Mind-Mapping

Challenge:

As a first-year college student (studying architecture), when the coronavirus pandemic hit, we were

all forced to relocate and shift back home mid-semester. As a part of one of the courses I was

enrolled in, we were trying to study the built environment of our workspaces- both in the college

studio, as well as the space we were utilising back at home. The challenge was to identify the

tangible factors of our surroundings, which determined our experiences of it.

Selection:

The tool I used for this exercise was the mind mapping tool, which we had explored in Module 3

of the course ‘Design Thinking for Innovation.’ The reason I chose to use this particular tool is

because of the flexibility it provides, when it comes to the direction, I wish to take my thought

process in. And along with flexibility, it also allows for structure. This allows any reader, including

myself, who refers to the map in the future to trace how I arrived at one conclusion or answer,

from the previous one.

Application:

I started off with a central question, one of how I worked, and branched into further questions,

all related to the materials and objects I was surrounded by. I linked each node to another using

questions. The broader questions I asked had two separate answers, one for the college setting and

one for the house. I do believe that the questions act as a nice intermediary between two nodes to

allow for a seamless transition from one point to another. However, I realise that from just looking

at the map, a reader will not be able to determine which point is for which of the 2 settings.

Insight:

Initially, I was convinced it was only the immediate spaces that I was in contact with which

determined my workflow. But through this exercise, I realised the effects that the built

environment we are surrounded by has on our everyday routines.

I also realise that mind mapping, as a design tool, will always prove to be difficult for someone to

read once the process is over. The reason for this is no matter how logical the processes and flows

seem to be when one is making them, by them end, the amount of data on the page is simply so

large that it becomes difficult to know where to start from.

Approach:

For similar exercises, in which one is required to study their surroundings with some level of detail,

I think I will apply the mind mapping tool again. However, I will try to make it a little cleaner than

the current version. I will also try to highlight the points which would be the most important

finding, keeping in mind the brief for the exercise. These 2 strategies will help make the reading of

the map after the process is over much simpler and will bring to the fore the key findings of the

process.


Mind - Mapping Challenge : As a first - year college student ( studying architecture ) , when the coronavirus pandemic hit , we were all forced to relocate and shift back home mid - semester . As a part of one of the courses I was enrolled in , we were trying to study the built environment of our workspaces- both in the college studio , as well as the space we were utilising back at home . The challenge was to identify the tangible factors of our surroundings , which determined our experiences of it . Selection : The tool I used for this exercise was the mind mapping tool , which we had explored in Module 3 of the course ‘ Design Thinking for Innovation . ’ The reason I chose to use this particular tool is because of the flexibility it provides , when it comes to the direction , I wish to take my thought process in . And along with flexibility , it also allows for structure . This allows any reader , including myself , who refers to the map in the future to trace how I arrived at one conclusion or answer , from the previous one . Application : I started off with a central question , one of how I worked , and branched into further questions , all related to the materials and objects I was surrounded by . I linked each node to another using questions . The broader questions I asked had two separate answers , one for the college setting and one for the house . I do believe that the questions act as a nice intermediary between two nodes to allow for a seamless transition from one point to another . However , I realise that from just looking at the map , a reader will not be able to determine which point is for which of the 2 settings . Insight : Initially , I was convinced it was only the immediate spaces that I was in contact with which determined my workflow . But through this exercise , I realised the effects that the built environment we are surrounded by has on our everyday routines . I also realise that mind mapping , as a design tool , will always prove to be difficult for someone to read once the process is over . The reason for this is no matter how logical the processes and flows seem to be when one is making them , by them end , the amount of data on the page is simply so large that it becomes difficult to know where to start from . Approach : For similar exercises , in which one is required to study their surroundings with some level of detail , I think I will apply the mind mapping tool again . However , I will try to make it a little cleaner than the current version . I will also try to highlight the points which would be the most important finding , keeping in mind the brief for the exercise . These 2 strategies will help make the reading of the map after the process is over much simpler and will bring to the fore the key findings of the process .