Have you ever wondered what mind maps are and are they something that can help you as a creative, in this article Donald Crees explains how they can help you capture ideas fast.

Speaking to clients over the phone was one of Pam’s least favourite tasks. It’s not that she could be called unfriendly; her ideas were as infectious as they were abundant. It’s just as a natural creative she had little control over when her ideas would strike. Hearing client wishes were like lighting touchpaper. This was compounded by the ebb and flow of conversation.

People tend not to talk in an orderly linear fashion. They convey their thoughts through imperfect language, responding back and forth, sparking new replies that may digress off-topic altogether.

When the phone call ended, Pam was left with a familiar feeling of forgetting important client details and inspiration. On the worst occasions, she had to call back her client for clarification. What Pam needed was a way to capture the important ideas as they happened.

Mind mapping is such a method, where attention focuses on the essential ideas as they occur. It encourages free thinking without the need for a linear order, avoiding the clutter of disorganised notetaking. But what is a mind map and how do you create one?

Making a Mind Map

A mind map is a radial diagram relating key information to an overall theme. Although such luminaries as Aristotle, Leonardo de Vinci and Charles Darwin drew diagrams resembling mind maps, Tony Buzan formalized the method in his 1974 book, Use Your Head. While the mind mappers are encouraged to develop their own styles, Buzan’s guidelines (Buzan, 2018, p. 25-121) will get you off to a good start.

First, we need to decide the topic of the mind map, called the central idea. How brief or deep to go into a subject can be one of the trickier decisions. I have learnt to keep the topics tight rather than cover broader subjects. In my example I have made my topic ‘Beat Detective Uses’ in Pro Tools. Buzan advocates using an image, but it can be writing – or better – both, in my opinion! The important point is it needs to be clear.

Next, we need to create what Buzan refers to as Basic Ordering Ideas (BOI). These are the related subjects radiating out from around the border of the central idea. To emphasize the importance of the BOI’s, underline them with thick lines resembling the main branches of a tree. Distinguish one topic from another by choosing a different line colour for each branch (unless you’re using synaesthesia – see Memory Map below). My basic ordering ideas are the main uses for Beat Detective, as outlined in the Pro Tools Reference Manual (Avid, 2019, p. 719-720).

Try to keep to one word or phrase per branch. As Buzan rightly points out, this allows you to make multiple associations to the word and, maybe, generate new ideas or connections. On my mind map, I’ve used the word ‘extract’, which opens out to ‘groove’ and ‘tempo’. When you feel more than one word is appropriate for a branch, consider making it a boxed branch. Boxed topics are used in the closely related concept maps and have been incorporated into mind map software as boxed branches. You can use the different shaped boxes to give the branches symbolic meaning. I have used boxed branches on ‘loop matching’ and ‘rhythmic tightening’.

Once you have some basic ordering ideas, you can start filling in the sub-topics. These smaller details are underwritten with lines resembling the finer branches of a tree. It’s up to you how many sub-levels you stray away from the basic ordering idea, however, I generally prefer to keep it as minimal as possible. If a branch has too many off-shoots, consider creating a new mind map with it. You can see I have entered the typical modes required for each use in Beat Detective.

Now the branches are filled out, we are free to spice up the mind map with an assortment of extra features. Use arrows to emphasize relationships between topics. Actively look for connections that would make sense to highlight. As an example, I decided to emphasize the ‘conform’ mode with three arrows pointing to its use. Similarly, I enveloped the ‘conform’ and its descendent branches in a cloud shaped boundary to accentuate Beat Detective’s modalities. Boundaries are useful for distinguishing or bringing attention to an area.

My BOIs were already alphabetically arranged around the map. However, I numbered them for greater clarity.

Finally, adding imagery should aid recall. They may be figurative or literal in meaning. I’ve added a dancer above ‘groove’, conductor hands for ‘tempo’ extraction branches, and inserted a looped arrow into the ‘loop matching’ boxed branch. The envelope above ‘post’ is literal while the broken record bursting with energy is a figurative representation of ‘remixing’.

We now know how to make a mind map, but you may ask, do they really work?

Mapping the Evidence

According to Tony Buzan’s theory, mind maps work by mimicking the biological structure of brain neurons and their connections (Buzan, 2018, p. 51-55). Although, some spurious claims regarding brain function have led Buzan to be accused of pseudoscience and hyperbole (Foer, 2012, p. 205). Nevertheless, the literature generally supports the efficacy of mind mapping as a practical application.

