product is assembled, tested, refined, and ultimately presented to the client for approval.

• Treatment

• A short narrative description of a project. Provides the reader with a concisely written summary about a concept or story idea.

• Universal Design

• A term coined by Ronald Mace in 1980 to provide guidance in “the design of environments, products and communications” and to help “evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments.”

• User

• A general term referring broadly to the interactive consumers of new media messages and content.

• Wireframe

• A simple visual representation of the layout or skeletal structure of a multimedia page or interface.

Chapter 4

Elements of Visual Design

• 2D/3D Space

• 2D or two-dimensional space is comprised of width and height. Width is referred to as the x-axis and height is referred to as the y-axis. 3D or three-dimensional space is comprised of width, height, and depth. The added dimension of depth is referred to as the z-axis. In multimedia design, the third dimension of depth is achieved through perceptual illusion using techniques such as lighting, perspective, shading, texture, color, and contrast.

• Aesthetics

• A theoretical branch of visual communication that deals with the nature of beauty and human perceptions of visual form and presentation.

• Aspect Ratio

• The ratio of the width and height of a design space or digital display. A 4:3 aspect ratio indicates that the design space is 4 units wide by 3 units high. A 16:9 aspect ratio means the space is 16 units wide by 9 units high.

• CMYK Color

• The abbreviation for the primary colors used in printing: cyan, magenta, and yellow. The letter K refers to black and comes from the term key plate, a black printing plate. The CMYK color model is used in the four-color printing process and renders color by combining physical compounds such as paints and inks.

• Color Theory

• The appearance of a visual object as defined by the properties of hue, saturation, and brightness. The human eye is attracted to warm colors (reds and oranges) first. Cool colors such as violets, blues, and cool greens recede away from us into the background, appearing distant and detached.

• Content and Form

• Tandem components of a visual design. Content is the tangible essence of a work: the stories, ideas, and information that we exchange with others. Form is the manner in which content is designed, packaged, and delivered for consumption.

• Cool/Warm Colors

• Cool colors such as violets, blues, and cool greens seem to recede away from us into the background, appearing distant and detached. Cool colors are perceived as calm, soothing, and placid, like the blue waters of a still mountain lake. Warm colors reside near the orange area of the spectrum and include shades of red and orange, as well as warm greens. We tend to perceive warm colors as breaking free from the background and advancing toward us from a printed page or screen.

• Design/Composition

• The thoughtful arrangement of visual elements within a two-dimensional space to achieve a unified and aesthetically pleasing impression.

• Dutch Tilt

• A cinematic technique that involves tilting the camera, so the horizon is not parallel to the bottom of the frame. Used to connote a sense of motion in a scene.

• Elements of Visual Design

• The fundamental building blocks of visual content: space, dot, line, shape, form, color, texture, and pattern.

• Dot

• The smallest definable element of design. In multimedia, visual images are reproduced electronically on a display screen as a complex array of tiny dots or squares of light called pixels (or picture elements).

• Form

• A two-dimensional element formed by the enclosure of dots and lines that connotes a sense of depth through perspective, lighting, shading, color, contrast, or other means.

• Line

• The visual connector between two points (or dots). Lines can be real or implied. Lines can be horizontal, vertical, curved, diagonal, or combined in an infinite number of ways.

• Pattern

• The reoccurrence of a visual element within a design space. Like shapes, patterns can be geometric or organic.

• Shape

• A two-dimensional element formed by the enclosure of dots and lines. A shape lacks the perceptual dimension of depth. The basic geometric shapes are circles, triangles, and squares. Organic shapes resemble objects in the natural world (snowflakes, leaves, etc.).

• Space

• The bounded area of a design where visual elements reside. In photography, design space is synonymous with field of view. In multimedia design, space is physically limited to two-dimensions, width and height (x-axis and y-axis). Depth, the third dimension, is a perceptual illusion, and is represented by the z-axis, an imaginary sight vector that extends away from the viewer and into the center of the design.

• Texture

• The surface attribute of a visual object that evokes a sense of tactile interaction. Texture can be visually implied in an image.

• Golden Ratio

• A numerical ratio 1.61803:1, or phi, developed during the early days of printing as a reference for the ideal proportions of rectangular page or design space.

• Grayscale

• A colorless image or object containing only variations of white and black.

• Halftone Image

• A method of printing photographs in newspapers. A halftone image is formed with black dots of various shades of gray.

• Hue

• The color shade of an object as a single point on the color spectrum. We refer to colors most often by their hue (red, green, blue, etc.).

• Landscape/Portrait Orientation

• A landscape orientation refers to a space or viewable area that is wider than it is tall. A portrait orientation refers to one that is taller than it is wide. In photography, the camera can be used to compose shots in either orientation simply by rotating the camera body 90-degress.

• Negative Space

• Or white space. The portion of an image where no visual content exists. For example, black text on a page represents positive space while the white (or empty) areas surrounding the text is the negative space.

• Perception

• The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, particularly within a visual design.

• Perspective

• A set of techniques used in art and graphic design to represent the depth of a three-dimensional object on a flat surface or two-dimensional design space.

• Positive Space

• The portion of an image where visual elements reside (lines, shapes, forms, etc.).

• Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors

• Primary colors are base colors from which all other colors can be derived through mixing. Secondary colors are derived by mixing two primary colors. Tertiary colors are formed by mixing a primary color with a secondary color.

• RGB Color

• An abbreviation for the primary colors of light: red, green, and blue. RGB color space is a system used for defining color in situations where light-based displays are used to render images by mixing various intensities of red, green, and blue light for each pixel in the image matrix.

• Saturation

• The strength or purity of a color. The red in a stop sign is a highly saturated hue, whereas pink is a desaturated version of the same color. A completely desaturated color contains only variations of white and black as measured along the grayscale.

• Shade, Tint, and Tone

• Adding white to a color hue increases its color value, producing a brighter hue known as a color shade. Conversely, adding black decreases its color value, resulting in a darker hue known as a color tint. Adding both white and black to a color hue creates a color tone.

• Value

• Refers to the relative lightness or darkness of a color. Synonymous with brightness, value can be thought of as the dimmer control on a light switch that raises or lowers the level of light in a room.

• Visual Communication

• Or vis-com. An area of study that investigates the transmission of ideas and information through visual forms and symbols. It explores the cognitive and affective processes that influence the way we perceive (or sense) visual stimuli.

• X-, Y-, and Z-Axis

• Rooted in the Cartesian coordinate system, these denote the planes in three-dimensional space. The x-axis refers to the horizontal plane from left to right, or width. The y-axis refers to the vertical plane from bottom to top, or height. The z-axis is perpendicular to the x- and y- axes and represents depth.

Chapter 5

Principles of Visual Design

• Principles of Visual Design

• The formal rules and principles for optimizing the aesthetic representation of visual elements in two-dimensional space: unity, emphasis, and perceptual forces.

• Emphasis

• A principle of design,which says that a visual composition should have a primary focal point or center of interest.

• Contrast (Value)

• The range of light and dark portions in an image or design. The strongest visible contrast is represented by the difference between black and white. If most of the elements in a visual composition are dark, adding a splash of light on the main subject is a great way to create emphasis.

• Depth

• The perceptual illusion of foreground-background separation created by the visual placement of elements along the z-axis. All things being equal, foreground objects carry more visual weight than mid-ground or background elements. However, manipulating depth of field can alter the perceived emphasis of objects along the z-axis. Our eyes are more quickly drawn to elements within the frame that are in focus.

• Proportion

• The scale of an object relative to other elements within a composition. Larger objects in the frame are usually noticed before smaller objects.

• Scale

• The relative size of one object in comparison to others. For example, text can be scaled up by increasing its font size value and scaled down by decreasing its font size value.

• Perceptual Forces

• Invisible field forces within a visual design that influence the viewer’s focus and gaze.

• Balance

• A state of visual equilibrium in a composition that is achieved by effectively balancing the perceived weight of objects within the frame. In a symmetrical composition, objects of similar shape, color, and size are weighted equally on opposite sides of the frame. In an asymmetrical composition, equilibrium is established using objects of similar shape, color, and size, counter-balanced by virtue of their complimentary placement within the frame.

• Continuation

• A principle of design based on the human tendency to perceive the continuation of a line (real or implied) in a specific direction. This is particularly true when the line or vector is free of obstacles and doesn’t abruptly change direction.

• Figure-Ground

• In Gestalt psychology an element that appears in the foreground of our perceptual field is called a figure, whereas everything behind it is the ground. The figure-ground relationship can be altered with contrast, color, depth, etc.

• Psychological Closure

• The ability of a viewer to mentally complete a visual pattern or impression when only partial information is provided. Psychological closure is the human equivalent of connecting the dots or filling in the gaps.

• Unity

• A desirable visual state whereby the individual elements in a visual composition are perceived as “belonging together,” or residing together in harmony in a complimentary and holistic fashion.

• Alignment

• A principle of design which says that a group of visual elements are more likely to be perceived as belonging together when they are positioned along a common edge or implied line.

