IMAT 639 at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is a 3-credit graduate study of multimedia presentations as essential, strategic components of an organization's competitive web presence.
UMGC lists established principles of software development, aesthetics of typography and layout, benchmarking and usability engineering as the tools used to analyze websites.
Students write site development plans, with emphasis on basic web page design techniques. UMGC says assignments require building a portfolio of rich media content. The challenge is combining technical choices with design judgment and a written justification.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus |
| Course code | IMAT 639 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Level | Graduate |
| Subject area | Web and multimedia design |
| Signature work | A portfolio of rich media content and site development plans |
What IMAT 639 Covers
| Topic (from UMGC) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Software development principles | Planning and building sites methodically |
| Typography and layout | Making content readable and well organized |
| Benchmarking | Comparing a site with competitors or standards |
| Usability engineering | Testing and improving how easily people use a site |
| Media formats and compression | Standards for common media types and how files are reduced in size |
| Hardware and system constraints | What devices and networks can support |
UMGC's description also names technologies such as Java, CGI scripts and virtual reality as topics; check your classroom for how your section treats them today.
Key Concepts Explained
Media Choices and Constraints
Every media element has a cost: file size, load time, device support and accessibility. Compression reduces size but can reduce quality. Choose formats based on purpose and audience.
Usability and Benchmarking
Evaluate a site against clear criteria, such as ease of finding information, consistent layout and readable text. Benchmarking compares these against peers.
Illustration (invented): A small museum site loads slowly because of large images. The analysis benchmarks it against similar sites, measures load time, and proposes compressed images with captions for accessibility. The plan states the expected benefit and how it will be tested again.
The Site Development Plan
A plan describes goals, audience, structure, content, media, technology, schedule and evaluation. Keep it concrete enough that someone else could build from it.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Website analysis | Applying design and usability criteria | Use a rubric of criteria and give evidence |
| Site development plan | Planning and justification | Cover goals, audience, structure, media and testing |
| Rich media portfolio items | Practical production | Document choices and constraints for each item |
| Discussions | Understanding of standards | Use specific examples |
Documenting a Multimedia Project
Because this course combines making and writing, documentation matters. Good notes make your written analysis easier and more convincing.
- State the purpose and audience of the site or item.
- Record design choices for layout, typography and media, with reasons.
- Note technical constraints such as file size and device support.
- Describe how you evaluated usability and what you changed afterwards.
- Reflect on what you would improve with more time.
Include screenshots or descriptions only of work that is your own, and credit any third-party assets you use according to their licenses.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Design without rationale. Justify choices by audience and purpose.
- Ignoring performance. Large media can undermine a site.
- Overlooking accessibility. Mention alt text, contrast and captions.
- Weak documentation. Explain what you built and why.
Study Tips for IMAT 639
- Start the portfolio early; production takes time.
- Keep a log of tools and settings used for each item.
- Test pages on a phone and a desktop.
- Use the rubric as your plan outline.
Checklist Before You Submit
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Design choices have reasons | Plans must justify decisions |
| File sizes and formats are considered | Media constraints affect performance |
| Accessibility features are mentioned | Usability includes all users |
| Third-party assets are credited | Respects licenses |
View your pages on a phone and a desktop before you describe them in writing.
How We Help with IMAT 639
Send the prompt, rubric and your draft plan. A writer can prepare a model site development plan, explain usability evaluation, or edit and give feedback on your written work. Creative portfolio items must be your own.
GradeEssays is independent of UMGC. Our work is a study and reference aid; use it to learn, then complete and submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late.
Get Your IMAT 639 Plan Reviewed
Share the assignment and rubric. We prepare a custom plan or give feedback on your own draft.
Start My IMAT 639 HelpFree revisions · Full refund if late · Written from scratch for your order
Frequently Asked Questions
UMGC describes multimedia as a strategic component of web presence, with design principles, usability engineering, benchmarking, media formats and site development plans.
The UMGC listing we checked shows none; confirm for your program.
UMGC says assignments require building a portfolio of rich media content.
Methods for testing and improving how easily people can use a site.
UMGC's description names them; ask your instructor how your section uses them.
No. We offer plan structures, editing and feedback as study support, and your portfolio work must be your own.