Mind-mapping in design culture: A tool for ideation in graphic design education.

This study focuses on mind-maps as an aspect of design culture – the conventions and practices adopted by a community of designers. The research aims to work towards establishing the effectiveness of mind-maps as a tool for ideation. It questions the extent to which mind-maps enable students to break away from the cultural frames evoked by design briefs in order for creative cross-space associations to occur. By comparing mind-map-like diagrams produced by nine undergraduate students with codes emerging from the analysis of the corresponding briefs, the study seeks to answer the question: What levels of cross-space mapping are evident in the knowledge representation diagrams produced as part of an undergraduate graphic design, practice-based project? The study found 301 cases of internal linking, as opposed to 23 instances of cross-space mapping, however it concludes that there is value in knowledge representation diagrams for ideation and makes recommendations for their use.