• Proximity

• A principle of design, which says that a group of visual elements are more likely to be perceived as belonging together when they are positioned close together.

• Repetition

• A principle of design, which says that the overall unity of a visual composition is strengthened by repeating key visual elements such as lines, colors, shapes, and patterns.

• Similarity

• A principle of design, which says that a group of visual elements are more likely to be perceived as belonging together when their visual attributes are similar and uniform.

• Asymmetrical Balance

• A method of achieving compositional balance, whereby equilibrium is established using objects of differing size, color, tone, etc.

• Body Copy

• The main text of a published document or advertisement.

• Cell

• The editable region of a data table or grid defined by the intersection of a row and column.

• Chunking

• The visual consolidation of related sentences or ideas into small blocks of information that can be quickly and easily digested (e.g., paragraphs, lists, callouts, text boxes, etc.).

• Column

• The vertically aligned cells in a data table or grid.

• F-Layout

• A layout design where the reader’s gaze is directed through the page in a pattern that resembles the letter F.

• Floating Graphic

• The layout of a graphic on a page whereby the adjacent text wraps around it to the left and/or right.

• Focal Point

• The subject or area of a visual design that commands the viewer’s interest or attention.

• Graphic Vector

• Or leading line. A real or implied line created by the placement of a stationary line element within the frame. Focuses the viewer’s gaze in a specific direction.

• Grid System

• A framework of horizontal and vertical lines used for conceptually dividing a page into smaller editable regions.

• Modular Grid

• A conceptual grid structure that breaks up the page with consistently spaced vertical divisions from left to right as well as horizontal divisions from top to bottom. A flexible framework that contains modular design spaces (or spatial zones) that can span across the width of multiple columns.

• Multicolumn Grid

• A conceptual grid structure thatbreaks up the page with vertical divisions (called columns) from left to right.

• Responsive Grid

• A responsive grid or responsive layout is one that is designed to adapt to a variety of screen sizes to maintain consistency of presentation (structure and design) from device to device.

• Single-column Grid

• Or manuscript grid. A conceptual grid structure thatfeatures a single column of visual information bordered by margins on either side of the page. Single-column layouts are used most often for document processing and book publishing, where the content consists mostly of continuous text and few images.

• Gutenberg Diagram

• A primitive eye-tracking model that is used to show how readers scan through a page comprised entirely of evenly distributed text.

• Heading

• A short descriptive title or subtitle used to mark the beginning of a paragraph or content area. Headings are often stylized (for example with bold text) for emphasis. The font size may vary as well to indicate a heading’s level within a structured hierarchy of headings and subheadings.

• Headline

• A special type of heading that is typically placed in a prominent position on the page and that has the biggest and boldest font style on the page.

• High-Key Image

• An image characterized by bright tones with very few dark areas.

• Index Vector

• A continuous visual line that’s created by an object or subject that points conspicuously in a given direction.

• Inline Graphic

• A graphic that is inserted into a text-based column or spatial area. By default, an inline graphic behaves just like a text character. It dissects the line at the point of insertion, pushing adjacent text to the right and thereby producing a gap in the line for it to reside in.

• Layout

• Or page layout. The visual arrangement of text and images on a page.

• Low-Key Image

• An image containing mostly dark tones or color levels. A low-key image communicates a serious, somber, or reflective mood.

• Motion Vector

• A continuous visual line that’s created by the real or apparent movement of subjects within the frame.

• Padding

• The negative space between a design element or region and its outer edge or border. In a table, padding is the negative space between the cell contents and the border surrounding the cell.

• Page

• The physical area of a two-dimensional design space defined by the lengths of width and height (W x H) in either absolute (e.g., inches) or relative (e.g., pixels) units of measurement.

• Page Template

• A pre-designed page or style sheet containing the structural divisions, color scheme, and general formatting for the page and its contents. Page templates are usually created for use with a specific design program.

• Row

• The horizontally aligned cells in a data table or grid.

• Rule of Thirds

• A compositional tool for producing visually appealing images using asymmetrical balance by conceptually dividing up the design space into thirds, both horizontally and vertically.

• Sidebar

• A vertical column along the left or right edge of a page containing text and/or graphic elements.

• Symmetrical Balance

• A method of achieving compositional balance, whereby equilibrium is achieved using objects of similar shape, color, and size, equally weighted on opposite sides of the frame.

• Table

• A set of data values organized in cells using an array of vertical columns and horizontal rows (such as in a spreadsheet). A table can also be used to organize the arrangement of visual elements on a multimedia page.

• Tonal Range

• The number of colors or gradient steps in a composition that fall between the bipolar extremes of black and white.

• Theory of Perceptual Grouping

• A theory dealing with perceptual organization developed in 1923 by German psychologist Max Wertheimer (1880–1943). The laws of perceptual organization suggest that the human brain favors whole forms over random smatterings of disconnected elements. This tendency enables people to retain holistic impressions of shapes and patterns while ignoring the constituent parts used in their construction.

• Visual Hierarchy

• The perceived ordering of content within a page by the reader.

• Z-layout

• A layout design where the reader’s gaze is directed through the page in a pattern that resembles the letter Z.

Chapter 6

Text

• Ascender

• Any part of a lowercase character that extends above the x-height, such as in the vertical stem of the letter b or h.

• Baseline

• An imaginary plane where the bottom edge of each character’s main body rests.

• Baseline Shift

• Refers to shifting the base of certain characters (up or down) to a new position.

• Capline

• An imaginary line denoting the tops of uppercase letters.

• Counter

• The enclosed or partially enclosed open area in letters such as O and G.

• Descender

• Any part of a character that extends below the baseline, such as in the bottom stroke of a y or p.

• Flush Left/Right

• Flush left is the alignment of text along a common left-edged line. Flush right is the alignment of text along a common right-edged line.

• Font Family

• A collection of related fonts – all of the bolds, italics, and so forth, in their various sizes.

• Font Styles/Effects

• Visual effects added to a font by varying the weight, angle, and width of the typeface, or through manipulation of other variables.

• All Caps

• An option that sets selected type to uppercase so that the tops of capital letters touch the capline.

• Bevel

• The rounded off edges of type, giving it the sculpted, graceful look of a raised letterhead, making it appear three-dimensional.

• Boldface

• Increases the width of the stroke and the visual weight of the regular roman letterform.

• Condensed

• A general reference to any typeface that appears tall and thin.

• Drop Shadow

• A visual effect that gives the illusion that words or objects are floating above the background.

• Emboss

• Produces the opposite effect of a bevel, making type appear stamped or pressed into the background.

• Expanded

• A general reference to any typeface that appears short and fat.

• Italic

• A typeface style that emulates the features of handwritten forms.

• Oblique

• A typeface with letterforms based on roman counterparts.

• Roman

• The default posture of a typeface; a neutral typeface that is upright (non-slanting).

• Small Caps

• A style not as visually overwhelming as true uppercase letters. Designers often use them when it’s necessary to type a string of all uppercase letters, as with certain abbreviations and acronyms.

• Strikethrough

• Adds a line through the horizontal center of type, giving it the appearance of being crossed out.

• Stroke

• A colored outline that is placed around the exposed edges of type.

• Subscript

• Characters with a smaller point size that are shifted downward below the baseline (e.g., H2O).

• Superscript

• Characters with a smaller point size that are shifted upward above the baseline (e.g., x2).

• Underline

• A character style that applies a line of the same color as the font to the baseline of selected text.

• Gridline

• A matrix of evenly spaced vertical and horizontal lines that are superimposed over top of the design window as a visual aid for aligning objects.

• Justified

• The term used when both the left and right edges of a paragraph are vertically aligned.

• Kerning

• A technique that selectively varies the amount of space between a single pair of letters and accounts for letter shape; allowing letters like A and V to extend into one another’s virtual blocks.

• Leading

• A term used to define the amount of space between vertically adjacent lines of text.

• Legibility

• Refers to a typeface’s characteristics and can change depending on font size. The more legible a typeface, the easier it is to distinguish and identify letters, numbers, and symbols at a glance.

• Letterform

• The design of individual letters and symbols.

• Mean Line

• An imaginary line denoting the tops of flat-topped lowercase letters.

• Point

• A unit of measurement used for setting the size of fonts in digital screen space. In desktop publishing, there are 72 points in an inch.

• Posture

• The degree to which a letterform is slated to the left or right.

• Readability

• Refers to how easy text is to read in context, not as isolated letters, and depends on a variety of factors, including: typeface characteristics such as italics, font size, style, letter spacing, line spacing, alignment, background, capitalization choices, and contrast.

• Screen Font

• Refers to specific type best used for Web copy. These fonts are rendered on screen using square pixels and the edges of the diagonal and curves strokes often appear jagged.

• Snap Guide

• A virtual or non-printing line on screen that interacts with text and graphics to guide their proper alignment as they’re positioned within the design space. Also known as a gridline.

