Photo by brycej

Sometimes to get that idea across to the client (or vise versa) you need more then just notes, briefs, or even mockups. You need something visual but comprehensive as well. This is where mindmaps shine. A mindmap is basically a diagram that communicates notes, ideas, graphics, elements, lists (and more) in a visual and organized way.

As a web design freelancer myself, sometimes I feel lost in the documents, e-mails, and notes a client sends across. They seem so messy and all over the place and I find it hard to keep them structured. Sure, I could compile them all in one long document but that doesn’t seem organized enough. So for projects like these I fire up my web-based mindmap application and then compile all the information the client has sent across into something visually structured. I then send it across the mindmap to my client to make sure we are both 100% on the same page. Nothing else accomplishes this task as comprehensive as a mindmap! So today we will look at how we can create a mind map for an example Web Design project.

Keep in mind this information can travel into other freelance areas such as writing, coding, graphic designing and so on!

Choose Your Application

Instead of going through the list of desktop applications and web-based applications together, I’m going to give you two of my favorite options which are both web-based:

MindMeister

MindMeister is the more popular web based choice. It is visually pleasing with great collaborative features for you and your client to edit and share your mindmap. It’s options might be overwealming for those unfamiliar with mindmaps but rest assured, the process is still simple once you getting over this hump. It offers a free membership but you are limited in number of mindmaps you can create and store.

WisdomMap

(Update: Looks like this site is MIA)

WisdomMap is a newcomer in this arena. It is a very simplified way of creating a MindMap. If MindMeister seems too much for you, try WisdomMap!

For this how-to we are going to use MindMeister.

Central Idea

Each MindMap starts out with a central idea. This is the center point in which all other elements will revolve around. For a web design project, you can simply name this central idea the title of the project or client.

Here is the outcome:

Top Nodes / Ideas

After you’ve created your central idea/project name you can begin adding ideas or “nodes” to your mindmap. You can also create sub-ideas and sub-nodes. For the main nodes I usually start out with:

• Header
• Main Index
• Sidebar
• Footer
• Sub Pages

Here is the outcome:

Sub Nodes / Ideas

Sub nodes or Sub ideas can be attached to the main nodes listed above. From here you can add each element to that part of the design. You can also split them once again into sub-lists to enter in the functionality of each element. This is the power of the mindmap. It allows you to make sure you and your client are 100% clear on the design. The time it takes to re-do your design because of confusion is far more time consuming than the time it takes to create a mindmap!

Here is an example of nodes and sub nodes for a design project:

Collaborate!

The best part about mindmaps is that you can collaborate with your clients to edit the information stored on there. This helps you and your client come together and create exactly what your client had in mind. Invite the client or each member of the clients company into your mind map and let them edit, adjust, and reform some of the ideas. You will never be left in the dark again when it comes to your clients projects.

Other Ideas…

Attachments / Graphics

Did you know you can also add graphics and other files to mindmaps? You can upload snipplets of your design related to the idea node as reference or review for your clients.

Illustrate much?

If you’re good with pen and paper (which I’m not!) you can also create some of the most beautiful looking diagrams with mindmaps on a basic piece of paper. Carry a grid moleskine or other notebook with you and keep your mindmaps in your pocket!

Personal Organization

Instead of using mindmaps for your clients only… use them to keep yourself organized. I’ve used mindmaps to map out not only my own projects (this website being one of them!) but also full business plans and roadmaps!