A couple of studies, cited by Buzan, showed mind maps do aid memory. Mind map software boosted recall by up to 32%, compared to the control group, in students aged between 9-12 (Toi, 2009). Another found long-term memory of undergraduate medical students increased by 10% using mind maps to recall facts (Farrand, Hussain & Hennessy 2002). Similarly, recent research found medical students self-reported 90% better retention but also 70% better time management using mind maps to study (Sajjannar, Naregal, & Walvekar, 2019).

Better time management can also be gained through effective planning. Digital Media and History of Computers students were taught mind mapping software. Grades were an improvement on the previous year (Holland, Holland, & Davies, 2003/2004). It was determined mind maps improved planning and structure of written and practical assignments. Another study examining the writing skills of freshmen found the experimental group using mind map software for assignments had more relevant detail, superior organisation and connected ideas compared to the control group (Al-Jarf, 2009). The experimental group reported mind mapping allowed them to be faster at organising and generating ideas for paragraphs.

Brainstorming aids problem solving as well as creative thinking. A music school used mind maps in a series of graded stages in which violin students provided greater participation in the study of a piece (Fitria, et al, 2020). Teachers found this form of learning promoted ideas, initiative, creativity, as the student progresses towards being a critical thinker of music. The authors say:

“Mind mapping is very useful for overcoming problems in learning the violin practice. To unravel and map clearly the things needed in understanding a song as a whole, to get an appropriate interpretation of the picture, in order to convey the song as well as possible.”

It appears mind maps are an effective tool in teaching music. Let’s look at how audio professionals could utilize them for various applications.

Mind Maps for Audio Professionals

The following concentrates on how mind maps may be adopted by audio professionals. It isn’t an exhaustive list, rather intended as simple examples to illustrate and perhaps inspire usage.

Educational Map

The original intention of mind mapping was as an alternative to traditional notetaking in education. Whenever you learn something, a mind map will help consolidate the main themes and ideas in one view. An educational map has the same advantages when teaching a subject. The lecturer and students can see the main points on the map in front of them. Each branch guiding and triggering the speaker throughout the presentation.

The above map, ‘Compression Basics UA’, is from an article on compression (Universal Audio, 2020), which has been interpreted into mind map form. To read the full article by Universal Audio: click here.

Memory Map

Although mind maps naturally lend themselves to being good memory aids, if a map needs to be learnt for recall, there are certain techniques that increase the chances of success. In the ‘S1 Event Short-Cuts’ map, I have made a memory map of Studio One 4 keyboard short-cuts for the Events. I applied the following tips to the map:

• Branch Ordering – a memory map allows an easily remembered order to follow for recall. This could be done clockwise, anti-clockwise, across and down, or across and up. I invariably like to read my maps clockwise. For extra clarity, branches may be numbered, but in this case, I have chosen only to place my topics in alphabetical order.

• Synaesthesia – is the name given to the phenomenon of seeing words, sounds, and other sensations in certain colours. It has been reported as an irritant – but with mind maps – the phenomenon helps memory. As someone with synaesthesia, I do occasionally find it annoying, yet useful for memorising. If you don’t have synaesthesia already, you can develop it at your own risk! Simply designate a colour to a letter. You’ll find some easier than others. ‘G’ is obviously good for green; I also like ‘P’ to be a rich yellow; ‘M’ is pale or dark pink depending on the word; ‘Q’ is always a fluorescent green!

• Images – where appropriate use images to accompany or replace words. Images are easier for the mind to remember. They can be figurative or literal. I used a ball to denote ‘Bounce’. I literally captured Parts and Patterns from Studio One! Arrow icons representing Gain and Fine Gain needed no words.

• Coding – some symbols are more abstract. I took advantage of the mind map software’s Branch Art to code short-cut modifiers.

No matter how well you prepare a map, one essentially still needs repetition to reliably remember the material long-term. An effective memory map will give you good recall on review. Do not worry if your memory fails, simply amend the map for improved recollection. I like what I call an active review. Active reviews are when I recall a map by creating a copy, either drawn, or recreated in the software.

Schematic Map

Mind maps are not just about formal learning, they have other uses as well, such as making great schematic diagrams for planning events or problem-solving. For example, the featured ‘Out/In’ map shows the inputs and outputs plan for recording a band. The inputs are coloured red, and outputs are green. Notice that the connected devices aren’t even put in words, as the images are sufficient for the purpose. The broken arrows show where a limiter will be used to prevent clipping.

Mind Maps in Communication

Letters, résumés, applications, calls, and meetings can be prepared for using a mind map. Topics for discussion may be brainstormed on to the main branches, beforehand, with finer details on the sub-branches if needed. This can be done for written, or oral communication, and memorised if need be.