• Snapping

• When turned on, this feature allows an object close to a gridline to snap into place.

• Text

• The visual representation of intellectual thought as expressed through a human language system.

• Tracking

• A feature that uniformly applies letter spacing across a range of selected text.

• Type

• A graphical character or letterform created for the purpose of communicating written information through printing or electronic means.

• Typeface

• Refers to a particular style of type where the entire set of alphanumeric characters and symbols conform to the same design specifications, such as the height of lowercase letters in relationship to capital letters and whether the characters have serifs.

• Blackletter

• Composed of heavy angular strokes with few curves, making it a rather bold typeface that is difficult to read in small print.

• Decorative

• A general reference to a typeface that connotes a sense of mood, emotion, or attitude; characterized by unusual features that can add splash and pizzazz to a design.

• Dingbat

• A typeface category used to create a printer’s ornament or glyph such as a copyright symbol or mathematical symbol. Popular dingbat fonts include Symbol, Wingdings, Webdings, or Zapf Dingbats.

• Modern

• A category of typeface representing the first noticeable departure from typography’s historical dependency on pen-based letterforms.

• Monospaced

• A typeface with uniform spacing between letters. Monospaced typefaces like Courier are less readable for ordinary purposes but are helpful for illustrating code and in coding applications, when you need to be able to clearly distinguish each letter.

• Old Style

• Typefaces that are similar to Humanist typefaces but are distinguished by a somewhat more vertical stress and horizontal crossbars in the lowercase e.

• Sans-Serif Font

• A typeface containing no serifs (small marks located on the ends of a main character stroke).

• Script

• Typefaces that are among the easiest letterforms to categorize because they so clearly attempt to emulate the cursive style of handwriting, or the artistic appearance of calligraphy.

• Serif Font

• Fonts with small marks located on the ends of a main character stroke. They are the industry standard for body copy that is printed in books, magazines, and newspapers.

• Slab Serif Font

• Typefaces designed specifically for public consumption using large letter type.

• Transitional

• A letterform that falls somewhere between those of Old Style and Modern-era type.

• Typography

• The art of designing and arranging type.

• Web-Safe Font

• Standard fonts that come with all Windows and Mac computer systems and that are supported by all the most popular web browsers.

• X-Height

• The distance between the mean line and the baseline using a lowercase x.

Chapter 7

Graphics

• AI File Format

• Adobe Illustrator’s default file format for vector graphics encoding, created in 2000.

• Aliasing

• A stair-step effect caused by using square pixels to define objects with curves or diagonal lines. One can easily see this effect when looking at text on the screen of a small digital device, such as a cell phone.

• Anti-Aliasing

• A technique used in graphics programs to smooth out the edges of jagged type by blending the color transition points, such as the pixels along the edges of a letter.

• Color Depth

• The number of bits used to record the intensity and color components of an RGB graphic. 24-bit color systems generate a color palette of more than 16 million colors.

• Color Space

• Refers to the physical and mathematical models used to represent colors. CMYK color space is used in printing, while RGB color space is used in digital media.

• Compression

• A method of saving a file in a smaller size in two basic ways: 1) lossless compression looks for more efficient ways to store the data without losing any information; and 2) lossy compression reduces file size by rewriting the data structure of a file more efficiently, thus losing part or all of the original file data.

• Cropping

• A photo editing technique used to delete portions of an image in order to enhance the focus of a main subject or improve composition.

• EPS File Format

• Encapsulated PostScript File Format. Created by Adobe in 1992 for encoding vector graphics.

• GIF File Format

• Graphics Interchange File Format. A common raster or bitmap file form used for encoding graphics for display on web browsers.

• Graphic

• Any type of visual presentation that can be displayed on a physical surface, such as a sheet of paper, wall, poster, blackboard, or computer monitor.

• Image

• A two- or three-dimensional representation of a person, animal, object, or a scene in the natural world.

• JPEG File Format

• A raster or bitmap file format created in 1992 by the Joint Photographic Experts Group as a way for encoding digital photos.

• Layer

• A graphical user interface component used to store the individual elements or objects in a composite visual design, allowing them to be individually edited and manipulated without affecting other design elements or objects in the same project.

• Native Resolution

• The fixed number of image pixels in television or digital display.

• Opacity/Transparency

• The relative transparency or opaqueness of a graphical element or object in a design space. When the opacity setting is set to zero, an object becomes completely transparent and invisible to the naked eye. When set to 100 (or full), the object becomes completely opaque, preventing interactions with underlying pixels or layers in the design space.

• Path

• The combination of points, lines, curves, and shapes in vector imaging to define the area of a picture.

• PDF File Format

• Portable Document Format. A unique graphics file format that is neither exclusively vector nor raster based. It was created by Adobe in 1991 as a potentially universal way for people to exchange documents containing text and graphics in various formats, regardless of computer platform or software.

• Pixel

• A square (or occasionally rectangular) area of light representing a single point in a raster image.

• Pixel Count

• The total number of pixels in a raster matrix.

• Pixel Density

• The number of pixels per inch (PPI) in a raster image per linear inch (across or down each row or column) on a digital display. The greater the pixel density, the smaller each pixel will be when rendered on a physical surface. 72 PPI is the standard pixel density for screen-based content on digital displays. 300 PPI is the standard resolution for print. Also known as spatial resolution.

• PNG File Format

• Portable Network Graphics File Format. A compression file format like JPEG with a color palette of 16 million colors; used mainly for web graphics, logos, and simply illustrations; not suitable for digital photographs.

• Raster Graphic (or Bitmap Image)

• An electronic image formed using pixels to define its visible appearance and structure.

• Rasterize

• The process of converting a vector graphic to a raster image.

• RAW Image File Format

• An uncompressed high-quality file format that records a completely unprocessed version of a digital photograph; used often by professional photographers because it allows them to retain maximum control of image processing during editing.

• Resampling

• A method of changing the size of a raster image by increasing or decreasing the image’s pixel count. Resampling involves redefining the color values of all of the pixels in the image being resized.

• Resolution

• A term generally used to describe the quality of a raster image according to the number of pixels the image contains.

• Resolution Dependent

• An attribute of raster images containing a fixed number of pixels. To make a raster image physically larger, more pixels must be added to the raster matrix. Likewise, pixels must be discarded when making it smaller.

• Resolution Independent

• An attribute of vector graphics that allows them to be mathematically resized without losing any detail or clarity.

• Scaling

• Resizing an image by adjusting the resizing handles along the outer edge. Scaling alone does not change the pixel structure of an image. It merely shrinks or expands the pixels in the image, potentially resulting in visual artifacts.

• SVG File Format

• Scalable Vector Graphics Format. A vector graphics file format used for Web graphics, logos, and illustrations; compatible with most popular Web browsers.

• Vector Graphic

• An electronic image formed using mathematically constructed paths, containing points, lines, curves, and shapes to define its visible appearance and structure.

• Vector Tracing

• The process of recreating a raster graphic as a vector object by converting pixels to paths.

Chapter 8

Photography

• 35 mm

• A professional film format used for still photography and motion picture film. The name of the format refers to the physical width of the film stock, including sprocket holes.

• Angle of View

• A term used to describe the viewable area of a scene that is visible to the lens of the camera.

• Aperture

• Refers to the hole or opening created by the iris of a camera.

• APS-C Image Sensor

• Advanced Photo System Type-C format. A professional DSLR image sensor format measuring 25.1mm by 16.7mm. While considerably smaller than full-frame image sensors, APS-C sensors vary slightly in size by manufacturer and camera model and are used in both prosumer and professional grade cameras.

• Camera RAW

• An option provided on prosumer and professional cameras to save images in an uncompressed format.

• Decisive Moment

• The instant when an action is at its peak, when it’s stronger than it was the moment before or will be the moment after.

• Depth of Field

• Refers to the area of a scene in front of and behind the main subject that is in focus.

• Digital Zoom

• A digital zoom simulates a change in focal length and image magnification artificially, much like enlarging a digital image in a photo-editing program to achieve a narrower angle of view. Digital zooms can lead to image artifacts because pixels are enlarged to achieve magnification, as compared with optical zooming, which using the elements of the lens to achieve a natural effect.

• DSLR

• Digital Single Lens Reflex. A mirror located behind the lens in a camera directs the image to an optical viewfinder, allowing the photographer to compose and focus a scene while viewing it through the lens (TTL).

• Exposure

• The product of two variables: the intensity of light (as controlled by the iris), and the duration of contact with the image sensor (as controlled by the speed of the shutter).

• Exposure Modes

• A series of camera modes, from fully manual to fully automatic, that enable the photographer to control image exposure.

• Exposure Triangle

• A diagram the shows the relationship between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, and how these three variables interact to achieve the exposure value for each shot.

• f-stop

• A series of numbers printed on the aperture ring of a professional camera lens to indicate the size of the aperture. Typical f-stop positions include f/32, f/22, f/16, f/11, f/8, f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8, f/2, and f/1.4. Because the f-stop number is a fraction, the size of the aperture actually decreases as the f-stop number increases.

