WHAT DOES “VISUAL MAPPING� MEAN?
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Especially in British English, the terms spidergram and spidergraph are more common,[1] but they can cause confusion with the term spider diagram used in mathematics and logic. Mind maps are
used
to generate, visualize, structure,
and classify ideas,
and
as
an
aid
to studyingand organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing. The elements of a given mind map are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts, and are classified into groupings, branches, or areas, with the goal of representing semantic or other connections between portions of information. Mind maps may also aid recall of existing memories.[citation needed] By presenting ideas in a radial, graphical, non-linear manner, mind maps encourage a brainstorming approach to planning and organizational tasks.[citation
needed]
Though the branches of a mindmap represent hierarchical tree
structures, their radial arrangement disrupts the prioritizing of concepts typically associated with hierarchies presented with more linear visual cues.[citation
needed]
This orientation towards brainstorming encourages users to
enumerate and connect concepts without a tendency to begin within a particular conceptual framework.[citation needed] The mind map can be contrasted with the similar idea of concept mapping. The former is based on radial hierarchies and tree structuresdenoting relationships with a central governing concept, whereas concept maps are based on connections between concepts in more diverse patterns.
CHARACTERISTICS Mind maps are, by definition, a graphical method of taking notes. Their visual basis helps one to distinguish words or ideas, often with colors and symbols. They generally take a hierarchical or tree branch format, with ideas branching into their subsections. Mind maps allow for greater creativity when recording ideas and information, as well as allowing the note-taker to associate words with visual representations. Mind maps differ from concept maps in that mind maps focus on only one word or idea, whereas concept maps connect multiple words or ideas.
A key distinction between mind maps and modelling graphs is that there is no rigorous right or wrong with mind maps, relying on the arbitrariness of mnemonic systems. A UML Diagram or a Semantic network has structured elements modelling relationships, with lines connecting objects to indicate relationship. This is generally done in black and white with a clear and agreed iconography. Mind maps serve a different purpose: they help with memory and organization. Mind maps are collections of words structured by the mental context of the author with visual mnemonics,and, through the use of colour, icons and visual links are informal and necessary to the proper functioning of the mind map.
MIND MAP GUIDELINES
In his books on mind maps author Tony Buzan suggests using the following guidelines for creating mind maps: 1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors. 2. Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map. 3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters. 4. Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line. 5. The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and thinner as they radiate out from the centre. 6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support. 7. Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also to encode or group. 8. Develop your own personal style of mind mapping. 9. Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map. 10. Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches. This list is itself more concise than a prose version of the same information and the mind map of these guidelines is itself intended to be more memorable and quicker to scan than either the prose or the list.
TOOLS Mind mapping software can be used to organize large amounts of information, combining spatial organization, dynamic hierarchical structuring and node folding. Software packages can extend the concept of mind mapping by allowing individuals to map more than thoughts and ideas with information on their computers and the internet, like spreadsheets, documents, internet sites and images.
INFORMATION VISUALIZATION One of the most valuable visual tools that we can use to explain complex information is the diagram. Diagrams can be used to illustrate complicated concepts and they can become very complicated to understand as well. It is important to create creative and visually appealing ways to share information.
“Diagrams
should be easy to read, understand and follow.”
SEEING AND REMEMBERING
Visual communication is more powerful than verbal communication. People can learn and retain information visually better than that was provided verbally.
There is a big connection between seeing and remembering. Visual interpretations of information in the form of simple yet powerful such as diagrams, tables, graphs, charts or any other free form that can convey the message of what “it means” without someone providing an explanation. Information visualization coupled with strong verbal interpretations can create a new dimension to the information that is being presented. Good infographics can illustrate ideas that might take pages to explain in writing. They function as visual shorthand, clarifying relationships with a degree of immediacy and impact text just can’t offer. Effective graphics can be created for many types of information, but they are best suited for showing comparisons, structures, and processes (Rebecca Hume, BigDuckNyc.com). Figuring out what type of infographic is right for a project typically requires three steps:
Know the story you want to tell.
Find the information that best tells the story
Determine the form that most clearly displays that information.
The type of information you settle on will help determine the form of your final infographic. If you’re showing how parts of a whole relate, a pie chart or tree map can do the job; when comparing quantities you may want to try a bar graph, bubble chart, or pictograph; for changes over time, a timeline or area graph can work well.
IMPORTANCE OF VISUALIZATION
Dr. Colin Ware of the University of New Hampshire expertly explains the importance of visualization and how it works:
Why should we be interested in visualization? Because the human visual system is a pattern seeker of enormous power and subtlety. The eye and the visual cortex of the brain form a massively parallel processor that provides the highest-bandwidth channel into human cognitive centers. At higher levels of processing, perception and cognition are closely interrelated, which is the reason why the words ‘understanding’ and ‘seeing’ are synonymous. However, the visual system has its own rules. We can easily see patterns presented in certain ways, but if they are presented in other ways, they become invisible…The more general point is that when data is presented in certain ways, the patterns can be readily perceived. If we can understand how perception works, our knowledge can be translated into rules for displaying information. Following perception based rules, we can present our data in such a way that the important and informative patterns stand out. If we disobey the rules, our data will be incomprehensible or misleading.
COOLEST THYPOGRAPHIC INFOGRAPHICS
A picture is worth a thousand words. But when that picture is itself made of words, your mileage may vary. Take the case of type-based infographics. Bad use of type clutters an image; it acts as decoration – yet becomes a roadblock to information transfer. However, good use of type can add an extra layer of data to a graphic. Text and type within an infographic can be used to place high-density packets of information within a larger context.
The Evolution of Typography
The Periodic Table of Typefaces
So You Need a Typeface
Type Maps
Type Map of Italy
Who Owns US Debt?
XKCD Color Map 3D Visualization