Reflection on mind-mapping tool

Challenge & Selection

As a design student, I think mind mapping is a great tool to organize and

visualize all the information you have about a particular subject, and it helps to think

outside of the box and I use all the time in my projects.

It provides an easy visualization of themes and patterns that are connected to the

main subject and it helps to think of things you may not seen before, especially when

you have a lot of information.

Even though there are mind-mapping tools online, I still enjoy making it on a

piece of paper and coloring the themes and subthemes and adding both drawings and

writing.

Application

I created a mind map for my last project I am working on. It is a project for

visually impaired people. They are my main focus (the center of the mind map). The

goal is to create a product to help them in their daily routine.

So the first step I did was to sat down with all the data I have about this group, all

of the studies, demographics data, and so on.

Then I started to write all the data I have about the group, I added insights I

collected from an interview with a group of visually impaired people, what they said

about their daily routine, the challenges they face every day, what kind of product they

currently use (and what they like and dislike about it), and also what they would like to

have in a product that they do not have now. I also added an interview with a

professional that works with visually impaired people.

Then, I group all the information in similar groups: challenges, devices (pros x

cons). I particularly enjoy adding some drawings too because I think it makes more

visual and easy to have a quick look and understanding.

Insight & Approach

Using the mind map tool helped me to identify important aspects for the visually

impaired group and to have ideas of possible solutions that may help them.

For example, I realized they would like a product that does not draw too much

attention to them, they would like something with an aesthetics very modern-like, that

could help them walk more safely, maybe identifying obstacles above the waist-level,

easy to use, not too much details (especially for the older people), and to not be very

expensive since data showed that they income are not very high. And I think all of these

could be translated into design criteria for the project.

Next phase is to come up with solutions and then start the prototype phase.


Reflection on mind - mapping tool Challenge & Selection As a design student , I think mind mapping is a great tool to organize and visualize all the information you have about a particular subject , and it helps to think outside of the box and I use all the time in my projects . It provides an easy visualization of themes and patterns that are connected to the main subject and it helps to think of things you may not seen before , especially when you have a lot of information . Even though there are mind - mapping tools online , I still enjoy making it on a piece of paper and coloring the themes and subthemes and adding both drawings and writing . Application I created a mind map for my last project I am working on . It is a project for visually impaired people . They are my main focus ( the center of the mind map ) . The goal is to create a product to help them in their daily routine . So the first step I did was to sat down with all the data I have about this group , all of the studies , demographics data , and so on . Then I started to write all the data I have about the group , I added insights I collected from an interview with a group of visually impaired people , what they said about their daily routine , the challenges they face every day , what kind of product they currently use ( and what they like and dislike about it ) , and also what they would like to have in a product that they do not have now . I also added an interview with a professional that works with visually impaired people . Then , I group all the information in similar groups : challenges , devices ( pros x cons ) . I particularly enjoy adding some drawings too because I think it makes more visual and easy to have a quick look and understanding . Insight & Approach Using the mind map tool helped me to identify important aspects for the visually impaired group and to have ideas of possible solutions that may help them . For example , I realized they would like a product that does not draw too much attention to them , they would like something with an aesthetics very modern - like , that could help them walk more safely , maybe identifying obstacles above the waist - level , easy to use , not too much details ( especially for the older people ) , and to not be very expensive since data showed that they income are not very high . And I think all of these could be translated into design criteria for the project . Next phase is to come up with solutions and then start the prototype phase .