Mind Maps
So what, exactly, does a mind map look like? Mind maps come in all shapes and sizes, they're hand drawn or software generated, and the variety of options is stunning. A simple, hand drawn mind map starts with the main idea, or central concept, in the middle of a page, with branches off that main topic. These branches lead to subtopics, followed by additional detail the farther away you move from the central concept.
Mindmaps are as varied as there makers. I personally use color to distinguish my primary topics, and I rarely use symbols or images. Other people use a lot of symbols, while still others use color, symbols, numbers, and more to make their mind maps unique. It's all about what works for you as an individual, which you'll gradually learn as you start mindmapping.
MindMaps - Where to Find Samples
There are dozens of resources to see examples of really great mind maps. If you're interested in hand drawn mind maps, I highly recommend Tony Buzan's The Mind Map Book. It's filled with hand written mind maps (and it's the best book you can find about mindmapping, in my opinion.) Another Buzan book, Mind Maps at Work, also has several black and white and full-color handwritten mind maps. Artist John Clapp's staggeringly beautiful hand-drawn mind map of "Vision + Art: The Biology of Seeing" is an amazing example - click on the thumbnail below to see a larger version on John's site. According to John, this map represents approximately 65% of the book's content - all on one page!
If you're more interested in using software to create mind maps, which is particularly useful in the business world, there are several online galleries of mind maps. MindJet, the creator of MindManager, has an outstanding gallery of mind maps, all of which can be downloaded in MindManager format (viewer software is available for free if you don't own MindManager). NovaMind also has a mindmap gallery with lots of great ideas. And Biggerplate has a map library with hundreds of maps available to download for free.
If you'd like to learn mind mapping with software and you want to start right now, I highly recommend Chuck Frey's ebook Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software. Inexpensive, and available for immediate download, Power Tips & Strategies is loaded with basic and advanced strategies for getting the most out of your mind mapping software.
Another good ebook with examples of mindmaps and concept maps is offered by Memletics. The concept mapping book, also inexpensive and available for immediate download, is loaded with great information.
Mind Mapping Inspiration
This list isn't complete - I'm only comfortable recommending resources I've personally used or read and found valuable.
- Example mind maps. MindJet, creator of MindManager mind mapping software, has a great gallery of mind maps on their web site, and a great newsletter full of information.
- Mindmap gallery from NovaMind.
- Biggerplate - free, downloadable mindmaps.
- The Mind Map Book, Tony Buzan. Includes primarily hand-drawn mind maps.
- Other mindmapping books.
- Learning mind mapping.