Paradigmatic analysis as a means of eliciting knowledge to assist multimedia methodological development

We have identified two paradigms in multimedia systems design based on the software engineering and graphic design approaches. Our aim is to better inform methodological development in the field. We argue that unless and until the underlying paradigm of each community is understood, attempts to develop specific multimedia methods will be sub-optimal. ‘Paradigm’ is defined in the Kuhnian sense of a ‘disciplinary matrix’ that is composed of those shared beliefs and values that guide a ‘community’ of theorists and practitioners. This paper is based on analyses of several textbooks from both disciplines and also on interviews with software engineers and graphic designers who are actively engaged in the development of digital interactive multimedia (DIM). The results indicate that (a) Kuhn's concept of paradigm is a useful mechanism through which to examine the knowledge and approaches of these two design disciplines vis-à-vis multimedia development; and (b) that the resulting paradigms provide a useful framework from which to inform methodological development within the multimedia field. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the paradigms can assist theorists and practitioners in developing a framework for method evaluation and integration in multimedia.