5 Reasons to join Biggerplate Unplugged - Utrecht (NL)

If you are an actor in the mind mapping domain or just interested by the subject, here are 5 reasons why Biggerplate Unplugged - Utrecht (NL) is the place to be on October 9th, 2013.When your name sticks to mind mapping, when people insist to meet you in person and when you are as passionate by the subject as I am, you can’t miss an event such Biggerplate Unplugged - Utrecht. Therefore, I will cross the northern border of Belgium and I will visit my friends in The Netherlands on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. If you are an actor in the domain or just interested by the topic, it’s the place to be. We will meet there to listen to expert speakers, join roundtable discussions, and grasp the opportunity to turn online connections into real world collaboration.

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Most popular hashtags on Twitter

Using hashtags in your Tweets obviously increases the visibility of your message. They also allow you to start or join conversations. Discover in this article the list of most popular hashtags, their classification in an interactive mind map and a free tool to explore them If you are active on Twitter or if you plan to be soon, you may find helpful to have a look at the most popular hashtags you could insert in your messages. Twitter hashtags marks keywords or topics in Tweets. They are composed of a single word or phrase beginning with a "#" and with no spaces or punctuation. They were originally created by Twitter users and have become a so powerful and natural way to participate in global conversations that even Facebook rolled-out the system.

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8 examples that show how much Belgian sport is doing great

News curation combined with mind mapping create new messages and provoke new feelings. Beyond information structure, a mind map is also a fantastic vehicle for emotions and social exchange Belgium is a small country in Europe but it has been extraordinary present all around the world during the month of June 2013, thanks to its champions in various sports. The belgian sport is doing great, especially these last weeks. However, considered isolated, each performance and its related news is just welcome but it is not as impressive as if you would put all of them together.

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What if I don't like colors?

Using colors in mind maps is maybe useful but for some of you, it may have an opposite effect or simply, there is less interest. Anyway, do we always have a set of color pencils with us? This article will show you how to make your mind map branches unique even in black and white It is not uncommon to meet people who say they do not like or use colors in documents. No later than last week, a teacher called me for help because one of her students prefers to draw mind maps only in black. She tried to convince him to use colors, explaining him the benefits, but in vain.

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Have you been kind this year?

In everyday life, you will encounter several occasions that require the creation of a wish list, with gifts for you or another beneficiary. December is a great month to talk about presents and a good opportunity for me to explain how mind mapping can really help you to manage such an activity.It’s December, the month of gifts. In Belgium, Saint-Nicolas is bringing toys to kids who have been kind during the year. It’s also Baptiste (my son) birthday. In other countries, Santa Claus will visit the children later in the month for Christmas. But adults also love Christmas presents, this evening during which we can exchange small and original presents to each other in front of the illuminated tree.

I don’t know how you proceed on your side but, on our side, kids traditionally prepare themselves a wish list of gifts (toys, books, clothes …) which they send to the old man. They usually use various paper catalogues we have received from different shops. They cut images and then they glue on a panel. It’s of course a very pleasant activity for them but for us, the parents, it’s not obvious to manage it further. Indeed, how do we track who will offer what? Or, how do we make it available for the gift makers? How do we communicate where to buy the toys?

I had an idea how mind mapping could help us to better manage the whole stuff, keeping the pleasure at the centre of our considerations. But I had to make it practical in order to verify my thoughts. Therefore, I proposed to my sons to move away from the traditional panel and create a mind map instead.

A very efficient structure

At the centre of the map, the idea was quite obvious: something like "What do I want to receive from Saint-Nicolas". Then, in order to identify the main branches, we made an interesting exercise. I asked the kids to look at the different tickets they had cut and to group them in clusters that made sense for them. At first sight, they found it a bit useless because they thought everything was just a gift or toy. But with a deeper analysis, they finally identified main types such as board game, books or clothes and main domains such has sport, WII or electronics.

Future main branches of the mind map

Once the main branches were created, it became easy to place the items on the map and also quite natural to create sub-branches when appropriate. Indeed, during this generative thinking activity, the brain is stimulated to produce more thoughts. When looking at the structure and the items already in place, new ideas came to their mind; new wishes, very interesting and valuable ones were added, giving more choices and flexibility to the gift maker. The end result is a very well presented list, easy to understand and memorise. The kids appreciated the initiative.

A mind map replacing a traditional wish list

A fantastic communication tool

Beyond considerations of the children, there is additional information to collect and communicate to the different persons who will make a gift. Indeed, although children think you will send the letter to the North Pole, we all know that you will have to distribute it to the different members of the family (grand-parents, godmother, uncle …). Those people will be happy to know where they can buy easily the item, what it looks like and how much it costs approximately.

The mind map is absolutely perfect for adding and maintaining this kind information. When you use a computer application such as iMindMap, it becomes even easier. For the place to buy, you can either mention a physical shop (the brand is usually enough) or even a web shop, with a direct link to the product on the internet. You can also find on the web a nice picture as well as other details that might be interesting to add on your map. For those who are interested, the resource file is available for download on Biggerplate, the mind map library.

