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Welcome to Writing for Multimedia

My name is Mary Anne Funk, and I am an instructor in the Multimedia Department at PCC. My research focuses on accessibility in media, social virtual worlds, and XR technology.

In this course, you will write for different multimedia formats, including digital stories, interactive and non-linear experiences, public-facing exhibit stories, and advanced project planning. You will practice researching, organizing, writing, revising, and combining text with media elements.

• Unit 1: Writing for Digital Publishing and Online Media
  • You will create a digital story designed for an online audience. Through this work, you will explore how writing, structure, research, and media elements work together in digital publishing environments.
• Unit 2: Writing for Interactive and Exploratory Experiences
  • You will create an interactive or non-linear experience that allows audiences to navigate content in multiple ways. This unit focuses on audience pathways, navigation, structure, and writing for exploratory experiences.
• Unit 3: Writing for In-Person and Online Public-Facing Experiences
  • You will create an individual story for a class Multimedia Story Exhibit. Your work will include a story poster and an extended digital story connected through a QR code. As a class, we will organize and present the individual stories as a shared public-facing exhibit experience.
• Unit 4: Preparing for Advanced Multimedia Projects
  • You will develop a multimedia project concept that could continue into an advanced multimedia course, portfolio project, internship, freelance opportunity, or community project. You will create planning materials that communicate the purpose, structure, content, and development plan for your proposed project.

By the End of the Course, You Will Be Able To:

• Write for digital, interactive, and public-facing multimedia formats.
• Combine written content with media elements.
• Research and organize information for multimedia projects.
• Revise writing for clarity, accessibility, and audience needs.
• Participate in peer feedback and collaborative project work.
• Develop planning materials for future multimedia projects.

Check the Multimedia Technology specifications page for computer recommendations. Chromebooks or tablets are not recommended.  

If you do not have access to a computer, our department provides access to Mac labs at the Cascade Campus during open lab hours.

Required Hardware:

• Desktop or Laptop Computer for working on assignments and projects outside of class. 
  • • Google Chromebooks are NOT recommended
      

• iPhone/Smartphone for taking photographs, recording video, and recording audio.

• iPhone/Smartphone tripod mount

• Lightweight tripod or monopod with feet

• Lav (clip-on) microphone for smartphone, DSLR, or camcorder, for $15 to $30

• Make sure it is compatible with your device
• External hard drive (20 to 50 gigs)

Software Requirements

This course focuses on writing, story development, planning, and multimedia communication rather than software training. Throughout the term, we will use a variety of digital tools to create and present our work, but the primary focus will be on how stories are researched, organized, written, and experienced across different multimedia formats.

When a project requires a specific tool or platform, I will provide an introduction, examples, and learning resources to help you get started. Students are encouraged to explore tools independently and develop additional technical skills as needed for their projects.

You are welcome to use software that you are already comfortable with, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications available through PCC. Most assignments can be completed using a variety of software options, and advanced software knowledge is not required. The emphasis in this course is on storytelling, writing, planning, and communication rather than technical production.

What would be most helpful for you is to take our Photoshop, video editing, or audio classes before this class or in conjunction with this class, although this is not required.

This is not a tech-heavy class, so what you do will be based on the most basic use of the software to create your multimedia web story.