Reflection - Mind mapping

Challenge and Selection

Mind mapping is a tool that I use all the time. I am a designer and the mind mapping is a step I  do in the start of any project. While dealing with clients, I make sure to understand all the things  and aspects they want me to keep in mind. Mind mapping is a great tool for that. I write down  the core word and start listing down everything that reminds me from that word around it. This  helps me not only understand the basics, but dig deeper. This helps he client even visualize  what their thoughts are. Sometimes, methods like storytelling can also play a big role while mind  mapping. I present to them my thoughts and understanding of the project, take their feedback to  ascertain their goals. This helps me get a better understanding of their interests and thought  processes. I then use this information to develop different strategies to tackle the project and  find a way that works best for the client.

Application

The process of mind mapping helps me understand the topic, the topics related to it, what it  means, who the stakeholder and beneficiaries are etc. I will write the main task in the middle of  the page in a circle and start noting down the things related to it around it by making arrows.  Mind mapping is an engaging alternative to that giant report we might otherwise have written to  sum up and communicate in prose and charts and spreadsheets. As the process go on, I record  the commonalities and the differences. Mind mapping really helps during a design process. By  having all your thoughts down on a paper in front of you helps get a clear picture. It is a  representation of my mind

Insight and Approach

I have used this approach individually as well as while working with a group or client. What I  have learnt from this is that this approach is really helpful while understanding a topic/problem,  the valuable aspects of the tasks and also the other aspects. This helps one understand so  much more than the common knowledge that we have about the topic. It helps us understand  the commonalities of the sub topics from the main task. Since a mind map is in a graphic form, it  is easier to pen down and understand ones thoughts. You can always keep coming back to it for  reference.

This course helped me understand mind mapping in a better way. It was just a step I used  before any project but I now truly understand the importance of it. Now I can prepare and  present my thoughts and ideas in the best way.

I have a design background, but want to become an entrepreneur. i am so grateful of these  different tools and surely consider them an asset!

