Terms Glossary

Video Production Terms

Aspect Ratio - The proportional relationship between the width and height of a video frame, commonly expressed as 16:9, 4:3, etc.

B-Roll - Supplemental or alternative footage intercut with the main shot, often used to enrich the storytelling by providing context or background.

Color Correction - The process of adjusting the color values of video footage to achieve a naturalistic or desired look.

Compression - Reducing the file size of a video by removing redundant data, enabling easier storage and faster transmission.

Cut - A transition between two shots or scenes in a video, often used to change perspective or pace.

Depth of Field - The distance between the nearest and the farthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus in an image.

Exposure - The amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, affecting how light or dark an image appears.

Frame Rate - The number of individual frames displayed per second in a video, measured in frames per second (fps).

Green Screen (Chroma/Color Key) - A filming technique where a green backdrop is used, allowing editors to replace the background with different images or videos.

Histogram - A graphical representation of the tonal values in an image or video, showing the distribution of pixels from black (left) to white (right). It's used to evaluate exposure and contrast.

ISO - The sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. Higher ISO settings are used in low-light conditions but can introduce noise.

Jib - A camera support device with a long arm that can be raised, lowered, and moved horizontally, providing smooth and dynamic camera movements.

Key Light - The primary source of light in a scene, usually placed to one side of the subject to create depth and dimension.

Luminance - The brightness of an image, which can be adjusted to achieve the desired visual effect.

Montage - A sequence of shots edited together to condense time, space, and information, often used to show a series of events.

Non-Linear Editing (NLE) - A method of editing video that allows for any frame in a digital video clip to be accessed without having to sequentially move through footage.

Overexposure -  When too much light hits the camera sensor, resulting in a video image that is too bright and lacks detail in the highlights.

Post-Production - The phase of video production that occurs after filming, involving editing, color correction, sound mixing, and visual effects.

Quicktime -  A multimedia framework developed by Apple, used for handling various formats of digital video, media clips, sound, text, animation, and interactive panoramas.

Resolution -  The number of pixels in each dimension that the video displays, affecting the clarity and detail of the image. Common resolutions include 1080p, 4K, and 8K.

Rendering - The process of generating the final video output from edited footage, incorporating all visual effects and corrections.

Storyboard - A visual representation of a video’s sequence, showcasing each scene or shot through drawings or images.

Timecode - A sequence of numeric codes generated at regular intervals by a timing synchronization system, used in video editing to identify specific frames.

Timeline - The workspace in video editing software where video clips, audio, and effects are arranged in chronological order.

Underexposure - When too little light hits the camera sensor, resulting in a video image that is too dark and lacks detail in the shadows.

Voiceover - Narration or commentary added to a video, typically recorded separately and layered over the footage.

White Balance - The process of removing unrealistic color casts so that objects that appear white in person are rendered white in your video.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) - A file format used in video production to transfer project data between different software applications.

YUV - A color space used in video production that separates the image luminance (Y) from the color information (U and V).

Zoom - A camera function that changes the focal length of the lens, making the subject appear closer or further away without moving the camera.

UX Design Terms

A/B Testing - A method of comparing two versions of a webpage or app to determine which one performs better with users.

Accessibility - Designing digital products to be usable by people with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity for all users.

Breadcrumbs - Navigational elements that show users their current location within a website or application's hierarchy, typically displayed as a series of links.

Breadcrumb Navigation - A secondary navigation system that shows a user's location within a website's hierarchy, often used for large sites with many pages.

Call to Action (CTA) - A prompt on a website or app that encourages users to take a specific action, such as "Sign Up" or "Learn More."

Card Sorting - A UX research method where participants organize information into categories that make sense to them, used to inform site structure.

Content Management System (CMS) - Software that allows users to create, manage, and modify content on a website without needing specialized technical knowledge.

Design System - A collection of reusable components, patterns, and guidelines that helps ensure consistency and efficiency in UX design across an organization's products and platforms.

Ethnographic Research - A qualitative research method where designers observe and study users in their natural environment to understand their behaviors, needs, and motivations.

Figma - A collaborative interface design tool used for creating, prototyping, and collaborating on UX/UI designs in real-time.

Gestalt Principles - Principles of visual perception that describe how humans perceive and organize visual elements into meaningful patterns, aiding in the design of effective user interfaces.

Heatmap - A data visualization tool that shows how users interact with a webpage, using colors to represent levels of activity or engagement.

Heuristic Evaluation - A usability inspection method where experts evaluate a user interface against a set of established usability principles or heuristics to identify usability issues.

Information Architecture (IA) - The practice of structuring and organizing content on a website or app to make it understandable and easy to navigate.

Journey Map - A visual representation of a user's interactions with a product or service over time, capturing key touch points, emotions, and pain points along the user journey.

KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) - Quantifiable metrics used to measure the success of a product or service in achieving its objectives, such as user engagement, conversion rates, and task completion time.

Low-Fidelity Prototype - A simplified representation of a product or interface, often created with sketches or wireframes, used to explore and communicate design concepts early in the design process.

Mental Model - A user's internal representation of how a system works, including their expectations, assumptions, and understanding of its functionality.

Nielsen's Usability Heuristics - A set of ten general principles for user interface design developed by usability expert Jakob Nielsen, serving as guidelines for evaluating the usability of software and websites.

Onboarding - The process of familiarizing users with a product or service, typically through guided tours, tutorials, or interactive experiences, to help them understand its features and functionality.

Prototype - An early model or simulation of a product used to test and validate design concepts and user flows.

Persona - Fictional characters created to represent different user types or segments, based on research and insights, used to guide design decisions and empathize with users' needs.

Qualitative Research - Research methods that focus on understanding users' behaviors, attitudes, and motivations through observation, interviews, and other non-numerical data collection techniques.

Responsive Design - An approach to web design that ensures a site looks and functions well on a variety of devices and screen sizes.

Storyboarding - A visual storytelling technique used to outline the sequence of interactions and experiences that a user may have with a product or service, often depicted as a series of sketches or panels.

Task Analysis - The process of breaking down user activities or tasks into smaller, actionable steps to understand how users accomplish goals and identify opportunities for improvement in the user experience.

User Flow - The path taken by a user to complete a task on a website or app, from entry point to final action.

Wireframe - A low-fidelity visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a webpage or app, focusing on layout and functionality without design details.

Visual Hierarchy - The arrangement and prioritization of visual elements within a user interface to guide users' attention and emphasize important content or actions.

Experience Design - The practice of designing products, services, and environments with a focus on the quality of the user experience, encompassing interactions, emotions, and perceptions.

User Research - The process of understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through various research methods, such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

Zero UI - A design philosophy that aims to create products and services that require little to no conscious user input, relying on automation, artificial intelligence, and natural user interfaces to anticipate and fulfill user needs seamlessly.