Mind Mapping Process
Introduction
This week, I decided to do some personal self-reflection and understand factors that influence my thoughts, imagination, and creative process. To help me on my journey with this, I decided to use a technique I just learned called Mind Mapping. When going through this process at first, it felt bizarre. Mainly it’s so hard to put so much focus on one subject, question, or problem. However, after giving it a try, it was so more comfortable than I even thought.
What is a mindmap, and why should I care?
Before I start going into more detail about my mind mapping process, I should briefly describe a mindmap. A mind map is a diagram that can be drawn or sketch to visually organize information, subject, question, or problem. It provides a lot of visual cues to show how things are connected. When I first read about a mind map, my first impressions were thinking that it would look like this.
It can be that complicated if you want to make it like that. But I soon realize that it can be as simple as just drawing simple circles and lines like this.
All too often, we can find ourselves distracted by many things, and that is entirely understandable. When we learn something new or get inspired by someone, we want to apply it to 1,000+ different ideas or become that person. One quote I remember from my previous job is.
“If you spread yourself to do 100 different tasks, you’ll get 0 done.”
Going through a process like mind mapping really helped me sit down and narrow down onto one idea. It really kept me being focused and helped me discover what I am and am not looking for. While going through this process, I thought that I set up a camera lens to be set focused on a specific shot.
What tools did I use? Why did I use the tools to make my map?
The tools I used to make my mindmaps
iPad 2020 (Not pro sadly)
Miro
I wanted to use my iPad mainly because I know that I will be erasing a lot and go through so much paper. So to better save the trees, I decided to go digital 🌲🌲🌲. I use Miro to create the final version of it for better aesthetic and visible purposes. Also, it can be a breathing document that I can always come back to.
What was my process like?
First: I reflected on what I have done for the week and created all inputs on a spreadsheet for easier editing.
Second: Set the main theme, I decided to phrase start it off with a question.
Third: I realize that thoughts, imagination, and creative process are three separate things. I understood that they were interrelated as well and that I should not limit myself to one specific theme. So I decided to put them into 3 separate nodes to focus better on each of them.
How did I decide what to include in my map?
Third: I decided to go back to my input map and go through each node and started to self-reflect, and asked myself the following question.
When was a time when I have been influenced by my thoughts, influences, and creative process? And what were the factors behind them?
As a result, I was able to produce this.
As I worked more in-depth into this, I realized that they were some nodes connecting with each other. It was a good thing that I decided to use my iPad since I would have to erase everything and redraw them.
Time to digitalize!
After I got my final mind map drawn out, I switched over to Miro and started digitalizing my work.
By working digitally, I provided more specific examples on a few of these nodes to get a better representation of what I saw or thinking about.
Self-Reflection
This process really helped me analyze specific roots and understand more particular factors that really influence my thoughts, imagination, and creative process. This has also allowed me to explore one personal challenge that I have always faced about not being creative or good enough to be a designer. After seeing the work, I was able to produce and better assess my influences through this process. It helped me feel more confident in the choices I make.
What else would I have done differently if I had more time?
One major thing I would have done differently while going through this process is to stop questioning too much and just write down my thoughts. I realize the biggest hindrance going through this process was myself asking whether things work or make sense.
My next steps
For my next steps, I want to analyze my mind map in greater detail and create action items for my personal goals.
Feel free to check out the Mind Map that has been created! Click here
For any questions or feedback, feel free to send an email at Hi@christopher.kim