Using a digital support, you will benefit from features that are not possible with the traditional approach. You will be able to export it as an image that you can send via e-mail. You will be able to print and distribute on paper if necessary. New technologies allow you now to upload it in the cloud and just send a link to latest version. People are sometimes embarrassed in the shop with the choice. Using smart devices, they will be able to access the wish list on-line, check out the picture in order to make the right choice or decide to take another present if they cannot find what they were looking for.

Management made easy

Once the mind map is created and distributed, there is still a problem to consider: “who is going to offer what?” It’s not easy to keep in mind all the feedback you received. Exchange efficiently the information between those who have already made their choice with those who still have to decide is not an easy task. Again, the mind map will help you a lot to manage all of that. All you have to do is to mark each gift with the name of the person who will offer it, using an additional sub-branch. Looking at the big picture, you can easily monitor what is already booked and what is still available.

Another interesting task is to define preferences, especially when the amount of gifts is important. Using a typical rating with stars, you can ask the children to define what they want to receive first. You can also communicate what are you own preferences as parents, knowing the educational or practical value of the gift (single versus multi-players, creative, powered by battery …) or maybe its redundancy with existing ones.

Other types of wish lists

The case I detailed here above is quite representative of the effectiveness of mind mapping for managing a wish list. Here are a couple of additional examples where you can use a mind map for organising a list of gifts:

Promotion or retirement at work: It’s not always obvious to define what you should offer to a colleague, especially when you are several to decide. Why not create a mind map with all the ideas and discuss about the alternatives according to the personality of the beneficiary. The mind map will be a nice support for collaborating and finally selecting a couple of options according to the budget you collected. The person will more than happy to receive a great gift instead of cash.

Wedding, birth or baptism: Shops usually offer services to manage wish lists, from the creation to the consultation, including money collection and frequent updates. If you want to think about what you need or would like to receive, you can create a mind map before going to the shop. You will certainly save some time. If you start early enough, the support will be ideal to generate ideas and make a selection. If you want to present your wishes in a creative way, you can also publish your mind map (on a website dedicated to the event for example). It will be an original manner for your family and friends to discover your desires and a different way to invite them to make gifts.

Birthday: Very similarly to the Saint-Nicolas or Santa Claus case, the beneficiary can organize the wish list with a mind map. If necessary, parents or friends can contribute and influence the content in order to match some of their expectations. All the benefits explained earlier remain applicable.

Saint-Valentine: Do you want to make a gift to your partner that will surprise him/her and will really make the difference? A bit earlier in the year, start your mind map. Listen to your partner and capture both ideas and domains of interest. Try to read between the lines and add everything you thing is interesting to consider. When the time has come to decide, review your notes and imagine the gift that match the most. 

Christmas party: Imagine that you want to offer several small and creative gifts to different persons (family, friends …). Start your mind map with a main branch for each person to satisfy. If you already have concrete ideas about what to offer to them, add it on sub-branches. If you know what characterize them or what domains they appreciate, add it as well. Along your visits in shops or on Christmas markets, collect ideas or buy some presents. Assign them to the persons on your map. Looking at the big picture, you will easily see what you still have to find or buy. You will also see who will be happy and who won’t.

I want my article to be as much practical as possible because I truly believe it's the best way to invite you to test the mind mapping technique and discover by yourself the benefits. This is my gift to you. I wish you a great December month, with plenty of other warm gifts. Not big ones, not expensive ones but presents that will mean something for you or will make you laugh; the kind of presents that will make you happy.

Be open-minded.

Be creative.

Have fun.

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Mind mapping in the nature

I would like to invite you with this article to create mind maps as naturally as possible. Looking at the beauty of nature, I discovered some elements that were shaped like mind maps. Is it a coincidence that some of the rules of mind mapping correspond with some of the laws of nature? Let me share with you a nice story about mind mapping in the nature.I would like to invite you with this article to create mind maps as naturally as possible. I’m hearing a lot about the creation process which is sometimes painful, with constraints that are not always understood or mastered. The reason why there is no section on this website about the rules is because I’m still investigating the reasoning and the limits behind each. We are facing constrains every minutes of our life in everything we are doing. On computers, we do not choose how we do things, we do the way the software tells us to do. The natural way to realize things do not mean much anymore. In mind mapping, some of the rules that may block you are in fact an invitation to escape from the conventional or framed way of thinking. Bash some educational barriers and behave more naturally, in harmony with your mind and the Nature. Look for freedom in your actions and decisions. Do not care too much about what others say about your maps. You will find mind mapping easier and pleasant, and therefore, more efficient.