• Fill Flash

• A mode in which the camera fires the flash every time, even when the exposure meter indicates a sufficient level of natural light.

• Fisheye Lens

• A lens with an extremely short focal length, offering an angle of view as high as 180 degrees.

• Flash

• A camera-mounted light that illuminates the subject as the shutter is released.

• Focal Length

• A measure of the distance (in millimeters) between the optical center of the lens, when focused on infinity, and the surface of the image sensor.

• Focus Modes

• A set of modes used by the photographer to set the subject’s focus. When set to manual focus mode, the photographer manually adjusts the camera to sharpen the subject. When set to autofocus mode, the camera’s internal sensors analyze the scene, calculate the distance from the camera to the subject, and set the focus accordingly.

• Image Sensor

• An electronic component in a digital camera that measures and records light as it passes through the lens and shutter of the camera.

• Image Stabilization

• A feature on many digital cameras that automatically stabilizes the image while a shot is being taken. It can also refer to a physical device such as a tripod or monopod attached to the camera.

• Imaging Chain

• Indicates the four main components of a digital camera: lens, iris, shutter, and image sensor.

• Iris

• An adjustable plastic or metal diaphragm that regulates the amount of light striking the image sensor.

• ISO

• An industry standard rating system for the light-sensitivity of film or an image sensor.

• Landscape Mode

• The opposite of portrait mode. The exposure settings of the camera are optimized for shooting wide shots with a great depth of field.

• Lens

• An integrated optical system made up of one or more individual elements of ground glass or molded plastic. Among other things, the lens type determines subject magnification and the field of view that a camera is capable of “seeing.”

• Macro Lens

• Macro lenses produce high-quality images with low image distortion and are useful for shooting extreme close-ups of small objects, such as insects or flower blossoms

• Metering Modes

• A feature on most cameras giving the photographer a choice of methods for automatically setting the exposure controls and for compensating for different lighting scenarios.

• Mirrorless Camera

• A digital still camera designed for use with interchangeable lenses and a digital viewfinder only. Unlike DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras do not contain a mirror and prism assembly for through the lens viewing, or an optical viewfinder, making them more compact and slimline in size and form factor.

• Normal Lens

• A general all-purpose lens with a medium focal length resulting in an angle of view that falls somewhere in between the extremes of wide-angle and telephoto.

• Optical Zoom

• An optical zoom alters the angle of view by changing the actual focal length of the lens elements. With digital zoom, the image sensor creates the zoom artificially, much like scaling a digital image in a photo-editing program.

• Photography

• The process of fixing an image in time through the action of light.

• Portrait Mode

• A shooting mode that automatically optimizes the exposure controls of the camera for shooting close-ups with a shallow depth of field.

• Prime Lens

• A lens with a single focal length, often classified into one of five main categories: wide-angle, telephoto, normal, novelty (macro and fisheye), and super-telephoto.

• Reciprocity Law

• States that there is an inverse relationship between the intensity of light (as controlled by the iris) and the duration of contact with the image sensor (as controlled by the speed of the shutter). The reciprocity law is expressed mathematically as: exposure = intensity x time.

• Red-Eye

• A visual effect caused by the reflection of the flash off the retina of the eye.

• Selective Focus

• A popular technique used by photographers to heighten the interest of an otherwise ordinary composition. With selective focus, only one primary element in a scene is sharply in focus. The rest of the background and/or foreground elements of the scene are blurred creating a sense of compositional depth.

• Shutter

• A moveable curtain, plate, or other device that controls the amount of time that the image sensor is exposed to light.

• Shutter Speed

• The amount of time the shutter remains open. It can commonly range from 1/ 8,000th of a second to several seconds.

• Stitching Mode

• A mode used for acquiring a sequence of shots that can be joined together in editing to create a high-resolution segmented panorama.

• Telephoto Lens

• Features a long focal length resulting in a very narrow angle of view.

• White Balance

• The process of calibrating the camera to the color temperature of the light illuminating the scene and striking the image sensor.

• Wide-Angle Lens

• Features a relatively short focal length, resulting in the wide angle of view.

• Zoom Lens

• A variable focal length lens that allows the photographer to quickly change the angle of view (by zooming in and out) without having to swap out the lens.

Chapter 9

Digital Sound and Video Recording

• Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)

• An MPEG-2 open standard that improved audio compression and extended the stereo capabilities of MPEG-1 to multichannel surround sound (Dolby Digital).

• Advanced Video Coding (AVC)

• Or AVC, H.264, MPEG-4, and H.264/MPEG-4. A high-quality compression codec developing primarily as a method for distributing full bandwidth high-definition video to the home video consumer.

• Audio Exchange File Format (AIFF)

• An uncompressed audio file format released by Apple in 1988 for recording and transmission of digitally sampled sound.

• Audio/Video Bit Depth

• In digital audio sampling, this is the number of bits used to encode the value of a given sample. In digital video sampling, bit depth refers to the number of bits assigned to each pixel in the image matrix for defining each color channel in an RGB television image.

• Audio/Video Bit Rate

• The transmission speed of a compressed audio or video bitstream during playback as expressed in kilobits per second (Kbps).

• Audio/Video Compression

• A method of saving a file in a smaller size in two basic ways: 1) lossless compression looks for more efficient ways to store the data without losing any information; and 2) lossy compression reduces file size by rewriting the data structure of a file more efficiently, thus losing part or all of the original file data.

• Autofocus (AF)

• A focus mode setting where the camera’s internal sensors analyze the scene, calculate the distance from the camera to the subject, and automatically set the focus appropriately to the scene.

• Automatic Gain Control (AGC)

• A feature often included on recording devices that, when activated, causes the device to automatically adjust the signal amplitude (gain). AGC is not recommended for most professional audio recording situations.

• AVCHD

• A variation of the MPEG-4 standard developed jointly in 2006 by Sony and Panasonic. Originally designed for consumers, AVCHD is a proprietary file-based recording format that has since been incorporated into a growing fleet of prosumer and professional camcorders.

• Bitstream

• A binary sequence of bits (0s and 1s) representing a digital audio or video recording or channel. For example, in a digital stereo audio, there are two bitstreams, one for the left channel and one for the right channel.

• Clipping

• Waveform distortion that occurs when too much amplification is applied to the audio signal during recording or mixing.

• Codec

• Short for coder-decoder. A computer program or algorithm designed for encoding and decoding audio and/or video into raw digital bitstreams.

• Container File Format (Wrapper)

• A unique kind of file format used for bundling and storing the raw digital bitstreams that codecs encode.

• De-Interlace

• The process of converting an interlaced video signal with odd and even scanning fields to a progressive signal with consecutive horizontal scanning lines.

• Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)

• A popular optical disc format released in 1995 as an alternative format to VHS and Betamax for delivering standard-definition feature-length films to consumers. DVDs use a red laser beam to record and play an MPEG-2 encoded video stream and can hold 4.7 GB of digital content.

• Dolby Digital (AC3) Audio Format

• A widely used multichannel surround sound format capable of supporting up to 7.1 channels of audio. Dolby Digital 5.1 is a six-channel broadcast, cinema, and home theater standard that distributes audio to five normal-range speakers, three in the front (L-C-R) and two in the rear (L-R), and one subwoofer (for low-frequency sounds). Dolby Digital 7.1 adds two additional side-mounted speakers (L-R) into the mix. AAC compression produces a superior quality recording and a smaller file size compared to MP3 files encoded at the same bit rate.

• Encoding

• The process a device or software application uses to numerically represent a multimedia asset in binary form.

• Exposure Triangle

• A term that describes the interrelationships of the three primary exposure settings on a digital still or video camera: 1) aperture, 2) ISO, and 3) shutter speed.

• f-stop/t-stop

• A series of numbers printed on the aperture ring of a professional camera lens to indicate the size of the aperture. Typical f-stop positions include f/32, f/22, f/16, f/11, f/8, f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8, f/2, and f/1.4. Because the f-stop number is a fraction, the size of the aperture actually decreases as the f-stop number increases. A t-stop uses an alternative scale for controlling the aperture setting and is more commonly associated with digital cinematography.

• File-Based Recording

• The process of recording an audio and video signal directly to disk, typically using a flash memory card, as digital bitstreams enclosed in a wrapper or container file.

• Follow Focus

• A device attached to a video or film camera that enables more precise control of a camera’s focusing mechanism, typically by an assistant camera operator known as a focus puller.

• Frame/Field

• A field is one complete scanning pass of either the odd or even lines in an interlaced television signal. A frame is one complete scanning pass of all lines (odd and even) in an interlaced television signal. Also known as one complete scanning cycle.

• Frame Rate

• Or fps. Refers to the number of frames transmitted per second on a television monitor or film projector.

• H.264/H.265

• See Advanced Video Coding (AVC).

• Headphones

• A padded listening device worn over the ears for monitoring the audio signal.