Returning to Pam’s phone call, a mind map would be suitable for solving her dilemma (Buzan, Griffiths, & Harrison. 2010, p. 66-67), especially in software form. Decent software allows the user to save templates (like ‘Client Call’ above) and add branches at the touch of a button. Pam prepares for the call by adding points to be discussed in advance to the ‘Topics’ branch. If no preparation is possible, it would still be easy to quickly open the template.

As the conversation begins to flow back and forth, expanding or digressing, client wishes can be appended as they happen on the ‘Requirements’ branch. Any inspiration which may arise during the conversation is noted off the ‘Ideas’ branch. The onscreen visual reference increases Pam’s confidence with the client. Plus, the need for the logical ordering of the mind map keeps her engaged and focused on the conversation.

After the call has ended, Pam is able to carry on adding requirements and ideas. Now is the time to add tasks to the ‘Actions’ branch, following the conversation. These actions can either be converted into a new mind map or ticked off accordingly.

Project Map

When Pam has finished brainstorming, she might want to work with a project map. The idea of a project map is to keep track of the project and to keep an active to-do-list. Mind map software is perfect for adding and deleting tasks as required. Working towards seeing the deleting of completed branches breaks up big projects into manageable chunks. If the map gets too crowded, one can convert basic ordering ideas into smaller concentrated maps.

Once Pam put down the bare bones of the song for her client, she found it difficult to complete the track. The problem for Pam was listening to the song and then tinkering with it in a disorganised way.

Pam’s ‘Project’ map, above, naturally transformed into a mind map for each part of the song. When listening to the track, Pam simply added tasks or concerns she needed to exercise before the song was complete. For example, the bridge needed the guitar editing, therefore, Pam simply marked ‘guitar’ off the ‘Bridge’ branch. When completing the task, Pam had the satisfaction of deleting it!

Mind Map Software

All the mind maps in this article were created with iMindMap. Unfortunately, iMindMap is now legacy software and has been replaced Ayoa. Ayoa is a complete task management software that goes well beyond mind mapping. Although it doesn’t currently have all the features of iMindMap, I expect it to restore the majority of them in time.

There are several mind map apps available, propriety and freeware, depending on the platform. Click here for a list of them from Wikipedia.

In Summary

Mind Maps are radial diagrams which branch out like trees of information from a centre image. They generally have good evidence for their effectiveness. Audio professionals could use mind maps for a variety of tasks in learning, teaching, planning, communications and executing projects.

References

Al-Jarf, R. (2009). ‘Enhancing Freshman students’ Writing Skills with a Mind Mapping software’. Paper presented at the 5th International Scientific Conference, eLearning and Software for Education, Bucharest, April 2009.

Avid (2019). Pro Tools Reference Guide Version 2019.10. [online] Retrieved from: http://resources.avid.com/SupportFiles/PT/Pro_Tools_Reference_Guide_2019.10.pdf [Accessed on 29th April 2020]

Buzan, T. (2018). Mind Map Mastery: The Complete Guide to Learning and Using the Most Powerful Thinking Tool in the Universe. London: Watkins.

Buzan, T., Griffiths, C., and Harrison, J. (2010). Mind Maps for Business. Pearson.

Farrand, P., Hussain, F., and Hennessy E. (2002). ‘The efficacy of the ‘mind map’ study technique’. Medical Education, Vol. 36 (5), pp 426-431.

Fitria, Y., & Floriasti, T., Djohan, Dr & Sittiprapaporn, P. (2020). Mind mapping tool increased critical thinking through blended learning. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences. 11. 42-50. 10.3126/ajms.v11i1.26516.

Foer, J. (2012). Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything. London: Penguin Books.

Holland, B., Holland, L., and Davies, J. (2003/2004). ‘An investigation into the concept of Mind Mapping and the use of Mind Mapping software to support and improve student academic performance’. Learning and Teaching Projects. 2003/2004, pp 89-94.

Sajjannar D.S., Naregal G.V., Walvekar S.S. (2019). Effectiveness of Mind Mapping as an Active Learning Tool among MBBS Phase-1 Students in Biochemistry. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development. 2019;10(12):64.

Toi, H. (2009). ‘Research on how Mind Map improves Memory’. Paper presented at the International Conference on Thinking, Kuala Lumpur, 22nd to 26th June 2009.

Universal Audio (2020). Audio Compression Basics. Production Expert. [online] 09.03.20. Available at: https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/2020/3/1/audio-compression-basics-not-sure-about-what-compressors-do-read-this?rq=compression%20basics [Accessed on 29th April 2020]