Multimedia Theory & the Formalist Theory of Art

As of late I have been reading a lot about multimedia theory, contiguity, eye tracking and art design theory in the courseware design class I am taking. This is a great book about designing multimedia instruction - E-Learning and the Science of Instruction (Clark & Mayer), but if you have an arts background be aware that you won't see reference to elements of art and principles of design in the design of multimedia theory. What I am realizing is how much formalist art design theory is lacking in multimedia design readings and how it could really add more substance to it. I can also see how people with arts backgrounds aren't aware of multimedia learning theory language either. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. This suggests the potential for crossover between multimedia learning and arts learning and the potential for combined research in these areas. This very much relates to a lot of the literature I have been reading about aesthetics, the senses and interactive environments. Very exciting!