• High-Definition (HD)

• A set of television standards for encoding 16:9 high-resolution video signals at a variety of resolutions (1920x1080 or 1280x720), scanning modes (interlaced or progressive), and frame rates (24, 25, 30, 50, 60).

• Interlaced Scanning

• A technique used in television broadcasting whereby each frame of video is captured and transmitted in two parts, one field at a time.

• IEC/ISO/ITU

• International Electrotechnical Commission/International Organization for Standardization/International Telecommunication Union. Nonprofit NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) whose mission is to define international standards.

• IRE Unit

• A unit of measurement used to indicate the voltage value of a composite video signal as an indicator of its dynamic range from black to white.

• Manual Focus (MF)

• A focus mode that allows the photographer to manually adjust the sharpness the subject using the focus ring or menu settings.

• Moving Pictures Experts Group

• Also known as MPEG. A “working group” tasked with developing open standards for video and audio compression.

• MP3 Audio Format

• The first digital codec designed for storing music on a portable audio player. MP3 offers users the ability to compress CD-quality audio (44.1 kHz) by a ratio of 10:1.

• Neutral Density Filter

• An internal or external camera lens filter that reduces the intensity of light striking the image sensor without altering its color temperature.

• Open Standard

• A standard that is publicly released but that often stipulates specific conditions and applications for its use. Open standards are typically drafted and approved by a committee comprised of technical experts and stakeholders in the industry.

• Progressive Scanning

• A technique used in computer monitors and digital televisions to reproduce images by consecutively scanning the lines of the picture from top to bottom.

• Proprietary Format

• A digital multimedia format created by a third-party organization or manufacturer that is not universally used as an open industry standard

• Pulse-Code Modulation

• An industry-standard method for professionally recording sound, using the technique of sampling to reduce a continuous signal into a sequence of discrete samples that can be defined mathematically.

• QuickTime

• A multimedia container format released by Apple Computer in 1991.

• Rack Focus

• A technique used to shift the viewer’s attention from one subject to another along the z-axis by changing focus during a shot.

• Record Level/Gain

• The input level of a recorded audio signal source in a video or sound project.

• Refresh Rate

• On an electronic display, the number of complete scanning cycles per second, measured in hertz.

• Resolution

• A term generally used to describe the quality of a raster image according to the number of pixels the image contains. For example, the resolution of a standard high-definition television signal is 1920x1080 pixels.

• Sample Rate

• Or sampling rate. In a digital recording system, it indicates the number of samples (or measurements) recorded each second. Designated in kilohertz (kHz) units. Professional audio is recorded at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz, or 44,100 samples per second. The film or television sample rate is usually stated as frames per second, such as 24 fps or 30 fps.

• Short-Range Apparent Motion

• The illusion of motion we perceive from film, video, and animation, due to the rapid progression of still pictures or image frames in a sequence.

• Sound Check

• A test recording conducted for the purpose of adjusting the record levels to an appropriate setting on the VU (volume unit) meters.

• Standard Definition (SD)

• A legacy NTSC (National Television System Committee) broadcast television standard with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 480i resolution (720 by 480).

• Ultra-High Definition (UHD)

• An advanced HD standard supporting 4K and 8K video images.

• VU Meter

• Or volume unit meter. A physical or virtual component that displays the strength of the microphone signal (in decibel units) after it has passed through the system preamp.

• Waveform Audio File Format

• Also known as WAV. An uncompressed audio file format developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM for recording and transmission of digitally sampled sound.

• XAVC

• A proprietary video recording format created by Sony for encoding ultra-high-definition video such as 4K and 8K. Sony licenses XAVC to other manufacturers for use in their camera systems.

• Zebra Patterning

• A feature of digital cameras to help the shooter achieve proper exposure. With the Zebra setting turned on, the viewfinder will display cross-hatched diagonal lines, resembling Zebra stripes, over any portion of the image that is overexposed.

Chapter 10

Audio Production

• Amplitude

• Or gain. A sound pressure wave’s intensity, or dynamic pressure. The strength or magnitude of an audio signal that humans perceive as loudness.

• Analog Signal

• A recording method that represents the attributes of images or sound as a continuous signal.

• Audio/Audio Production

• The reproduction of sound in electronic form.

• Balanced Audio

• A three-conductor cable design, whereby the impedance or resistance of the current is the same in both directions. Professional XLR cables are balanced, and thus have a dedicated shield. For this reason, they are less susceptible to external sources of interference during the recoding process.

• Boom Pole

• A device that allows the audio operator to extend the microphone 6 to 12 feet into the scene where the subject or actors are located.

• Condenser Microphone

• A type of microphone design using a capacitor to record variations in amplitude and frequency. Condenser microphones require an external power source (battery or phantom power).

• Decibel (dB)

• A logarithmic unit of measurement used to quantify the sound pressure level (SPL) or magnitude of a sound wave.

• Dynamic/Moving Coil Microphone

• A type of microphone design thatuses acoustic energy and mechanical vibration as the means for producing the electromagnetic signal required for analog recording.

• Dynamic Range

• The difference in loudness from the quietest point to the loudest in an audio recording.

• Dynamic Range Compression (DRC)

• A popular audio processing technique that reduces dynamic range by limiting the output gain of the loudest sounds while boosting the quieter ones. When applied effectively to vocals or instruments, compression makes their waveforms more consistent and suitable for mixing.

• Equalization (EQ)

• The process of altering the frequency or pitch of an audio signal or various frequency bands within an audio signal.

• Frequency

• The relatively low or high pitch of sound measured in hertz (Hz) units (cycles per second).

• Gain

• The input level of a recorded audio signal source in a sound project.

• Handheld Microphone

• A microphone specifically designed for the talent or performer to hold during a recording session or live performance.

• Inverse Square Law

• States that the intensity of sound decreases by roughly half (or 6 dB) each time the distance from the sound source to the microphone is doubled.

• Lavalier Microphone

• Or lapel or lav microphone. A low-profile microphone designed with an electret condenser transducer element. May be attached directly to the talent’s clothing. Ideal for speech and vocal acquisition (interviews) in settings where background noise is minimal.

• Microphone

• A recording instrument used to convert sound waves into an electrical equivalent that can be stored, transmitted, and played back through an audio sound system.

• Mini Plug

• A miniature version of the 1/4” phono plug with a 1/8” TS or TRS connector.

• Monitoring

• Or audio monitoring. A two-step process that includes (1) the objective act of measuring sound intensity (in dB units) and setting the record levels, and (2) the subjective act of listening to the audio signal as it is being recorded.

• Natural or Ambient Sound

• Or nat sound. Naturally occurring background sounds that occur in an uncontrolled recording environment (on location or field recording).

• Over-Under Wrap

• A technique that eliminates twisting a cable as it is wrapped into a coil for storage.

• Phantom Power

• A 48-volt (+48V) electric current that’s applied by the recording device or mixer to the capacitor of a condenser microphone through an attached microphone cable.

• Plug/Jack Connector

• The male end of an audio connector is called the plug and the female end or receiving socket is referred to as the jack.

• Polar Pattern

• A visual reference to how well a microphone picks up sound within 360° of its central axis.

• Preamp

• An electronic component included in recording devices and mixers for boosting the strength of an incoming microphone signal during recording.

• Proximity Effect

• An acoustic phenomenon that boosts the performer’s vocal bass frequencies as they move progressively closer to the microphone diaphragm.

• Ribbon Microphone

• A type of microphone design that uses a thin metal ribbon of corrugated metal, usually aluminum, as the transduction element. Ribbon microphones are technically superior to moving-coil designs because they respond to sound bi-directionally, from both the front and the back of the element.

• Shotgun Microphone

• Or ultracardioid. A microphone with an extremely narrow pickup pattern.

• Sound

• A natural phenomenon that involves the transmission of an oscillating pressure wave through a physical space (solid, liquid, or gas).

• Sound Bite

• A short, edited segment or excerpt from a radio or television interview. In radio broadcasting, the term actuality is interchangeable with sound bite.

• Sound Effects (SFX)

• Any recorded or created sounds designed to support or enhance the visual action on screen.

• Sound Pressure Level (SPL)

• The intensity or magnitude of a sound pressure wave.

• Sound Pressure Wave

• A mechanical wave created through molecular vibration that humans perceive as sound.

• Sound-On-Tape (SOT)

• A term used to describe synchronized audio captured on location at the time of a video or film recording.

• Transducer

• The main component of a microphone designed for converting the acoustical waveform signature of a sound wave into an electrical voltage signal representing the amplitude and frequency of the recorded sound.

• Unbalanced Audio

• A two-conductor cable design, whereby the shield also functions as the signal return wire, creating a state of unbalanced impedance or resistance across the two wires. Unbalanced cables are highly susceptible to external sources of interference and should only be used for shorts runs.

• Voiceover

• A narrative device used to describe an audio segment that’s recorded off-camera without synchronized video. It is the sound of the hidden announcer, storyteller, reporter, narrator, or host, who guides the audience through the program, filling in details while adding color and continuity to the linear presentation of information.