In that context, let me tell you this nice story. Some days ago, I was enjoying a peaceful rest in my garden and I was appreciating the beauty of nature. I noticed that the dead tree was a bit like a piece of a mind map. A bit later, I saw a couple of weed roots which were also looking like mind maps. Looking for more of them, I found another one on a leaf of a tree ... It immediately made me think about this nice chat I had with Jean-Pascal CÔTE, one of my French peers in the mind mapping domain. Thanks to him, I discovered the notion of biomimicry or biomimetics. This is the examination of Nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems (source Wikipedia). It’s really an interesting domain.

I was inspired by the topic and the relation I could established between some elements in the nature and the format of mind maps. I decided to create some representative examples that would illustrate my discovery. I took some photos that I used for drawing what I could call “natural” mind maps. In fact, I did not draw anything. I just put words on branches that were appearing naturally on my pictures. Here they are.

Mind map in the nature - Root example

Mind map in the nature - Leaf example

Mind map in the nature - Tree example

With the idea of biomimetics in the head and while making this unconventional artwork, I could not prevent myself from thinking about the similarities between the natural world and mind maps. It was very interesting to discover that actually some of the rules are also respected in the nature. Let’s have a look at some of them.

• There is a clear origin: there is a starting point where all the energy is concentrated. It is not necessary located in the centre but it is definitely a root element from where other elements escape. 
• Branches radiate: there is a clear first level of main branches (thickest) radiating from and around the origin (even if it is not always at 360 degree). 
• Branches have sub-branches: there is a natural hierarchy structure that comes out from the element, with sub-branches appearing increasingly thin. 
• There is no broken line: from the start to the deepest part of the element, everything is connected and creates a flow of energy. 
• Branches are curved: don’t look for a straight line in the nature, you will not find any. Do you want to bet? There is not a single straight line on earth that has not been manufactured by the human race. 
• The space is infinite: there is a vast space the nature can use to grow and expand. 

You can probably discover more of them and share your findings here. You can also think about other elements in the nature that are close to mind map structures. Here are some images that make me think about it.

Electric spark	Firework	River delta
Hippocampal neuron		Blood vessels (SEM)

Practically, if you want to add text on a nature mind map (e.g. an out-of-the-box creative presentations), you can use iMindMap, the mind map software tool. First import the image in the background. Then you can draw your mind map on top. Make sure you are using 3 different colours: one for the background, one for the branches (same for all) and one for the text font. Once your mind map is finish, remove the background image. The last step consists in taking a screenshot of your mind map and extracting the branch texts. You can achieve that with an image editor (e.g. GIMP) using the "select by colour" magic wand and copy the selection in the clipboard. Finally, you can superpose your text image over the background image in your presentation. Hope you have been inspired.

Be open-minded!
Be creative!

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Am I drawing true mind maps ?

You will discover in this article several mind maps without an explicit central idea or main branches, especially one that details the characteristics of a stage of Tour de France. Although they are quite different from standards, I will explain to you why they are interesting and very inspiring.I have recently received a couple of feedbacks saying that some of my artworks are not really mind maps (see previous posts about Tour de France or Food Pyramid). But why some of my mind maps are triggering such a reaction? The answer is simply because there is no explicit central idea and/or main branches. The one I decided to share with you here details a specific stage of Tour de France 2012, the prestigious cycling race. And it may receive the same kind of comments once again.

This mind map is fully supported by iMindMap, the mind mapping software. I built it with a succession of branches representing the profile of the route (using freehand feature), linking the start and the finish towns. Although it is not explicitly appearing on the screen, the central idea is "Tour de France 2012 | Macon - Bellegarde stage". At the end of each branch, there is an opportunity to provide additional information with sub-branches (altitude, distance, location, climb characteristics, etc). From those points, you can imagine any kind of additional information (time estimation, race strategy, standings at the top of the hills, ...). The support is ready, mind mapping can happen.

Tour de France - Stage zoom - Mind map with iMindMap

My objective is not to debate here what a true mind map is or whether I’m respecting the rules. I have a rather personal and creative way of interpreting the notion of mind mapping. What is important is to provoke a paradigm shift in the way we are thinking and structuring the information in order to release the hidden potential of our mind. Of course, Tony Buzan and his approach remain for me one of the most inspiring references in the domain.

I’m probably one of the first who created mind maps that do not start from the centre (see How to create a tree with a mind map) or do not contain obvious main branches (see How to create a timeline with a mind map). Other mind mappers such as Hans Buskes or Patrick Zimbardo have recently produced nice out-of-the-box mind maps as well. They bring a great contribution in the domain. 


So why should I limit myself to draw mind maps that radiate only from a single and central point if I obtain interesting results with an extended approach? For example, this typical mind map about the brain (see picture) actually hides 2 basic ordering ideas (“Left” and “Right”) because of the central image. Note that although it may simplify the overall layout of the mind map or the generation of secondary level branches, it's also limiting the creation of new main ordering ideas (which could be an obstacle during the generative thinking process).


