Mind Mapping in Graphic Design

Mind Mapping is a process for solving problems by using words, names, images, and colors, all of which refer to a central idea or word in the form of diagrams. The function is to liberate creativity and get brilliant ideas to solve a problem. Many great designers start their design process by Mind Mapping.

Ideas, thoughts and a concept is something that is not visible. They were in the clouds and could only be imagined. The process to get an idea with only imagining is very difficult, our minds are very limited for this. With Mind Mapping, you can create a structured plan to make the idea appear one by one. I see it as a process to transfer about what we think is or will be organized into a sheet of paper through a series of words, images and colors into a diagram.



One expert on mind mapping: Paul Foreman has dedicated a large amount of time to study about Mind Mapping, in e-book entitled "The Idea of Creation", he shares his philosophy about how to open the mind to generate ideas through Mind Mapping:

* Everything stems from a thought
* Every thought is a word
* Every idea is a thought
* Every word is a potential idea
* Every image is a potential idea
* Every thought is a potential idea
* Good thoughts come when bad thoughts stop
* Good ideas come when bad ideas go
* You flick your brains switch to ‘on’ when you stop over-thinking
* Once you still the mind ideas come
* Patience allows time for ideas to evolve
* Preconceived notions only breed preconceived ideas
* Stressing for answers brings stressful results
* Stretching your mind is effortless and simple
* Saying: "can’t think of anything" Really means: "I think I can’t think of anything"
* Ideas don’t dry up - thoughts do

Benefits of Mind Mapping:

1. Freeing the mind
2. Bring brilliant ideas
3. Helped organize a strategic planning
4. Developing Imagination
5. Parse problem
6. Develop thinking skills
7. Increasing motivation

an Example of Mind Mapping in Graphic Design

Here is an example of mind mapping by graphic designers. One of a freelance graphic designer named Damien Horan, who has been successful for projects of international brands such as Mambo, Volcom, and Insight. Damien Horan showed an interesting process which he did in making the logo a restaurant / bar called Little Avalon. In the process, Damien shows a mind map that had he done to get a good idea to complete that project.



Points realised throughout the process:

* Typeface must have serifs that represent the organic shape of a wave.
* Inspired by a B&W photo of the area the color palette became very dark. Keeping it crisp, black and white were chosen.
* Exploring the available typefaces with curved serifs, he was inspired to create his own font.
* An abbreviated version of ‘Little Avalon’… ‘LA’ was the locals appelation of the surf break, therefore essential to feature it in the branding.
* The ‘LA’ and ‘Little Avalon’ where to remain independent of each other.

Damien’s working sketches

Hand Drawn Sketches



Computer Comps



Final Logos



Applications






Mind Mapping Tool :

Mind mapping usually done on a sheet of paper and a pencil / pen. However, technological developments make things much easier now. There are so many free tools on the Internet that we can use to map the mind (mind mapping). The use of these tools will also be more fun with many variations of options that can be compared on a sheet of paper. Here are some tools to Mind mapping that you can use:


* bubbl.us
* Concept Draw Mind Map
* Edraw Mind Mapping
* MindGenius.com
* MindVisualizer.com