• Windscreen

• A soft foam cover or enclosure designed to fit over the microphone transducer to eliminate or minimize unwanted sounds, such as those caused by wind or vocal plosives.

• Wireless Microphone

• A microphone that uses RF transmission instead of a cable to transmit the audio signal from the microphone to the recording device. A remote transmitter is attached to the talent or actor while a paired receiver is connected to the camera.

• XLR Connector

• A balance audio connector used on professional microphones and audio equipment.

Chapter 11

Video Production

• 180-Degree Rule

• A filmmaking convention used when shooting a scene, typically with two subjects, from multiple camera angles and takes. The axis of action is an imaginary vector or line that dissects both subjects in the scene. The 180-degree rule requires that cameras shooting from different angles be placed on the same side of the line in order to preserve directional continuity when the shots are edited together into a sequence.

• Arc

• The movement of the entire camera and support system to the left or right along a curved path. A director specifies the path of an arc move with the commands “arc left” and “arc right.”

• B-Roll

• A term used to describe individual shots that are intentionally acquired to enhance or illustrate the audio portion of a visual narrative.

• Backlight

• A lighting instrument used in three-point lighting to separate the subject from the background by accentuating the contours of the subject’s hair and shoulders.

• Close-Up (CU)

• A shot designation referring to relatively tight shots of the subject acquired from a narrow angle of view. An extreme close-up (XCU) moves in even tighter on a subject, for example, on the subject’s face or specific facial features, such as the eyes or mouth.

• Coverage

• A filmmaking term used to describe the number of shots and camera angles used to capture a scene or build a sequence.

• Cross-Shot

• In a scene with two subjects, a cross-shot is an individual close-up shot of one subject, often from 45-degree angle.

• Cut-In Shot

• A shot that shifts the viewer’s attention to close-up or alternative view of an object or action within the frame.

• Cutaway Shot

• A shot that shifts the viewer’s attention to an object or action taking place outside the current field of view.

• Dolly

• A movement of the entire camera and support system forward or backwards in a relatively straight line. A director specifies the path of a dolly move with the commands “dolly in” and “dolly out.”

• Establishing Shot

• A wide shot crafted for the purpose of visually introducing the viewer to a new scene or location.

• Fill Light

• A lighting instrument used in three-point lighting to compensate for falloff by softening the dark shadows created by the key light without eliminating them entirely.

• Film Grammar

• A term used metaphorically to describe the visual syntax and basic building blocks of visual narratives and the associated screenwriting conventions in scripts, storyboards, treatments, and the like.

• Flag

• A light modification tool used to block out direct light or prevent spill light from striking your subject. It functions as a barrier obstructing the passage of light beyond a certain point.

• Frame

• One complete scanning pass of all of the lines (odd and even) in a picture, or one complete scanning cycle.

• Fresnel

• A focusable lighting instrument that allows the user to alter the angle of the beam across a range, from a narrow beam of hard light to a broad beam of softer light.

• Handheld Shot

• A shot composed while holding the camera by hand.

• Headroom

• The amount of space between the top of a subject’s head and the top of the video frame.

• High-Angle Shot

• A shot composed from above the subject, looking down.

• Key Light

• A lighting instrument used in three-point lighting. It is usually the brightest of the three light sources and is used to highlight the basic shape of the subject.

• Lead Room/Nose Room

• The amount of space between the front of a profiled subject and the left or right edge of the video frame.

• Low-Angle Shot

• A shot composed from below the subject, looking up.

• Master Shot

• A medium- to wide-shot shot that includes all of the subjects in a scene within the frame. In a scene with two subjects, this is a two-shot, typically composed using symmetrically balance with complementary framing of both subjects on the left and right side of the frame.

• Medium Shot (MS)

• A shot designation referring to any number of shots falling between a close-up and a wide shot. Medium shots generally contain only a portion of the subject in the frame while allowing sufficient room for gestures, actions, or references to nearby people and objects just beyond the frame. The cutoff point for a medium shot can occur near the ankles, knees, waist, elbows, shoulders, or neck.

• Multi-Camera Production

• A production setup using two or more cameras simultaneously to capture action from multiple angles. Individual shots can be edited together in postproduction using a multicam editing workflow or switched in real-time using a live video production switcher and audio mixer. Multi-camera production is the dominant mode of video production used in broadcast studio news programs, professional sports events, situation comedies, awards shows, talk shows, game shows, cooking shows, and many other types of live events or studio originated programs.

• Natural Sound

• The background or ambient sound in a scene that typically accompanies B-roll.

• Over-The-Shoulder (OTS) Shot

• A variation of two-shot where the camera shoots over the back or shoulder of the foreground subject to a front-facing view of a second person, looking back.

• Pan

• The swivel movement of a camera in a horizontal sweep, left or right, on a fixed pivot point.

• Pedestal

• A camera support system designed for moving a camera up or down along a vertical shaft of pressurized air.

• Point of View (POV) Shot

• The angle from which a shot is acquired. In film grammar, a POV shot is one that reveals to the viewer what the subject is seeing through his or her own eyes.

• Primary Motion

• A reference to motion within the frame that is produced by the movement of the real subjects or objects within the frame.

• Principle Photography

• The acquisition phase of a film or video project during which time the bulk of a program’s footage is shot and recorded.

• Reflector

• A light modification tool used to redirect light to fill in areas of the subject that are unevenly lit.

• Scene

• An event within a film that takes place in a single location within a specific period of time.

• Scrim

• A translucent material made of spun glass, fabric, plastic, or wire mesh that’s placed between a lighting source and the subject to diffuse the beam and soften its cast.

• Script Breakdown

• A comprehensive analysis of each scene, shot by shot, with the goal of creating a detailed shot list and shooting schedule.

• Secondary Motion

• A reference to motion within the frame that is produced through the movement of the camera during shot acquisition.

• Sequence

• An edited series of individual shots that promotes a sense of continuous action or narrative flow.

• Set/Setup

• The location of a film or video shoot is generally referred to as the set. A setup is the process of staging every aspect of a film or video shoot, from the moment a camera captures the first shot to when the director declares “it’s a wrap!” and the crew begins to strike the set.

• Shooting Ratio

• The “mathematical relationship between the total hours of footage shot and the eventual runtime of the film.”

• Shot Log

• A record of each shot created during production that includes a detailed rundown and notes specifying the scene or subject, composition, audio, and director comments about good and bad takes.

• Shot/Shot List

• A shot is a continuous live or recorded moving image taken from a single camera’s point of view over time and is the smallest standalone component in a visual time-based narrative. A shot list is a document created in preproduction containing a collection of shots that the director envisions needing for a particular video project or production endeavor.

• Single-Camera Production

• A production setup involving the use of a single camera for principle photography. With this production method, individual setups occur each time the camera is physically moved to a new location, at which point lighting and other details affecting composition, staging, blocking, etc., are reset according to the director’s instructions. This is the most prevalent shooting mode used in the production of motion pictures, television dramas, reality shows, documentaries, news stories, human subject features or biopics, non-performance music videos, and television commercials.

• Sound Bite (SOT or Sound on Tape)

• A short excerpt, typically less than 15 seconds long, taken from a recorded on-camera interview.

• Take

• A single recorded instance of a particular shot.

• Tertiary Motion

• Or sequence motion. A reference to motion within the frame that is produced through editing or the application of video transitions and effects.

• Three-Point Lighting

• A technique for lighting a single on-camera subject using three light sources arranged in a triangular pattern. Comprised of a key light, fill light, and backlight.

• Tilt

• The swivel movement of a camera in a vertical sweep, up or down, on a fixed pivot point.

• Tripod

• A support system comprised of three telescoping legs upon which a camera is mounted for image stabilization.

• Truck

• A lateral movement of the entire camera and support system from left to right (or vice versa) in a relatively straight line. A director specifies the path of a truck move with the commands “truck left” and “truck right.”

• Two-Shot

• A shot designation referring to the inclusion of two subjects within the frame.

• Viewfinder

• An optical or electronic device that allows the photographer or camera operator to see the field of view and compose the shot.

• Wide Shot (WS)

• A shot designation referring to any shot that reveals the subject in its entirety.

Chapter 12

Non-Linear Editing

• Alpha Channel

• The fourth channel in a 32-bit RGB graphics file reserved for transparency information. The alpha channel serves as a mask when superimposing one image on top of another.

• Audio Track/Channel

• A region of the NLE timeline or mixer interface dedicated to processing a single audio signal. A mono audio track is used for single channel audio recording. A stereo audio track is required for representing the left and right channels of a stereo audio signal.

• Bin

• A virtual container, similar to a folder, that’s used for storing and organizing clips and other media assets in a non-linear editing program.

• Color Correction

• Repairing the color of a shot in post-production using video filters and tools within the NLE.

• Color Grading

• A postproduction workflow where adjustments are made to the color properties of a film or video to enhance or emphasize a particular aesthetic style and mood that the director wants to create through the manipulation of color and light.