Thinking further, I can imagine starting a mind map with 3, 4, 5 or even more hidden main branches, either because they are implicitly expressed by the central image or because it makes the mind map more readable. Going even further, I can imagine that the central shape outline (triangle, square or more complex ones) is an open line or a curve that contains a couple of points from where I would like to start radiating and organising the information. The central idea and the main branches become invisible and implicit as shown on the figure here below.

In order to better illustrate the concept, I can give you a couple of practical examples:

• Analyse and/or compare the offer of a triple-play provider

Provider offer mind map

• Teach and discuss the main evolution of man on a timeline

Human evolution mind map

• Present a product line-up

Product line-up mind map

And I let you imagine what could be:

• Capturing, analysing and debriefing player performance on a basketball field 
• Coach your rally champion about the characteristic of each curve of a rally race route 
• Explain the water cycle phases from a nice 3D picture 
• ...

Isn’t it the most important? RADIATING around a thought, a concept, a word, an idea, etc... and keep everything CONNECTED. Whether it is starting from the first level or deeper in the structure, we are still generating and connecting ideas and keywords together. Isn’t it the essence of mind mapping? I often hear that it is difficult to identify the main branches (Basic Ordering Ideas). An alternative is to consider them implicitly belonging to the centre of the map (and its image) or maybe not consider them at all in order to start directly at a deeper level.

This is what I do in some of my creative mind maps. This is an alternative way of benefiting from standard mind mapping with slightly different starting points. It could even help some of you to start to create a mind map more easily. An important success factor for an efficient mind map is the ability to articulate and connect some thoughts from where it’s then possible to develop the idea with further details. Approach the mind map structure a bit differently should allow you to keep applying this principle.

Be open minded! 

Be creative!

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Tour de France 2012 - Interactive Mind Map

The Tour the France 2012 started on June 30th, from Liège in Belgium. Discover a new interactive map (of France) and creative mind maps detailing the characteristics of the stages. It combines the drawing flexibility of iMindMap software and the power of online tagging with ThingLink tool.

I'm living in the Province Liège (Belgium) which launches the 2012 Tour de France. It is with unfeigned delight and pride that, following up the success of 2004, the Province once again hosts the grand start of the Tour.

The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages. Individual times to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winner at the end of the race. The course changes every year, but the race has always finished in Paris, along the Champs-Élysées (Wikipedia).

Running from Saturday June 30th to Sunday July 22th 2012, the 99th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,497 kilometres.

This important event taking place in my region is a new opportunity for me to use iMindMap and ThingLink tools in order to design an interactive map, and detailed mind maps for stages. Following Patrick Zimbardo's idea who used a mind map for giving results about EURO2012 football matches (see Patrick's mind map), I plan to update each mind map with the results of the day, during the time of the Tour.

Tour de France 2012 - Stage - Mind Map Overview with iMindMap

You can download the iMindMap file on Biggerplate plateform.

I truly believe that creative mind maps provide new ways of communicating useful information, whether it is for giving the big picture or going into the details. The stage mind map will inform you about the date, the distance, the profile (mountain passes, hills, intermediate sprint), the start and finish towns and once known, the 3 first cyclists crossing the finish line. I also invite you to read Am I drawing true mind maps? where you will find another creative mind map describing the route and the profile of a specific stage.

Further to the recent success of the first interactive mind map with ThingLink, I wanted to use once again this fantastic image tagging tool. I used iMindMap, the mind map tool from ThinkBuzan, to re-create the entire route of the Tour de France 2012. The software is extremely flexible and I've been able to draw the route with a true mind map (which you can eventually discover step by step with the presentation mode). I have already used the technique for drawing the timeline or the dot-to-dot game. On top of the image, I placed a ThingLink tag for each stage of the race. If you move your mouse over the route of a stage, you will expand the corresponding mind maps, which will give you the characteristics. Along the tour, the interactive image will also give you access to the main standings (individual, points and climber) and to the official website (www.letour.fr)

Tour de France 2012 - Route - Interactive Mind Map with Thinglink

Click here if you want to access a larger version of the interactive map.

I hope you will enjoy this new creative mind map and its interactivity. Whether you like sport or not, the objective of this article is essentially to show the power of iMindMap combined with ThingLink in order to communicate information in an attractive and efficient way.


Do not hesitate to share your own experiences with the tools. You are also welcome to ask questions about the technique, start discussions about the topic, give some feedback or contact me via the different channels for your requests or any additional information.

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Interactive mind map with ThingLink

Innovation can be as simple as combining two tools such as iMindMap and ThingLink which were not initially designed to work together. Discover how to turn your mind maps (or any other image) into attractive, interactive and sharable online content using rich media tags from ThingLink. I was looking for an easy way to embed sound and video in my exported mind maps and make them more interactive on the web. My preferred mind mapping software has not feature this option (yet). But recently, I discovered a very simple tool to do it on top, just in a few clicks. It's straight forward, it is called ThingLink and I wanted to share it with you. Let me explain you how to turn your mind maps (or any other image) into attractive, interactive and shareable online content using rich media tags.

