Concept Map

At first I had trouble thinking of a topic for the main focus of my concept map. I thought of some ideas, but they didn't seem big enough to really develop. I started thinking about school related topics, making a concept map about a concept map, and other general stuff that seemed pointless to me. I put my sketchbook aside and started to study for a test when (AHA!) I came up with my topic. The test I have tomorrow has so much information, so I decided to organize my notes into a concept map I can use as a study guide.

My test in the History of Graphic Design is covering a lot of info, which would result in a map with infinite branches. Because of this, I decided to focus on the specific topic of Renaissance Design. I broke down this narrowed topic into two branches, Visual and Print. From there everything fell into place, and as I studied, I added to the map. I kept breaking everything down and became more specific. Because I was only using one or two words, it simplified everything and made the content easier to understand than my notes.

Its hard for me to position the different boxes on a map when I first start since I never know how far something will branch out or if I'll have enough room. I don't know why, but I have a problem with just drawing in pen or drawing a whole section of a map if I don't know what it will look like. I jotted everything down in my sketchbook as I studied and referred to it as I created my final map. This one was color coded to further organize it. The red boxes are the two main branches off of the central topic, the yellow are the main subtopics, green are the details, and the boxes left white are even smaller details. Colors made it less confusing and allowed me to determine importance.

In the end it was really interesting to see how different things connected and affected each other, which really helped me study and understand. I have a lot more studying to do but this map helped me to fully grasp this topic for the test, so I definitely think its a great study tool in the future.

Mind Maps

BACKGROUND: Thinking about all the requirements it takes to graduate is overwhelming to me, especially since I am still undeclared. There are so many courses and other factors required to get a degree, so organizing things into categories really helped me figure out what I have to do to stay on track.

MAP 1: The subject of the first mind map was about the requirements needed to graduate from Roger Williams University. The radiants included general requirements, like having a major, a minor, completing the core classes, and doing community service, but I further broke down those branches into areas that were specific to me. I have multiple branches for majors and minors because I still have yet to declare anything, but it felt better to have my top interests narrowed down and drawn out in front of me. This mind map took me the longest because I was so focused on keeping it organized. I wanted to use marker to make everything colorful and really stand out, but it made some of the smaller branches hard to read.

MAP 2: The next day, I changed my central topic to create a second mind map, making it more about the specific major requirements instead of general university requirements. I chose to map out what it takes to get a degree for the Graphic Design major at RWU since it is my top choice. Drawing everything out helped me wrap my head around the process leading to the declaration of this major as well as the process ultimately leading to a BA after 4 years. For this map I used a thinner marker and colored pencils, which turned out well. I tried to improve the legibility of this map since the first seems like a mess of sharpie.

CONCLUSION: I feel less overwhelmed now that I have an organized visual to refer. The first map helped me figure out what I have done so far, and what courses I still need to meet graduation requirements. The second map really allowed me to see what steps I need to take before I declare graphic design as a major, and what I need to continue to do as a graphic design student. Mind mapping these topics was a great way to classify ideas that have so many elements. An ordinary list seems like information that is hard to process, but drawing everything out helped me see the bigger picture.