Visualize ideas – Mind Mapping

By Nethru Limited (www.nethru.com)

Mind Mapping: Looking for patterns and insights in the large quantity of data you’ve collected during your exploration.

After your idea is generated, the next action is to concrete it with mind mapping by:
1. Organizing
2. Combining

MindMap

A computer-drawn mind map


A picture worths a thousand words, Mind Mapping is a big picture to assist in understanding. Different from a list that only contain words, mind mapping is a visual language combined with word, picture and shape.

Mind maps can be used for:

  • problem-solving
  • outline/framework design
  • structure/relationship representations
  • anonymous collaboration
  • marriage of words and visuals
  • individual expression of creativity
  • condensing material into a concise and memorable format
  • team-building or synergy creating activity
  • enhancing work morale

Designs comes from mysteries, where there is no correct information. Everything comes from try and experiment.

Try to use mind mapping to organize your ideas and clear your mind with guidelines from Buzan [from wikipedia]:

  1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
  2. Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map.
  3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
  4. Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
  5. The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and thinner as they radiate out from the center.
  6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
  7. Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also to encode or group.
  8. Develop your own personal style of mind mapping.
  9. Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
  10. Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.

You might not notice that creativity like think out of the box can have rules to follow. It’s useful for brainstorming, problem solving and everything.

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