Think outside the box

People are often asking me how many different tools I’m using to draw my creative mind maps and how much difficult it is. I might surprise you with my answer but actually I’m using only a few and it is easier than it seems. Indeed, innovation can be as simple as considering two tools such as iMindMap and ThingLink which were not initially designed to work together but once combined, offer you a new dimension to explore and create. I have already addressed this subject in my previous posts  Beyond limits of software and Creative mind maps are also possible with computers. Most of the time the solution is not in one application. We are living in an open world. Open your mind, be curious and go outside the box which is imposed by your software. (R-)Evolution is somewhere there.

About the tagging tool
ThingLink is a Finnish-American provider of in-image interaction tools. It’s a tool that makes it easy to add clickable tags to any image on the web and share them on social networks. When linked with a URL to one of the rich media enabled sites, a tag (bubble) is created for the related content. These tags will then be revealed every time a viewer scrolls their mouse over the uploaded image.

ThingLink technology changes how people engage with photos by transforming them from a static image, into a navigational surface for exploring rich, relevant content that enhances the viewer’s knowledge and experience. It's free for the first 50 images you tag.

ThingLink’s exclusive Rich Media Tags feature popular media players, apps and websites -- from YouTube, Vimeo, TED, SoundCloud, Google Maps, Spotify, FlickR, Instagram, TwitPic, Imgur, Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Amazon, eBay, BestBuy, iTunes, Etsy, Mailchimp, ThrillCall, Eventbrite and FanBridge (visit ThingLink blog for most recent information and updates). Marketers can also create links inside images to anywhere on the Internet and build custom, branded tags using ThingLink’s smart app developer tools. ThingLink tag supports the Open Graph API, enabling publishers of newspapers, magazines and blogs to feature content as rich media tags on interactive images. For web sites using Open Graph, ThingLink Smart Tags automatically convey a story post with a post title, image and source. 

Interact with the mind map
Mouse over the picture here below and discover an interesting way of interacting with a mind map. You will find various pieces of content I selected from my personal library and from some of my peers. Who knows? You might have been tagged! Check it and share it.

Interactive mind map with ThingLink

Click here if you want to access a larger version of the interactive map.

Add tags in a few clicks

Here are very simple steps you can use to turn your mind map into an interactive one:

1. Create an image file of your mind map;
2. Identify and collect the URLs of the different rich media enabled sites you want to embed (all URLs are supported but not all will reveal a rich media tag);
3. Sign up for ThingLink. It's free!
4. Upload your mind map image (from your drive, Facebook, FlickR or from a URL on the web);
5. Edit your tags. It is as simple as clicking the image at the exact place where you want the tag to appear and paste the associated URL. You can also add a description that will appear inside the bubble;
6. Save your tagged image on your dashboard;
7. Share your image with your network. You can also track the traffic it generates;

If you need more information about the type of tags that are supported, there is a presentation about Rich Media Tags on SlideShare or this video on Youtube. The support section on ThingLink website is also providing very good information and explanations.
I hope I could unlock some creativity blockers you might face. I'm sure you are now ready to achieve new things with your mind maps and bring them to a different level. Would you have examples you want to share, do not hesitate to post here below. Your feedback is appreciated. It's a very important support for going further and give you more articles like this one.

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Five Wives and One Husband in colour

I dedicate this post to Chris Griffiths, CEO of ThinkBuzan, the organisation behind Mind Mapping. Chris is near to publishing a new book. In his book, he will teach you techniques to generate ideas beyond conventional patterns and he will show you how to develop your powers as a creative thinker. What I will give to you this time is perfectly aligned with the book and will bring you one step further to mastering computer based mind maps.

I dedicate this post to Chris Griffiths, CEO of ThinkBuzan, the organisation behind Mind Mapping. Chris is near to publishing a new book – GRASP The solution. In his book, he will teach you techniques to generate ideas beyond conventional patterns and he will show you how to develop your powers as a creative thinker. What I will give to you this time is perfectly aligned with the book and will bring you one step further to mastering computer based mind maps.

The way you define your challenge or problem will influence your chances of finding the keys to success or solutions. I remember what happened during the last team building event we did at work a couple of weeks ago. The facilitator had hardly started to explain what the challenge was, nearly everybody had already started to discuss, prepare and even implement a solution. A lot of important information was missed, nobody took the time to look around whether the context could help, and nobody could remember how much time we had to finish it. During the exercise, nobody looked at the clock or questioned some of the initial statements. It ended in a chaotic situation until we decided to (re-)analyse the problem properly and apply a strategy somehow.

Some exploration is needed in order to better understand the context, identify a couple of alternatives and think about the solution(s). Instead of using plain text, we can use divergent or radiant thinking empowered by mind maps. This improves the overall comprehension of the problem and ensure we keep the focus on the primary goal. It’s by far the best way to generate more and new ideas.