• Dissolve

• A gradual transition from one shot to another that is created by overlapping a fade-out of one clip with a fade-in of the next clip in sequence.

• Editor

• The person whose responsibility it is to assemble media clips into a thoughtful linear sequence with an intentionally crafted beginning, middle, and end.

• Effect

• Sometimes called a filter. The purposeful alteration of a video or audio clip.

• Fade

• The gradual transition from video to black or from black to video. A fade-in alerts the viewer to the start of a program or scene with a transition from black to video. A fade-out signals the end of a program or scene with a transition from video to black.

• Final Cut

• The fifth stage of the editing process signifying the end of the editing phase, or picture lock; can occur before mastering or distribution of a completed project that’s ready for public viewing.

• Fine Cut

• The fourth stage of the editing process where fine-tuning is performed to improve the rhythm and pacing of sound and visuals by: refining cut points and transitions at the beginning and end of clips; enhancing visual and audio continuity; adding or refining elements like music, motion effects, titles, graphics, transitions, audio levels, sound processing, color grading, etc.

• First Assembly

• The second stage of the editing process typically comprised of a loosely constructed sequence of selected footage to give the editor and director an overall sense of story and narrative flow.

• Freeze Frame

• A single frame (or still image) copied from a video clip.

• Full Screen Graphic

• A film, television or video graphic that fills the entire screen, such as a title card.

• In and Out Points

• The starting and end points assigned to the source clip and master timeline during an edit.

• Intermediate Format

• A postproduction codec using intraframe compression, which is easier to decode, making editing faster and more efficient. By transcoding to an intraframe format for editing, playback and rendering artifacts are kept to a minimum, and the editing process goes more smoothly.

• J Cut and L Cut

• An L Cut is a type of split edit where the video transition to the next clip in the timeline is completed first while audio continues from the previous clip. A J Cut is the reverse technique where the audio transition to the next clip occurs first prior to the video transition.

• Jump Cut

• The abrupt transition from one shot to a similar shot of the same subject with little to no change in focal length, camera angle, or camera position.

• Keyframe

• A marked frame in an edited sequence used to automatically trigger a change in an audio or video property, such as color value (hue, saturation, brightness, etc.), opacity, volume, transitions, and effects (blurring, dissolves, etc.).

• Logging and Synchronization

• The first stage in the editing process used for preparing clips for editing, reviewing footage, and logging footage and media assets using a metadata schema for organizing and attaching descriptive notes and information to clips prior to editing.

• Lower-Third Graphic

• A television graphic used to identify the name of the person appearing on screen. They are typically positioned in the lower-third area of the frame and are sometimes referred to as supers because they are superimposed over a background video source.

• Master Project Folder

• The parent folder on an attached hard drive containing all of the folders and files related to an editing project or session.

• Media Clip

• A virtual representation of a media file that’s been imported into an editing project or session. Changes can be made to a media clip without effecting the media file to which it is linked.

• Media File

• A digitally stored media asset such as a recorded video, sound, or graphic intended for importing into an editing project or session.

• Metadata

• Information such as file type, clip duration, frame rate, logging notes, etc. that are embedded in a media file and accessible to the editor while working in NLE software.

• Nonlinear Editing (NLE)

• The process of editing digitally using a computer and video editing software.

• Playhead

• A virtual control in NLE software that defines your position within a time-based clip or edited sequence.

• Pointer File

• A relatively small data file that “points” to a larger underlying media file in your master project folder. It functions as an alias or virtual representation of the real thing.

• Project File

• The project file is an application data file used for keeping track of all information in an editing session. It can be thought of as a set of instructions for playing media clips back as an edited sequence in real time.

• Rendering

• A background process carried out by the NLE that results in the creation of new files when certain types of edits are performed. While many editing actions and effects (such as adding a dissolve to two clips) can be viewed immediately within the NLE, they are not complete until the computer renders them. Depending on your computer system and software, complex effects may not be viewable until after they are rendered. Rendering is a necessary final step before exporting an NLE project.

• Ripple and Rolling Edit

• A ripple edit is an editing technique or tool used to move the edit point of one clip without changing the edit point of an adjacent clip or those further down the timeline in either direction. It does so by moving all the clips to the left or right of the trimmed clip the same amount in the same direction, thus creating a ripple effect. A rolling edit is an editing technique or tool used to trim the common edit points shared by two adjacent clips without changing their combined total duration. To do so, the out point of the first clip and the in point of the next clip are changed at the same time, in one tandem move, by the same number of frames.

• Rough Cut

• The third stage of the editing process. A first working draft of an audio or video edited sequence that is typically a structurally complete version of the project from beginning to end but lacking polish and detail.

• Scratch Disk

• The folder on a physical hard drive or server designated to store video assets associated with an NLE project.

• Scrubbing

• The act of listening to the audio portion of a clip as you move the playhead back and forth at various speeds. Scrubbing is a useful technique for locating sound artifacts that you want to eliminate or isolate in editing.

• Sequence

• A time-based ordering of shots within an NLE timeline.

• Split Edit

• An editing technique in which the transition of the audio and video portions of a clip occur at different times.

• Stringout

• A preliminary type of rough cut used in narrative film editing in which the editor includes all the shots and takes in a particular scene, providing an overview of all the useable footage, and an opportunity for the editor and director to select the best takes for inclusion in a more completed version of a rough cut.

• Three-Point Editing

• A standard technique in non-linear editing for inserting trimmed clips from the source monitor (marked with an in and an out point) into the timeline (marked with an in point). The NLE requires only three points be set in order to perform an edit.

• Time Ruler

• A component of the NLE interface that displays the current location of the playhead and the associated time within the sequence.

• Timecode

• A numerical timestamp recorded on each video frame, giving it a unique physical address.

• Timeline

• A window in the NLE interface displaying the edited sequence or program as it is being created.

• Title Card

• A full screen clip typically containing a combination of text and graphics.

• Transition

• An effect applied to the timeline at the beginning or end of a video or audio clip.

• Tweening

• An automation technique in which the NLE software interpolates the value of specific clip properties for each of the frames located between two or more keyframes. The term tweening is short for inbetweening.

• Video Track

• A region of an NLE timeline dedicated to processing a single video signal.

• Wipe

• A video transition in which a linear movement or sweeping pattern occurs from one clip to the next.

Chapter 13

User Interface Design

• Above the Fold

• A design principle that originated in the age of print media. Since most newspapers are delivered folded up, readers initially only see the top half of the front page. For this reason, layout editors place important news and engaging images on the upper half of a newspaper’s front page. User interfacedesigners adopted the term above the fold (or above the scroll) torefer to the part of a webpage or screen that is visible without scrolling.

• Accordion

• A special typeof menu constructed with a vertically or horizontally stacked list ofsections that expand or collapse when selected.

• Agency

• The degree towhich a user contributes to creating media content. An increased sense ofagency can boost media stickiness and better engage users with theinterface.

• Archives

• A searchablecollection of digital records organized by descriptive categories or fields.

• Augmented Reality

• A form of amediated reality whereby a computer-generated enhancement, such as text,graphics, audio, global positioning system (GPS) data, and other sensoryelements, are placed atop a user’s real-world environment in real time.

• Breadcrumb

• A navigationalfeature that allows users to keep track of their path as they move aroundwithin a database or complex series of layers or pages.

• Card Sorting

• A techniquerooted in taxonomy, a field of study that deals with the nature and practiceof scientific classification. Card sorting begins by identifying the contentand features you want to include as a part of a design’s information architecture and then writing them down on individual index cards or slips ofpaper. Users then sort the cards into stacks according to how they think the information should be grouped.

• Carousel

• A UI design thatarranges items along a horizontal line. Only a few items are visible to theuser at a time. Additional items are revealed by scrolling to the left orright; resulting in the carousel-like movement of icons or thumbnails acrossthe screen.

• Checkbox

• A data input component that lets users select multiple options from a list of alternatives.

• Collaborative Filtering

• A set of techniques for presenting users with personalized information that is basedon aggregate data collected from other users.

• Content Inventory

• A list of all the content on a user interface to assist designers in determining what toinclude on the interface and how it should be organized following aparticular hierarchy.

• Cosmetic Customization

• A set of features that allow the user to personalize the visual presentation of aninterface without affecting its function (e.g., creating personal avatars on agaming device).

• Data Mining

• Various techniques used for recording, collecting, or soliciting user information oractions.

• Dropdown List

• A user interface component that prompts users to select from a list of mutually exclusiveoptions displayed vertically from top to bottom.

• Dropdown Menu

• A type of menu that, when activated, expands vertically and/or horizontally to reveal a listof selectable subsections.

• Footer

• A content regionlocated at the bottom of the page containing metadata and/or general information of lesser importance (company/author name, webmaster contact, copyright, legal information, and policies such as terms of use, disclaimers, etc.).

• Form

• A UI component designed to collect information from the user via direct input. A form can contain numerous types of input elements such as text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and submit buttons. Each input element on a form is used tocollect a single piece of information (first name, last name, age, gender,etc.).

