Hot Web Animation Trend: Macromedia Flash MX
By Kelly Richardson
kelly.richardson@animationschoolreview.com
Animation School Review Columnist
As businesses look for versatile answers to the challenge of recession, they’re throwing more money into their online presence. And with the use of hard-hitting web animation techniques, they may have found the solution. Macromedia Flash MX is opening the minds and wallets of even the most frugal buyers.
First introduced in 1996, Macromedia Flash MX is an Internet tool that features lightweight “smart code” installed on the client’s desktop. The idea behind this user-based system is to create an interactive Web experience that makes the user part of the selling process. Potential customers view rich format applications that are tailored to their specific interests. Combining attractive offers with captivating web animation has allowed many retailers to resist the looming recession and show outstanding profits in a bear market.
Macromedia Flash MX Web Animation
Macromedia Flash MX features the following innovations:
- Easy to Use. Flash offers an easy-to-use WYSIWYG editor; a robust scripting language called ActionScript; and an extremely compact file format. Both graphic designers and programmers love the latest addition.
- Customizable. A rich layer of programmability accepts user input, processes the needed business logic on the client, communicates with the server, and redraws the screen. The results are nothing short of phenomenal.
- Full Compatibility. Flash works on Windows and Mac, and is bundled with Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, AOL, and Opera. The result is a web animation component accessible by over 500 million Internet users.
Web Animation Action Plan
With the growth, development, and access of Macromedia Flash MX growing exponentially, you’ll no doubt want to make this revolutionary web animation suite a part of your arsenal. Here’s a strategy that you can follow to accomplish this goal.
- Learn the Program. A wide variety of colleges, universities, and technical schools offer training in Macromedia, either on campus or online.
- Identify Your Needs. Examine your client’s business model and determine how to incorporate Flash animation technology into their daily operations.
- Make It Personal. As you begin creating user interfaces, you’ll proceed through a trial and error process in order to refine your target.
Macromedia Flash MX will soon take over as the predominant web animation application for online advertising. Learning this skill now will dramatically increase your ability to draw in high-paying clients.
Sources
About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.
Posted on March 26, 2007 at 12:00 PM
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