Motivation is a driving force behind human behavior, and understanding how to cultivate it is important in various careers, including digital design. While focusing on those three elements-information, education, and mastery- designers can create experiences that not only engage but also empower users.
Several sources emphasize the importance of these factors. Such as, The Interaction Design Foundation highlighting how competence, autonomy, and relatedness are key to intrinsic motivation. In other words, competence, which can be closely related to mastery, is described as having a sense of progression. Designs that make users feel like their efforts are paying off can help create this sense of competence and ability.
Another article on Training Industry discusses how interactive training videos can increase motivation by providing learners with choice, feedback, rewards, and challenges. These things directly relate to information, education, and mastery. These elements can motivate to “achieve learning objectives.”
This can all lead to the power of storytelling and gaming. Storytelling, particularly when combined with gaming elements, can be a potent tool for enhancing motivation through information, education, and mastery. Games naturally incorporate these!
By creating compelling stories into these interactive designs and incorporating game mechanics, designers can create experiences that are not only engaging but also deeply motivating. The narrative provides a place for discovering and delivering information, while the game mechanics offer a path to mastery. We can create experiences that motivate, empower, and leave a lasting impact on users.
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