Mind Map
A mind map puts one topic in the middle and branches out everything connected to it, so students can see how ideas relate instead of listing them.
Beginner◷ 15–30 minFree · no login
Start in the middle. What's connected to it?
How to use it + an example
How to use it
- 1Put your topic in the middleA problem, a question or a design context.
- 2Add main branchesPeople, places, materials, problems, things that already exist.
- 3Grow smaller branchesKeep asking “what else is connected to this?”
- 4Draw the linksJoin branches that affect each other. Surprises live there.
- 5Pick 2–3 to find out aboutCircle them and turn each into a research question.
Example
- ↳ who eats where
- ↳ what gets left
- ↳ wrappers
- ↳ cartons
- ↳ cling film
- ↳ hot lunch
- ↳ snacks
- ↳ fruit
- ↳ general
- ↳ recycling
- ↳ compost?
Four branches surface one question worth researching.
When to use it: At the very start of a design project, to open up a problem before narrowing it — inquiring and analysing (MYP Design Criterion A).
Discover: Find out what's really going on.
Your turn ↓
🗺️ Mind Map
Build a radial brainstorm. Start with a central concept, branch outward, then find the links between branches.
Look back. Which branch grew more than you expected?
Try next
- Assumption CheckWrite what you think you know about your user, plan how to find out, then mark each guess right or wrong.Try it free →
- Interview PlannerPlan open questions for a real person, then record what they said and what surprised you.Try it free →
- What / How / WhyWatch someone do the task: note what they do, how they do it, then guess why.Try it free →
For teachers: Discover stage · 15-30m. Free, no login. One of the 45 design thinking tools on StudioLoom, which also puts them inside lessons so students’ thinking is saved with their project.