Interactive Concept Map

After completing the readings for this module, I am still building on my knowledge of the importance of the beginning stages of the design process. In my last blog posting, I wrote about concept mapping and its significance in the design process. Concept mapping is a useful tool for a designer to begin to organize and group their ideas into related and relevant categories. Not only does this allow the designer to generate more ideas, it allows them to visually see their design categories and options. 

After having a concept map drawn out and ideas displayed visually, the tools from this module’s readings come into play in regard to where and how to integrate interactivity with a user. Interactivity is an important tool with any type of information design as it keeps the user interested in the content. A concept map allows interactivity right from the start for both the user and designer. In order to make the content more interactive for a user, live links could be made from each concept’s “idea” that allow the user to view new pages of information. The map essentially could be turned into all live links, essentially allowing the user to browse different groups and information.

For example, I’ve built a simple concept map about social media. With links to different websites, videos, and tutorials, a user can learn more about each social networking tool through the map.

Concept Mapping

The use of a concept map is an important tool for any designer in the beginning of their design process. A concept map, or diagram, is essentially the brain storming process for a designer. By visually connecting related concepts to each other on a map, a designer can start to get a better sense of direction for their design. Whether it be for a company proposal or a website interface layout, using concept mapping allows the designer to more easily see the visual connections and possible problems or flaws in their design. Concept mapping can essentially be thought of the skeleton of a design; as the ideas grow and connect, the map allows the ideas to group together in an organized way in which the designer can continue to build upon.

 

"A concept map is a way of representing relationships between ideas, images, or words in the same way that a sentence diagram represents the grammar of a sentence, a road map represents the locations of highways and towns, and a circuit diagram represents the workings of an electrical appliance. In a concept map, each word or phrase is connected to another and linked back to the original idea, word or phrase. Concept maps are a way to develop logical thinking and study skills by revealing connections and helping students see how individual ideas form a larger whole."

"Concept maps were developed to enhance meaningful learning in the sciences. A well-made concept map grows within a context frame defined by an explicit "focus question", while a mind map often has only branches radiating out from a central picture. There is research evidence that knowledge is stored in the brain in the form of productions (situation-response conditionals) that act on declarative memory content which is also referred to as chunks or propositions.^[3][4] Because concept maps are constructed to reflect organization of the declarative memory system, they facilitate sense-making and meaningful learning on the part of individuals who make concept maps and those who use them. Concept maps are used to stimulate the generation of ideas, and are believed to aid creativity. For example, concept mapping is sometimes used for brain-storming. Although they are often personalized and idiosyncratic, concept maps can be used to communicate complex ideas."