One very useful method for breaking down your problem in a way that maximises your understanding and your chances of finding a solution is called the Five W’s and One H. It consists in mapping out the problem using What? Why? Where? Who? When? and How? pattern. The technique is straight forward and with a mind map, you can easily start your exploration process by setting your challenge or problem as the central idea. Then, each of the main branches will address one of the questions.

Five Ws and One H mind map creative template - Black

You can find a lot of books or websites dealing with the subject as well as some templates for supporting the exercises, including mind maps. However, I insist again on the fact that we cannot just do the work using the same look and feel again and again. Creativity is waiting there to unlock the doors of formalised and standardised outputs. I consider the Five W’s and One H template very easy to implement but I wanted it to go beyond the usual layout and usage. Therefore, I have designed a much more engaging template for you. It is a first example of how a well known practice, used by thousands of people in the world can reach another level of creative thinking, fully supported by the iMindMap software.

By applying different layouts, colours, backgrounds, fonts that match or customize the subject analysed, my goal is to assist and inspire you and make it possible for you:

- Enjoy the process (both creating and reviewing);

- Generate more and new ideas;

- Create a unique reference that can be distinguished from other similar initiatives (from you or others);

- Amaze and engage your audience when presenting.

Let your imagination guide you to different outputs according to your objectives. iMindMap supports background colours and floating images, why not use them. As an example, here are a couple of other mind maps derived from the initial one.

Five Ws and One H mind map creative template - Water

Five Ws and One H mind map creative template - Eco

More practically, if you want to proceed further with the template here is some complementary information which may guide you when filling-in the map.

For consequent problems:

WHAT? Investigate the circumstances of the problem. What are the facts, without assumptions, causing it. Gather a maximum of information and details from the environment (people, systems, ...).

WHY? Look for the conditions or the events that are causing the problem. Without judging or denying, list elements that if eliminated might prevent the problem from occuring.

WHO? Identify the person or people who can help to solve the problem and can be involved in the solution (consultant, expert, family, colleague, ...).

WHEN? Define strictly your deadline and the time frame for the rest of the problem assessment and solution implementation.

WHERE? Determine the best place or environment in which you will work things out or implement the solution. Where would this ideal location be?

HOW? Describe how the problem influence people and activities in terms of tasks, departments, resources, tools, ...

For significant challenges or objectives:

WHAT? Explain what you are trying to achieve. Give the details about your objective, what you want to happen and where you want to get to.

WHY? Give details about the reasons why it is important for you to achieve this goal. By exploring this dimension, you will have a better outlook of what you are aiming, which is important when you will have to take decisions.

WHO? Find a way to become immersed personally in the problem in order to see it from a more concrete perspective. Identify people who may assist before you start to implement the solution.

WHEN? Define when you need to have the goal achieved. Make a plan with intermediary objectives.

WHERE? Describe the location where most of your activities will take place. Find out specifics about the position you will adopt to maximise your chances of success.

HOW? Depict how the challenge impact people and activities, in terms of tasks, resources, products, tools, ...

For those who are interested by the iMindMap file, it is uploaded on the Biggerplate platform and accessible on http://www.biggerplate.com/mindmaps/RHRWydzh/philippe-packu-five-wives-and-one-husband-template-3

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The time of my line

iMindMap tool from ThinkBuzan is a great opportunity offered to mind mappers (or future ones). I'm not just saying that because I'm a licensed instructor but because it's really possible to create mind maps that you will never produce with any other computer application. Indeed, this time I would like to show you how you can draw cool timelines and what to do to remember their content.

Believe me, the iMindMap tool from ThinkBuzan is a great opportunity offered to mind mappers (or future ones). I'm not just saying that because I'm a licensed instructor but because it's really possible to create mind maps that you will never produce with any other computer application. Indeed, this time I would like to show you how you can draw cool timelines and what to do to remember their content.

Imagine that you would like to remember the history of the successive FIFA world cups (soccer/football), where it happened, which team won, who was the best player. Browsing here and there on the internet, it's quite easy to collect this information. Let's consider that we have it and therefore we can build this common mind map realised with a typical mind map application available on the market:



FIFA World Cup history - neutral mind map



If the only purpose of the mind map is to deliver knowledge about the subject (which is the case for the majority of computer based mind maps), the goal is achieved. Now, how much difficult would it be to actually acquire the knowledge it contains and remember it forever? You could say that it depends on how much energy you are prepared to spend in the learning process. But you might be very disappointed if you are tested a couple of days later and suddenly all your knowledge has gone. In fact, nothing has been done in this mind map to facilitate remembering. Branches are all very similar, texts are all the same size, colours are poorly used, cliparts are all the same and therefore misleading, ... Moreover, the chronological order of events as expressed (around the clock) might not necessarily be obvious to remember for everybody.

