7 Examples of Multimedia

John Spacey, September 27, 2021

Multimedia is the use of multiple types of communication media for a single purpose. The following are illustrative examples.

Legacy Media

The term multimedia has been used since the 1960s and was originally used to describe slideshows timed to music. In the 1990s, multimedia was heavily associated with data CDs that were distributed with books. This allowed books to be combined with music, video and clickable content similar to a webpage.

Modern Media

Common modern media such as websites, mobile apps, mobile messaging and social media are often multimedia. For example, a teleconferencing tool with realtime video, voice, text messaging and visual environments such as the ability to share a whiteboard or document.

Interactive Media

In the 1990s, the term multimedia was virtually synonymous with interactive media due to its association with clickable cdrom and website content. This association is fading as multimedia can include one-way communication such as a performance.

Events & Performances

Multimedia is commonly used for events and performances. For example, a concern that combines live music with a light show and video clips.

Entertainment

Entertainment such as an amusement park ride that includes 3d holograms, music, smells and other sensory media such as haptics.

Immersive Experiences

Immersive experiences such as a video game that may include things like music, messaging and voice communication alongside digital experiences that feel somewhat real.

Mixed Reality

Mixed reality is the integration of digital media into the real world. For example, a video game that integrates your current physical location into the game. As with video games, this is likely to include interactive multimedia such as messaging or voice with other players.

Counterexamples

Traditional broadcast media such as newspapers, radio and television aren't multimedia. The term multimedia is often confused with interactive media. For example, an art show may be described as multimedia where displays are interactive despite the work existing in a single medium.