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25ac53 lisa 2026-05-25 22:07:24
SD C04: add Brainstorming, Mind Mapping, Design Sketches how-to pages; link from checkpoint Completes the four C4-1 ideation-tool guides. StudyStreak through-line throughout; Brainstorming/Mind Mapping right-sized (familiar), Design Sketches fuller with an annotated low-fi wireframe modelling the identify/explain/justify ladder. Mind map uses a verified mermaid flowchart. All four now linked from the checkpoint design-pack table. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
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# Mind Mapping
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The Hamilton and Alexandra College · Year 12 · 2026
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Mind mapping is one of the four ideation tools in your [C4-1 design pack](/sd/C04/C4-1%20Checkpoint%20-%20Design%20Pack). If brainstorming is letting ideas fly, **mind mapping is where you give them shape** — take your messy brainstorm and organise it around your project.
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---
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## What it is, and why
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A mind map starts with your **project at the centre** and branches outward into related areas. It helps you:
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- **Structure and group** loose ideas
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- **Spot patterns and connections** between features
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- See the **big picture** of your solution at a glance
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It's the natural step *after* a brainstorm: the brainstorm gives you the raw ideas, the mind map sorts them.
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---
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## How to build one
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1. Put your **project name in the centre**.
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2. Add **4–6 main branches** — common ones: *Users · Key features · Visual style · Technology · Wellbeing/Goals · Problems to solve*.
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3. Add **sub-branches** that expand each one.
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4. Use colour or grouping if it helps you think.
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Use Excalidraw in Obsidian (see IT to install), or paper and markers.
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---
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## StudyStreak example
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```mermaid
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flowchart LR
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C(("StudyStreak"))
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C --- U["Users"]
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C --- F["Features"]
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C --- V["Visual style"]
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C --- W["Wellbeing"]
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C --- T["Technology"]
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U --- U1["senior students"]
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U --- U2["busy · easily stressed"]
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F --- F1["one-tap log a session"]
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F --- F2["streak + growing plant"]
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F --- F3["weekly wind-down summary"]
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V --- V1["calm palette"]
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V --- V2["rounded cards · whitespace"]
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W --- W1["break reminders"]
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W --- W2["protect downtime"]
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T --- T1["phone app"]
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T --- T2["data stored on device"]
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```
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See how the **Features** and **Wellbeing** branches grew straight out of the brainstorm themes? That's the mind map doing its job — turning a list into a structure.
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---
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## Your turn
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1. Project name in the centre.
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2. Add your 4–6 main branches.
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3. Expand each with sub-branches — pull the strongest ideas from your brainstorm.
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4. Look for connections you hadn't noticed.
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Commit your mind map to GitHub and add it to your printed design pack.
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---
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## Check Your Understanding
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1. What goes in the **centre** of a mind map?
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>| ### Answer
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>| Your project (the software solution). Everything branches out from there.
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2. How does a mind map relate to your brainstorm?
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>| ### Answer
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>| It's the next step — it takes the loose brainstorm ideas and gives them structure, grouping them under main branches.
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3. Name three main branches you might use.
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>| ### Answer
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>| Any of: Users, Key features, Visual style, Technology, Wellbeing/Goals, Problems to solve.
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---
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## See also
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- [Brainstorming](/sd/C04/Brainstorming) — the step before this one
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- [Design Sketches](/sd/C04/Design%20Sketches) — turn your mapped features into screen layouts
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- [Mood Boards](/sd/C04/Mood%20Boards) · [C4-1 Checkpoint — Your Design Pack](/sd/C04/C4-1%20Checkpoint%20-%20Design%20Pack)
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---
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