How do you integrate mind mapping and sketching with other creative methods and tools?

3 Step 3: Organize and filter with affinity mapping

After you have a large number of ideas, you need to organize and filter them to find the most promising ones. Affinity mapping is a technique that helps you group and categorize your ideas based on their similarities and differences. You can use tools like Miro, Mural, or Jamboard to create digital affinity maps, or simply use sticky notes and a wall. The key is to follow some basic steps: write each idea on a separate note, sort them into clusters, label each cluster, and prioritize the clusters.

4 Step 4: Visualize with sketching

Once you have a few clusters of ideas, you need to visualize them to make them more concrete and tangible. Sketching is a technique that helps you draw quick and rough representations of your ideas, without worrying about details or perfection. You can use tools like Procreate, Sketchbook, or Adobe Fresco to create digital sketches, or simply use paper and pencils. The key is to follow some basic tips: use simple shapes, use annotations, and use multiple perspectives.

5 Step 5: Test and improve with prototyping

After you have a few sketches of your ideas, you need to test and improve them to make them more feasible and desirable. Prototyping is a technique that helps you create low-fidelity and interactive models of your ideas, using materials like cardboard, paper, clay, or Lego. You can use tools like InVision, Figma, or Marvel to create digital prototypes, or simply use scissors and glue. The key is to follow some basic principles: make it fast, make it cheap, and make it user-friendly.

6 Step 6: Communicate with storytelling

Once you have a few prototypes of your ideas, you need to communicate them to others to get feedback and support. Storytelling is a technique that helps you craft and deliver compelling narratives around your ideas, using elements like characters, conflict, and resolution. You can use tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, or Prezi to create digital presentations, or simply use posters and speech. The key is to follow some basic guidelines: use emotion, use contrast, and use evidence.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?