• Functional Customization

• A set of features that allow the user to change the functionality of an interface.

• Information Architecture (IA)

• “The structural design of information systems, interactive services, and user experience.”

• Interactivity

• The reciprocal communication between the media and the user facilitated by various technology features; in other words, it’s the user and the media communicating with one another.

• Interface

• Also known as a graphicaluser interface. A visual component of an interactive design that includeselements of windows, icons, menus, buttons, scrolling bars, etc. Theseelements allow users to interact with electronic devices through visualindicators rather than text via command lines.

• Menu

• A user interface component that provides users with a list of choices through the presentationof onscreen visual prompts.

• Mockup

• A full-size layout of a visual design developed for the purpose of refining or testing aconcept.

• Moodboard

• A collection of visual elements that establishes the overall tone of your design and decidesusers’ emotional responses when using your interface. In addition to definingthe brand personality, a moodboard also clearly communicates the style of theinterface to guide subsequent design.

• Navigation

• A system of features and components that provide structure and organization to amultimedia experience or user interface.

• Pagination

• A UI (userinterface) component that allows users to easily navigate through the partsof a large body of information that is logically broken up into subsectionsor pages.

• Persona

• A written narrative that attempts to capture the key characteristics of the primary target users. It is usually depicted as a fictional person but is synthesized from the designer’s observations and research of many people who might be thepotential users of the interface.

• Personalization

• Computerized attempts to customize.

• Primary Navigation

• A menu or user navigation system that organizes content that users aremost interested in by major topical headings or labels (e.g., Home, About Us, Products, Contact Us, etc.). Primary navigation is usually placed in the mostvisible place above the fold, such as the top of the interface below theheader and the logo. The primary navigation system or nav bar component canbe laid out either horizontally or vertically.

• Prototype

• A paper or working model of a multimedia project designed for simulation and testing.

• Radio Button

• A data input component that lets users choose one option from a list of mutually exclusive options.

• Secondary Navigation

• A menu or user navigation system that organizes content that is less often visited byusers.

• Sitemap Diagram

• A flowchart that visualizes the structure of all pages or screens listed in a contentinventory. It is different from a content inventory in that it focuses on thedetails of what to include, emphasizing the relationships betweenparent-child pages/screens/categories.

• Tab

• An interfacedesign component used to provide user access to different content modules orsections. The technique is similar to labeling folders and organizing them ina file cabinet.

• Tailoring

• Any technique orfeature that allows an interface to be adapted to the needs or preferences of an individual user, giving them a tailored experience.

• Task Flow

• A flow chart created to organize the sequence of steps representing a scenario orscenarios in which a user interacts with the interface.

• Text Field

• An input component used on forms to collect text-based information (name, address,etc.).

• Thumbnail

• A reduced-size version of a larger image used to illustrate any visual item, such as apicture, a frame from a video clip, or a screenshot of a web page.

• Touch Interface

• A UI (userinterface) that allows the user to directly interact with what is displayed on screen by using one or more fingers (such as on an iPhone or tablet device).

• Usability

• A measure of the extent to which users of an interface can achieve their context-specificgoals effectively, efficiently, and with satisfaction.

• Usability Testing

• Systematic methods of evaluating and refining an interface or product throughout themultimedia design process to ensure that it meets industry standards forusability.

• User Interface (UI)

• Any system of physical and/or virtual controls designed to allow users to interact with adigital application or device.

• User-Centered Design (UCD)

• The thoughtful and deliberate process of creating an interface to meet the needs of real users.

• Virtual Reality (VR)

• The emulation of reality. As defined by Dr. Jason Jerald, virtual reality presents our senses with a computer-generated three-dimensional environment that can be interacted and experienced as if it were real.

• Voice Interface

• An interface technology that allows users to interact with digital devices and issue commands by voice or speech.

• Wearable Technology

• Refers tovarious kinds of smart electronic devices that can be worn on the body, suchas VR headsets, fitness bands, and smartwatches.

• Web User Interface (WUI)

• Considered one of the most widely used graphical user interfaces, WUIs allow users tointeract with content presented in the form of Web pages; usually through theuse of a Web browser.

• Wireframe

• A simple visual representation of the layout or skeletal structure of a multimedia page or interface.

Chapter 14

Coding for Web and Mobile Media

• Attributes

• HTML syntax used to modify an HTML element (or tag). Usually occurs as a name-value pair, separated by "=".

• Block Element

• HTML elements specifically designed to handle large chunks of information (e.g., paragraphs, lists, and list items).

• Boilerplate

• The HTML template created at the start of a project containing the minimum code that should be on every webpage.

• Border

• A CSS box model element defining the space containing the main content. Borders can be visible or invisible to the user.

• Break Point

• A CSS property that defines the width of a web page to match the screen width of the user’s device.

• Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)

• An external style sheet (a .css file) containing instructions for the physical appearance of HTML content on the screen.

• Class Selector

• A CSS property that instructs the web browser to modify the style and rules for every element with the matching value in the class attribute.

• Default Filename

• The file name associated with the home page of a website. For virtually every server, the default filename is index.html.

• Descendant Selector

• A CSS selector that applies style rules to specified elements only when they appear inside of other specified elements.

• Element

• In HTML syntax, all of the information that is placed between the start tag and the end tag. For example, in the statement <p>my house is red</p>, “my house is red” is the element.

• Element Name

• The term element refers to the content that appears on the page as well as the HTML being used to describe it. In HTML, the element name is surrounded by angle brackets <ELEMENT NAME>. Together, the element name and angle brackets are called a tag.

• Element Selector

• A CSS selector that modifies the style for every matching element.

• Empty Element

• A stand-alone element as a single opening tag. Empty elements do not surround any content but are in fact describing some predefined behavior. An example of this would be a line break, which uses the element name <br>.

• External Stylesheet

• A type of CSS which includes a separate document that has style rules that can be applied to as many HTML documents as you wish using the <link> element.

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

• The Internet protocol used in the transfer of files over the Internet.

• Fixed Unit

• In CSS, a unit of measurement representing absolute length such as centimeters, millimeters, inches, pixels, points, and picas.

• Font Stack

• A list of fonts representing a given element, provided in descending order of preference.

• Group Selector

• A CSS selector that allows the designer to apply the same style rules to multiple elements at once.

• Host Name

• A part of the URL designating the default domain and subdomains used to house a website. The most commonly recognized host name is www.

• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

• An authoring language invented by Timothy Berners-Lee for creating digital documents for transmission on the World Wide Web.

• ID Selector

• A CSS selector that modifies the style for every element with the matching value in the ID attribute. It can be used only once on an HTML page.

• Inline Element

• A CSS element that forces the web browser to display text in a single line without a line break.

• Inline Style

• A CSS formatting attribute used to apply a unique style to a single element inside of an opening tag.

• Internal Stylesheet

• Also known as an embedded style sheet. A type of CSS that includes formatting rules for a single document inside the <style></style> element of an HTML document.

• Media Query

• A CSS module that will check the user’s device and features to determine what rules should apply to the page.

• Padding

• A CSS box model element that adds space in between the content and the border or between the border and other surrounding elements or outside margins.

• Property

• A CSS characteristic the value setting (such as color or font size) of which defines one aspect of how the web browser will display an element on a digital device.

• Protocol

• An HTTP or HTML property that determines how information is exchanged on the world wide web (HTTP) or how web browsers format content for display in web pages (HTML).

• Relative Unit

• In CSS, a unit of measurement representing relative lengths such as the em or ex, which are based respectively on the relative font-size of an element or the x-height of the current font.

• Second-Level Domain

• The second-level portion of the domain name in the hierarchical domain name system (DNS) which keeps track of IP addresses for every server connected to the internet. In the URL www.student.example.com, the second-level domain (example) is what the developer or company uses to identify or brand their webpage or website.

• Selector

• The first part of a CSS rule used to locate or select an HTML element and its associated style.

• Semantic Markup

• HTML language used to provide the structure for a webpage or to change how content appears on screen.

• Tag

• Or markup tag. In HTML syntax, a keyword (tag name) surrounded by angled brackets. Tags often appear in pairs containing both a start tag <b> and an end tag </b>. The <b> tag is used to apply bold emphasis to the element contained between the two tags. Thus, the tagged element <b>Big Story!</b> renders on screen in a browser as Big Story!

• Top-Level Domain

• The highest-level portion of the domain name in the hierarchical domain name system (DNS) which keeps track of IP addresses for every server connected to the internet. In the URL www.student.example.com, the top-level domain (com) is used for commercial business servers, whereas edu is used for educational organizations such as school and universities.

• Viewport

• A string of characters denoting the path to documents and other resources stored on the World Wide Web.

• WYSIWYG

• An acronym for what-you-see-is-what-you-get.A web authoring, software or platform feature that allows you to see or edit web page content as it will appear in its final form on a Web browser or screen without necessarily having to input or edit code to achieve a desired result.