The first time I heard of the word model was on TV when I saw a number of ladies who pose or walk on the runway. These ladies were referred to as models. However, it has come to my attention that the word “model,” is not only used to describe the women on the runway, but has other significant meanings from the dictionary. Therefore, we are going to see that the word model holds more than a single meaning.
First, it refers to an ideal person one would wish to follow or imitate. Many people try their best to define this word according to the dictionary but each of them ends up putting forth their individual definition. Throughout this essay, I will focus on the definition of the word model as an example to follow/emulate, and the fashion women and men working as models to promote a clothing/shoe design, and other products as a marketing strategy. In all our lives, we always have someone to follow or imitate in our future as a model. This person must have influenced or rather helped us or other people in their struggles when they need him/her the most. For instance, when we want to choose a career, most of us will always have a model (an ideal person/role model/motivator), who pushed us or rather inspired us to choose a particular career.
The models we select should be individuals who inspire us in a positive manner by shaping us into becoming better or productive persons in the future. Everyone has a role model or a person to emulate or would wish to become like in the future (Mitchell, 2014). For me, my model is my father. In fact, I always told my mother “when I grow up I want to be like my dad.” He is a great father, sincere, kind-hearted, and never judgmental of people. I have seen him help so many people in the community and I was even surprised to meet one of my friends who confessed that he is his role model. He never stops working hard and to assist those people who are in need of help. I believe he is a model to many people in the society because of the love they show him when he is around them. I love and admire my dad a lot, because he is not only my role model but also a model for the whole community. He has inspired me to have a bright outlook on life and always to have a helping heart, and this has had a significant influence in my life to become like him in the future. Therefore, in this sense, the word model here means someone we look to serve as a motivator or as a role model in our lives. In addition, a model is someone with a guiding light, with good values and integrity who inspires us to become productive or better people in our future lives. If one wants to become a guitarist or a singer, that person has to look for a model or an individual living that dream (Lockwood, Jordan, & Kunda, 2002). Models are important people in our lives because the give us the strength to push on because of the inspiration/positive influence we get from them.
Secondly, model is used to describe a type/design of a product either a car or any other product. When a car brand rolls out its vehicle products, they usually have different vehicles that are based on shapes and sizes. This is known in business as product differentiation. These different models are usually known as models. For instance, we can have a Toyota vehicle model Toyota Prius or Toyota Ipsum. These are both products of Toyota Company but they are of different models.
Thirdly, a model can be used to describe a basic structure that is to be emulated by others. For instance, before a building is constructed, there is usually a small design of the building that is constructed that shows how the house is going to be, this small construction is what is known as a model. It is used by many architecture when they are designing buildings in order to give people, especially the owner, an idea of what the building they are going to construct will look like. Models are not only limited to buildings by they apply to several things such as cars, mobile phones among other electronics.
Fourthly, a model can be used to refer to a theory that is to be followed. An example is the Porter’s Five Forces Model which is a system of analysis that is used to develop business strategy and analyze the level of competition in a market. As it is evident, the word model simply implies something that is to be followed since this kind of model provides procedure that people follow when doing something.
Lastly, model can be used to refer to classic women and men who have taken on the career of showcasing/promoting different products as a way of marketing them. In most western countries, modelling is considered as a career. Many models spend their time working on their body physique to earn money from that. The girls and boys take on a role in advertising or promoting fashion clothing or other commercial products are known as models. They do product modelling, photographic, TV commercials, and runway modelling. The models function as a visual aide for the designers as they introduce their products to the market (Study.com, 2016). This is the most used definition of the word model in the public discourse because models are featured in TV commercials, films, magazines, and music videos (Mears, 2011). Therefore, the word model can be used to define a person’s profession and the action or rather job is called modelling.
In conclusion, the term model has different definitions. First, it can refer to an individual to emulate, those people that we find ideal and would like to be like them. It also describes describe a type/design of a product such as a car as it has been described above. It can also be used to describe a basic structure that is to be emulated by others, especially when planning to construct something big. The word model can also be used to refer to a theory that is to be followed such as Porter’s Five Forces Model. Lastly, commonly used to refer to someone we wish to follow or rather emulate and to the women who are into fashion and the modelling career (Bush, Martin, and Clark, 2001). Therefore, the word has several uses depending on the context in which it is applied.
References
Bush, A. J., Martin, C. A., & Clark, P. W. (2001). The effect of role model influence on adolescents’ materialism and marketplace knowledge. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 27-36.
Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House Digital, Inc.
Lockwood, P., Jordan, C. H., & Kunda, Z. (2002). Motivation by positive or negative role models: regulatory focus determines who will best inspire us. Journal of personality and social psychology, 83(4), 854.
Mitchell, M. (2014). How Role Models Influence Youth Strategies for Success.
Retrieved from http://www.rootsofaction.com/role-models-youth-strategies-success/
Mears, A. (2011). Pricing Beauty: the Making of a Fashion Model. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Study.com (2003-2006). Fashion Model: Job Description & Career Information. Study.com.
Retrieved from http://study.com/articles/Fashion_Model_Job_Description_and_Information_About_Becoming_a_Fashion_Model.html
Apparel Search. Fashion model Definition. Retrieved from http://www.apparelsearch.com/definitions/fashion/fashion_model.htm
