The terms "multimedia," "new media," and "digital multimedia" are used to describe the combination of traditional image-production techniques (like film and video) with an understanding of digital images, the computers and software used to produce them, and the networks through which they can be shared.
Multimedia – including audio, photo, video, data visualization, and more – can be an effective communication tool for engaging non-scientists in your research. Web-specific tools – including blogs and podcasts – are another growing form of science communication.
Each year, the journal Science and the National Science Foundation recognize science visualization achievements in the International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge. Take a look at past winners, award categories and evaluation criteria for ideas on how to better represent your research visually.
Listen to a segment from the 26 September 2008 Science Podcast as one of the competition's judges talks about what goes into a winning scientific image.
Check out these multimedia galleries for inspiration: