Ruankao Multimedia Application Designer (Intermediate) study plan

Distinguish sampling, quantization and bit-depth effects on audio and image fidelity, and compute file size for raw PCM audio and uncompressed RGB bitmaps

Explain entropy coding (Huffman, arithmetic, run-length) and lossy transform coding at a conceptual level, and identify which stage of a codec each belongs to

Compare JPEG baseline vs progressive and lossless modes, and state which mode suits thumbnails, web delivery and archival masters

Describe MPEG-1/2/4 and H.264/HEVC prediction structures (I, P, B frames, GOP) and explain how motion compensation reduces bitrate

Explain perceptual audio coding principles (psychoacoustic masking, critical bands, MDCT) and contrast MP3, AAC and Opus in bitrate and latency

Trace the video post-production pipeline from ingest through edit, color, audio mix and export, naming the codec and container choice at each handoff

Compute required storage and bandwidth for given resolutions, frame rates, chroma subsampling and target bitrates

Identify common container/codec mismatches and specify a correct export preset for web, broadcast and mobile delivery

Apply color models (RGB, CMYK, HSV, YCbCr) and explain when each is appropriate in a production workflow

Perform and verify image processing operations: levels/curves, unsharp masking, alpha compositing and chroma keying

Compare raster and vector graphics and select the correct format (PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, WebP) for stated use cases

Build a short animation using keyframe interpolation and easing, and explain frame-based vs time-based animation timing

Map multimedia system architecture layers from capture hardware through codec, buffer, sync and rendering, and explain where jitter and drift originate

Compare storage media (SSD, HDD, optical, flash) on sustained throughput, seek latency and suitability for real-time playback

Explain multimedia I/O device characteristics: capture cards, AD/DA converters, colorimeters and MIDI interfaces

Describe synchronization mechanisms (timestamps, RTP/RTCP, buffer-based clock recovery) and diagnose a lip-sync failure scenario

Apply HCI principles (affordance, feedback, cognitive load, Fitts's law) to critique a multimedia interface flow

Design hypermedia navigation with clear link structure, and evaluate when hypertext, timeline or spatial metaphors fit best

Explain streaming delivery methods (progressive download, HLS/DASH adaptive streaming, CDN caching) and their latency/quality trade-offs

Describe multimedia database requirements: metadata schemas, content-based retrieval features and indexing of media assets

Execute a full edit of supplied raw footage: rough cut, trimming, transitions and audio ducking to a target runtime

Grade footage for consistent white balance and exposure, and explain scopes (waveform, vectorscope) in verification

Correctly set export parameters for a specified distribution channel and verify output with media inspection tools

Diagnose and fix three common defects: interlacing artifacts, clipped audio and mismatched frame rates

Distinguish copyright, licensing, trademark and personality rights as they apply to images, music and footage in a multimedia product

Evaluate open licenses (Creative Commons variants, royalty-free terms) and document attribution and clearance requirements

Build a project plan with work breakdown, resource estimate and risk register for a multimedia production

Identify applicable standards bodies and specifications (JPEG, MPEG, ITU-T H.26x, W3C) and state what each governs

Consolidate compression knowledge by solving mixed calculation and codec-selection problems under time pressure

Review weak areas flagged in earlier deliverables and re-derive the underlying principles rather than memorizing answers

Practice explaining design trade-offs concisely in written form, as required by scenario-style exam questions

Complete two timed full-scope practice sets and analyze every error by domain