Let's look at the mind map I imagined for you. First I invented a new type of layout for drawing timelines. It consists of using branches for events which are put along a line instead of radiating around the central idea. Later in this post, I will explain how you can create your own timeline with iMindMap 5. Second and most important, I applied several practices for better use of your "right brain" and creative thinking. You will find on the new mind map, more curves, better images, all different, more colours, different font types, formats and sizes. Here is my proposal:



FIFA World Cup history - Creative mind map



You can now do the same exercise which will help to remember the history described. By associating words with unique spatial elements of different nature, you brain will store the knowledge in such a way that the recall become easier. Indeed, in order to remember each key piece of information listed in the mind map, you can try to re-create the map in your imagination, remembering the flow, the shapes, the images, the colours used, the font layouts and finally the associated word. Because the associations are stronger here compared to the first version, there is a greater chance that you will remember the content this time, not just after a couple of hours or days but even longer. Mind map can help you to increase your knowledge and appear more cultivated in front of others. It has a price, it's call creativity.

How to build a timeline with iMindMap 5

1. Draw the line

• Insert a central idea best representing the topic for which you want to list and detail the key dates;
• Insert a branch (horizontally in my case but could be any curve) that represents your timeline;
• Add a secondary branch (small one) on which you place the arrow and conventions (“t” in my example). An easy way to achieve that step is to select the branch and insert a sketch (Sketch tool);

2. Draw branches

• Draw a first branch. Place the end point at the final distance from the time line;
• Add 3 control points (hold Shift key and click the mouse) as shown on the figure below;
• Move all the points except the last two in such a way that your branch is aligned with the timeline (imagine it should be hidden);
• Copy the newly created branch. Select the central idea and paste as many branch as you need for dates on your timeline;
• Adjust the position of each pasted branch (end point) to become your future dates on the timeline ;

3. Adjust layout

• In order to get your timeline back on top of all the other added branches you must remove it and add it again. Select the timeline and cut it. Select the central idea and paste the timeline; Adjust its location and colour to set it back to the initial shape and position;
• Eventually move some of the control points on the different branches to make all of them completely disappear behind the timeline

4. Add content

• Fill-in your timeline with the different dates and events;
• Expand each branch with sub-branches according to your needs.

This last mind map is of course an example of what you can obtain quickly as a timeline. Do not forget that you must put much more creative elements in your drawing if you want the content to be assimilated.

The mind map also benefits from a fantastic presentation mode. This time I recorded for you the 3D mode. Have a look how great is the step by step display of the content of your map, at your speed. The perfect support for a great effect on the audience. Enjoy!

For those who are interested by the iMindMap file, it is uploaded on the Biggerplate platform and accessible on http://www.biggerplate.com/mindmaps/kAK5GD25/philippe-packu-world-cup-history-or-how-to-build-a-timeline-with-imindmap-5

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Can I become a source of inspiration?

No doubts anymore for current or future users of iMindMap that a mind map software can cope with (wo)man’s creativity. Discover another nice looking mind map in the form of a tree created with iMindMap 5.

Cliquez ici pour voir la version française du billet

I’m happy to see how my last post about post-it in mind maps with iMindMap (beyond-limits-of-software) has been welcomed by the community. All of that is very new for me and this enthusiasm about my work can only boost me in doing more.

I was looking around on Biggerplate for nice mind maps. I mostly found a lot of great content about various subjects but presented with rather limited imagination. I have the impression (more than that, I’m a bit frightened) that computer based mindmapping is become so accessible and easy that mind map creators tend to forget the use of their right brain, one of the golden rules. We learned how important curves, images, dimensions, colors are essential in the creative thinking or memorisation process. If all the mind maps start to have the same 6 default colors, located at the same default position, displaying same kind of branches, using similar default central images or typical cliparts, we will quickly loose signs of imagination and creativity. The ultimate result is that more and more mind maps will appear approximately the same. This said, I don’t want to minimise the effort put into creating very interesting content in mind maps and having all of that accessible in a repository such as Biggerplate is wonderful. I’m just asking for more creativity and imagination when drawing them.

In order to remove some doubts current or future users of iMindMap might still have about the ability of the software to cope with (wo)man’s creativity, I’ve created another nice looking mind map in the form of a tree. You have already probably seen handmade mind maps with an old tree as a central image and wooden branches for developing the ideas. I just decided that it would be possible to create such a mind map with iMindMap 5. I’m proud of the the result that I’m posting here for you.



Causes and Effects of Deforestation or How to make a tree with iMindMap 5



Because I wanted to be complete in the approach, I selected a subject and quickly developed the ideas at first and second levels. It’s about the main causes and effects of deforestation. It’s just an example that illustrates the usage of the map. I invite you to take it as a template and adapt it for your own purpose. But maybe you don’t believe it’s a true iMindMap file so I also invite you to see the presentation mode in action.

