Idea Map

       We watched a slide show of idea mapping. It is not a newly way to develop ideas. People have done to develop critical thinking and some scientists have applied this strategies to discover possibilities. "Sometimes, the old way works the best, huh?" Using a map to represent ideas is helpful because people can visualize their ideas and see a clear relation between each element. 
       Idea is the first stage of creativity. Designers have to find a "focus." Once the focus is determined, let it grows like a plant. Whatever thoughts and ideas are derived from the focus, they are interacting with each other. Then, designers should try to see a clear relation between the focus and its components so that a solution can be found. Because the "components" are like  little pieces, it is designer's job to put them together.
       Idea map can go infinite as designers can put in as many thoughts as possible; therefore, creativity has infinite potential to go beyond its "boundary." The "boundary" often means "stucked." A focus does not only stretch out one branch but many other different branches. They are "possibilities." The possibilities have possibilities. If the focus here is "idea map," I can develop many ideas such as using idea map in crime analysis, political campaign strategies, consumption habits, and etc... Then, I can pick one of them to start develop more possibilities within that single subject.
      Idea map is useful for designers because it can be used to solve problems. It's like mathematic, designers need to set "problem" as focus then start discovering ideas to solve the problem.