by Giancarlo Gallegos
One of the most difficult task that we face as designers is to be able to generate ideas. Just look around in the internet, the streets, magazines and you will find many design or logos looking very much similar but not quite. Often, I ask myself how much original content is out there? How do I create an original idea? Or, is it possible to create an original idea?
If you are like me, the answer was staring at my face the whole time. I have been using it but did not know what it really is. It is called Mind Mapping. To my surprise, it has been with us for the past four decades. What is mind mapping?
Mind mapping is a graphical way of presenting ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps us structure, analyze, synthesize, recall information and, more so, generate new ideas.
Visually, mind maps looks like an intricate web of thoughts, ideas, names and words that all stem from one central idea in diagram form and linked around the key central idea. Look at the above picture for example. Each idea is linked to a main idea that even gives birth to newer ideas.
Come to think of it, I have been using mind maps to visualize ideas. But, it can also be used to generate, structure and classify ideas. Its contribution has made studying, organizing and problem solving easier.
A Framework for the New Design Genius
As I write this article, I tried to find out if there are renowned designers who use mind mapping techniques. I was quite surprised to find out that some of these designers were people who lived centuries ago!
One of the foremost geniuses born into this world is Leornardo da Vinci. It has been rumored that da Vinci used mindmapping as an approach to note taking. Fortunately, mind mapping methods is still at our disposal today. Like da Vinci, we can aspire to be great designer and use mind maps to help put focus on our projects limiting distractions which can affect the overall project. Mind maps help us see the overall picture of our project by utilizing key central ideas.
How Does Mind Mapping Work?
Drawing a mind map is as simple as 1-2-3. Here is a basic structure of a mind map:
- A leading topic or leading idea: this will be the center of your mind map’
- A key topic: key elements that define the leading dat
- Subtopics: details and/or characteristics of the key topic
- Connection Arrows: link related topics
- Colors: to separate different topics
- Symbols and Images: helps identify idea/topics
Start in the middle of a blank page, writing or drawing the idea or topic you intend to develop. I would suggest that you use a landscape orientation to add more space to your mind map.
Next, develop the related subtopics around the central idea, connecting each one of them to the center with a line. Note: Try keeping your topics as short as possible either with a single or an image.
Now, repeat the same process for the subtopics, generating lower level subtopics as you see fit, connecting each of those topics to the corresponding subtopic. Note: Varying the connecting line provides a triggers to important points that you want to emphasize.
Different Mind Maps
There are different kinds of mind maps. Your imagination is your limit to how best you can use it. To name a few, mind maps can be made for:
- Note taking
- Brainstorming (individually or in groups)
- Problem solving
- Studying and memorization
- Planning
- Researching and consolidating information from multiple sources
- Presenting information
- Gaining insight on complex subjects
- Jogging your creativity
The Copy Cat Solution?
Although, mind maps may not be the answer to all our creative problems but it is an effective way to find a quick solution.
Mind maps are wonderful resources to help creative people develop projects. They allow the creative thinker to visualize the concepts of the task quickly and without effort. Having a mind map is an excellent way for creative designers to complete a project without the worries of forgetting the overall focus of the project.
Since designers work mainly from their own creative focus, it is very easy for them to become distracted and lose the overall picture that they have in their minds of what a finished project will be. Over thinking a project can sometimes lead to abandonment of the entire project. For this reason it is an excellent idea for designers to implement the use of mind maps to keep their focus. Using mind maps helps them to stay on track. If they leave a project for a few moments, or even days, they can pick back up where they left off. Using a mind map gives them an outline to follow to ensure that they will stay on track with the original project goal that they had in mind.[adboxl]
Mind maps can also help creative designers to see things that they may otherwise miss. For instance, when your sketch, designers may get so completely engrossed in the act of sketching that they forget to add crucial points to the picture. A mind map will help to ensure that all aspects that they originally wanted to include are not forgotten. They are also very resourceful tools when the designer reaches a blocking point. Just like writers have writer’s block, creative designers sometimes have blocks. By implementing mind maps they allow themselves the resources necessary to see the overall “big” picture.
This is helpful when the block interrupts the flow of the project. It allows the designers to see where they stand in the overall context of the project and find the problem that has caused the block. By then finding a solution to the problem, they are able to get back on track and go on with the project.
In addition, mind mapping with your clients can help ease the burden of getting the right design for your client. As both you and your client share and collaborate ideas.
Tip: If you are brainstorming for new logo or design, do a burst mind map. A burst mind map is simply a 20 minute activity to generate idea. Use a blank sheet of paper and write down any ideas that come into your head, even if the ideas may sound absurd. More often than not, there are times even absurd ideas serve as key to breaking bad habits such as creating the “perfect idea”.
Mind mapping encourages designers, as well as writers and other creatives, to spread out ideas in such a way that the ideas are made much easier to focus on and it makes the overall project much less difficult in context. It allows for a more balanced conception of ideas and keeps those ideas organized. This leads to a much more successful completion of projects.
Tip: Don’t over exercise your brain. If the ideas are flowing that is well and good but if don’t force your brain to over think. Often times, we can get pretty damn goods while resting, watching TV or even walking. Just relax and go back to idea creation when you are more relaxed and less stressed.
Having a mind map will help a designer to focus on the overall project while keeping his mind free from clutter that may build up during the project. It helps to keep the mind clearer which in effect helps the creative thinking process.
Give mind mapping a try. I really encourage you to try it and you will be amazed how your creativity will dramatically improve. As you know creativity IS an indispensable tool for us designers and if we improve on it, we will hardly fall into the copy cat predicament and become better designers.[adboxr]
Check These Out!
Call me old school but I am still fan of colored pencils and paper for mind mapping as I enjoy doodling ideas and coloring things. But if you are constantly in front of your computer and want to have everything handy with a click of a button then I suggest getting a mind map software. You have 2 options to get your own copy of mind mapping softwares. You can download a free software or buy a proprietary one. The difference between the two is just the look and style. Sometimes the proprietary one is in 3D format. I guess, it will all depend on your taste and style.
Here some links to different mind mapping softwares out there:
Free software
Compendium — http://compendium.open.ac.uk/institute/
Freemind — http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Xmind –http://www.xmind.net/ (my personal recommendation)
Proprietary Software
Novamind — http://www.xmind.net/
Omnigraffle — http://www.xmind.net/ (for Mac OS X)
iMindMap — http://www.iMindMap.com/
Giancarlo Gallegos is a writer, communications designer photographer, entrepreneur, and a post production professional based on New Zealand. He is the official photographer for a little pink pig’s travel blog called The Adventures of Spider Pig. You can view his work on www.giancarlogallegos.com. On his spare time, he travels, cooks, drinks coffee and mind maps new ideas.