I see several advantages with this kind of mind map:

• It has the look and feel of a drawing but it is a computer assisted mind map that you can adapt, edit and expand on the fly according to your need;
• It’s fresh, giving another dimension of something that could become at longer term boring, like most of freemind or mindmanager mind maps (again talking about the visual aspect, not the content);
• Because it’s quite different in the shaping, you might enjoy reading it more and need less effort to remember its content (or at least it will hit your mind more). If you look at it for a while and you close your eyes, you should be able to redraw it in your imagination and replace the content straight away;
• In the presentation mode, you will appreciate again the dynamic and originality of the flow, creating a “wow!” effect in the audience.

This kind of work is really inspiring me to go further in the domain. I have other ideas I will share with you very soon. In the meantime, if you have ideas about other out-of-the box mind maps I could try to draw, do not hesitate to post your suggestions. It will be a pleasure to sketch it.

For those who are interested by the iMindMap file, it is uploaded on the Biggerplate platform and accessible on http://www.biggerplate.com/mindmaps/rue92IJ8/philippe-packu-causes-and-effects-of-deforestation-or-how-to-to-make-a-tree-with-imindmap

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Beyond the limits of a software

An important ingredient of an outstanding mind map is its visual dimension with the use of colours and spacial elements. With the introduction of mind mapping on computers, creators of true mind maps have the feeling of being limited in their creativity. But what computer applications deliver also depends on your ability to overtake the limits, to imagine beyond what you think the software allows you to do.

Cliquez ici pour voir la version française du billet

An important ingredient of an outstanding mind map is its visual dimension with the use of colours and spacial elements. With the introduction of mindmapping  on computers, creators of true mind maps have the feeling of being limited in their creativity. They are partially right because it will take a couple of years before they will get the freedom we have with markers and paper.

On the other hand, what computer applications deliver also depends on your ability to overtake the limits, to imagine beyond what you think the software allows you to do. That’s why iMindMap is revolutionary and sets the precedent in the field. The assumption I will ask you to make is that not all your mind map images must come directly from the iMindMap environment. Indeed you have a lot of other surrounding  sources available in order to grab or build the most appropriate illustration for your ideas.

Because going out of the box is not easy, I will post mind maps created with iMindMap that I hope will inspire you to go further with the tool. If you find them interesting, I will also give you access to the resources that will allow you to reproduce similar mind maps for yourself.

Today, I propose you an alternative to the box branch (which is mainly used for multiple word ideas or statements) and use the famous post-it. We will see that the idea can be applied for floating text annotations as well. It’s essentially for creating astonishing presentations that I’m sharing this tip with you. I’m well aware that if we transform texts into images, we lose them for export or other usage.

Let’s imagine you and your team have brainstormed about changes that would help members to better communicate together. You end up with a lot of items on the flip chart and finally decide to vote and only keep the 6 most important ones. In order to create a contract, you have been assigned to re-formulate each item properly, present them to the team and print it out to have it signed by everybody. A traditional approach would be to list on a sheet of paper or a bit more innovative, to create a mindmap with 6 box branches, like here below.

6 tips for better communication - standard approach

I must admit that the second one is already more engaging than the first one. But is it really enough? We all like appealing things. If we want to remember something, it should talk to us. If we want to hang it on the wall and see it every morning, we want it to be cool. If we want to commit to it, we need to be proud of what we sign. So, the final output must be different and could be something like the one below.

6 tips for better communication - Engaging presentation

I hope you find this version much more attractive and you would sign a high resolution color printing of this map. It has been created with iMindMap 5, by exploiting the power of image attachments. In presentation mode, here is what you get:

I promised to give you the resources and the explanation that would allow you to include post-it in your mind maps. First, I would like to guarantee that all the images that I’m sharing with you here have been created by myself and I give you the authorisation to copy them for your own usage without any risk of copywriting pursuit.  Here are the post-it high resolution images..



Post-it / Yellow

Post-it / Pink

Post-it / Green

Here are the steps to get a post-it on your branch.

1. Open another application on your computer that would allow to write text on a picture. The easiest is to use Microsoft Powerpoint if you have MsOffice installed or a design tool of your choice; 
2. Import (or copy and paste) the post-it picture I created for you; 
3. Add a text box on top of it and write your text using the “Freestyle Script” font. I selected that one because it is representative of a hand writing which make more sense on a post-it. You can choose the font you like of course; 
4. Select both the post-it and the text box and copy the whole thing into the clipboard; 
5. Go to iMindMap, select your branch and paste the picture. You can resize, move and rotate the post-it picture according to your needs.

As mentioned earlier, you can also use the post-it to write and place a floating text annotation on your mind map. If you don’t want to link the post-it to a branch, paste your picture on the background (no branch selected). A new central idea will be created (iMindMap supports multi-maps) that you will be able to move and resize (rotation is not supported in this case). I recommend that you turn off Smart Layout (Format menu) if you want to place the post-it concurrently with your initial mindmap.

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