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How to!

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How To Map

1. Turn a large A4 (11.7" x 8.3") or preferably A3 (16.7" x 11.7"), white sheet of paper on it's side (landscape), or use a Mind Map pad.
   
   
2. Gather a selection of coloured pens, ranging from fine nib to medium and highlighters.
   
   
3. Select the topic, problem or subject to be Mapped.
   
   
4. Gather any materials or research or additional information.
   
   
5. Start in the centre with an unframed image – approximately 6cm high and wide for an A4 and 10cm for an A3.
   
   
6. Use dimension, expression and at least three colours in the central image in order to attract attention and aid memory.
   
   
7. Make the branches closest to the centre thicker, attached to the image and ‘wavy’ (organic). Place the Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs) or the 'chapter heading' equivalents on the branches.
   
   
8. Branch thinner lines off the end of the appropriate BOIs to hold supporting data (most important closest).
   
   
9. Use images wherever possible.
   
   
10. The image or word should always sit on a line of the same length.
    
    
11. Use colours as your own special code to show people, topics, themes or dates and to make the Map more visually powerful.
    
    
12. Capture all ideas (your own or others’), then edit, re-organise, make more beautiful, elaborate or clarify as a second stage of thinking.

Guide lines

These are the brain-reflecting foundation structures of a Map.
The more of them you follow, the more effective your Map will be.

1. Start in the centre with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colours.
   
   
2. Use images, symbols, codes and dimensions throughout your Map.
   
   
3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
   
   
4. Each word word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
   
   
5. The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
   
   
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
   
   
7. Use colours – your own code – throughout the Map.
   
   
8. Develop your own personal style of Mapping.
   
   
9. Use emphasis and show associations in your Map.
   
   
10. Keep the Map clear by using Radiant hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.