Motivation – What is it?

What is motivation?

Definition – ‘Internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a job, role or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal.

Motivation results from the interaction of both conscious and unconscious factors such as the intensity of desire or need, incentive or reward value of the goal, and expectations of the individual and of his or her peers. These factors are the reasons one has for behaving a certain way. An example is a student that spends extra time studying for a test because he or she wants a better grade in the class.’

 I have decided to look into existing motivational posters and how the designers have gone about portraying motivation, and what objects or techniques they have used.

Colours, Moods and Feelings.

After thinking about colours to portray motivation I decided to look at what different colours mean and how most people perceive them. I felt like this would be a good thing to look at as colours are a interesting way to tell the audience what type of book it is without them even reading it.

I researched simple colours to see what feelings and thoughts were associated to each colour.

Here I found this information on http://www.creativelatitude.com/articles/articles_lamacusa_color.html

Red 
‘Red is symbolic of highly charged personal feelings with aggression, danger, and battle on one end and bravery, passion, and love on the other. Red is the first word developed in any language to define a color. Red alerts us to pay attention. It is sexy, provocative, dynamic, stimulating, and exciting.

Pink
Pale pink represents the sweetness of youth. Pink foods are perceived as sweet-tasting and sweet-smelling. Vibrant pinks are high spirited and express energy.

Orange
The old perception of orange is that it presented itself as cheap and low budget. Today, however, orange has come into its own and is perceived as inviting, friendly, and intense. There are many shades of orange and the deeper tones have seasonal and ethnic connotations while the brighter shades feel tangy and citrusy. Pale shades of peach, apricot, coral and melon are pleasing and sophisticated.

Yellow
Yellow symbolizes energy. It expresses the brightness and heat of the sun and emulates warmth and light. Yellow can also be perceived as cheerful, mellow, and soft to the touch. Certain shades of yellow, to some personality types are associated with uncertainty and restlessness. Yellow cautions us to be careful. It is the color of ideas and dreams and stimulates creativity and confidence.

Brown
Brown connects us with the earth and provides a feeling of substance and stability. Some people perceive brown as dirty and undesirable. Foods such as designer coffees, rich breads and rolls, and grains and rice have increased the positive connection to brown.

Green
Green signifies life. It is sensuous and alive. Green is friendly, dependable, and steady. It represents nature and is soothing, refreshing, and healing. Deeper greens signify money, prestige, and power.

Blue
Blue is peaceful and tranquil. We respect deep blue as a sign of law, order, and logic. It is dependable, quiet, serene, restful, and cool. Blues such as periwinkle, electric blue, and brilliant blue become dynamic, dramatic and energizing.

Purple
Purple is sensual, spiritual, elegant, and mysterious. It can reflect emotions from contemplative to regal and majestic. It is a combination of the excitement and passion of red and the peaceful tranquility of blue.

Neutral
Neutral colors include beige, gray, and taupe, but are increasingly being seen with hints of color. They portray a sense of durability, quality and a classic sense of nature and quiet.

White
White represents purity and simplicity. It portrays the message of clarity and cleanliness. All white rooms, however, can be unsettling and uncomfortable.

Black
Strong, classic and elegant describe our feelings about black. While black is still associated with death and mourning, today, it is also associated with sophistication and strength.’

I feel that looking at this will help me in deciding what colours I will be using and If I will use colour at all.  I think that using specific colours in different tones and ways will portray the message I intend.

Inspirational video about Motivation and Drive.

We looked at this video in class and to me I liked the ideas of how motivation can be illustrated. I have decided i am going to look into the blurb I have been given and look at how I could illustrate from the small piece of information I have been given. I am using this video as inspiration for my starting point. To not only illustrate what I think the words are demonstrating but also what colours schemes would work well with the perception to make sure the audience understand the message I will be portraying by initially the front cover.

The Brief.

The brief I have been given is to design a book cover for our allocated book – ‘Motivation by Penny Rutherford Penguin 2014’

I have to design the front of the book, the spine back cover. All of the design work must be my own and there must be no found images except if they are used in a collage.

Below is the blurb for inclusion on the back cover.

Motivation is literally the desire to do things. It is the difference between waking up before dawn to work, study or create and lazing around the house all day. It is the crucial element in setting and attaining goal. And research shows that levels of motivation and self-control can be manipulated, though not necessarily in obvious ways.

Dr Rutherford brings together in this concise review many research studies of motivation that have taken place over the last few years. She draws conclusions from the often-surprising studies that will help educators, employers, families, charities and other interested parties to engender motivation and to help spark activity.