Embracing White-boarding: My Shift from Mind Mapping for Projects
Written on
Chapter 1: The Shift from Mind Mapping to White-boarding
I encountered a challenge with my previous mind mapping tool, iThoughts, which led me to explore a whiteboarding application called Prodrafts. This change has significantly advanced my book project.
Curiosity sparked when Apple unveiled its whiteboarding app, Freeform, during the WWDC in June 2022. While many were puzzled by the introduction, I found myself intrigued. With existing options like Microsoft Whiteboard already available, I questioned Apple's intent. Nevertheless, I discovered Prodrafts, which boasted an impressive rating of 4.9 and a minimal one-time fee. I decided to give it a try.
Within minutes, I was captivated. Previously, I relied on mind mapping tools, including iThoughts, and even penned an enthusiastic review about them. However, I found these tools often hindered my creativity. Mind mapping applications impose certain limitations on how to structure your thoughts. You must consider how the app will arrange your map, and the typical method of entering information is through typing. Personally, I enjoy sketching and jotting down ideas as I plan.
Prodrafts allows for freehand drawing and writing, accommodating any style you prefer. While this feature isn't exclusive to Prodrafts, it also provides necessary tools to manage the expanding complexity of your whiteboard.
In this discussion, I will outline the benefits of whiteboard applications compared to mind mapping tools and illustrate how I used one to craft this article. Additionally, I will share how I am utilizing a whiteboard to embark on my venture into fantasy fiction—a long-standing aspiration that is finally taking shape. Of course, I will also address the limitations of whiteboarding.
As always, I have no affiliations with any developers.
Section 1.1: The Limitations of Mind Mapping Applications
What are the drawbacks of mind mapping software? (Note: I am referring to apps in general.)
Initially, these applications impose certain constraints on how you build your mind map. This is essential for the app to manage new nodes and maintain the overall structure. The better applications, like iThoughts, offer various layout options to navigate this issue:
While having multiple layouts can be beneficial, it often complicates the process. Can you accurately predict how your mind map will appear based on those layout names? I certainly can’t.
Typically, I choose the layout that seems most fitting, then dump my ideas. Unfortunately, I often forget what my previous mind maps looked like. As I delve deeper into the project, nodes rarely end up where I intended, prompting me to experiment with different layouts. It seldom feels right, and the abundance of layout options indicates that developers recognize this issue.
Assuming I finally select a layout I can tolerate, I usually need to start typing. While some prefer this method, it tends to slow me down when trying to visualize an entire project.
Research shows that writing by hand can enhance the creative process. However, the real hindrance arises from my inability to freely jot down thoughts in the spaces between nodes and branches. While apps like iThoughts allow the addition of comment notes, they complicate usage and require me to remember how to implement them.
None of these aspects are catastrophic, but they create friction that stifles creativity. When inspiration strikes, I want to capture ideas swiftly without obstacles.
Section 1.2: The Advantages of Whiteboard Applications
When I initially began crafting this article, I referred to whiteboard apps as infinite canvas tools. You might notice this terminology in my whiteboard for this piece.
The fundamental advantage of a whiteboard app is the concept of an infinite canvas, allowing for greater flexibility than traditional mind mapping software. Unlike mind mapping tools, a whiteboard app permits you to utilize any area of the canvas without restrictions.
You can design any layout for a mind map or create multiple layouts as you see fit. Want to incorporate a flowchart? Go ahead. Scribble wherever you feel comfortable to keep your creativity flowing. You can always tidy it up later. It truly resembles having a massive whiteboard at your disposal.
Some may find the lack of structure daunting, but this freedom is precisely what is beneficial in the early stages of the creative process. Organization can come later when drafting outlines and more structured documents.
Not all aspects are perfect, but I will revisit that soon.
Chapter 2: Essential Features of a Whiteboard Application
A whiteboard app should include a few must-have features:
- An infinite canvas that allows seamless drawing or writing.
- Intuitive zooming capabilities, ensuring clarity and definition are maintained.
- A bookmarking or pin system to quickly locate important points, as the canvas can expand rapidly.
- Options to export sections or the entire canvas as a PDF or image.
- A method for typing text.
Additionally, desirable features may include:
- Comprehensive document management, including folders, tags, and version control.
- The ability to add media and link to documents, creating a centralized workspace for your project.
- Support for adding stickers, including custom designs, for easier navigation.
- A search functionality for the canvas content and embedded documents.
- Collaboration features, which may be essential for some users, though useful work can still be accomplished without them.
Nice-to-have features could include:
- OCR for recognizing text and objects, preventing images from becoming data voids.
- Widgets such as timers and calculators, which might be useful for some, though I have yet to utilize them.
Section 2.1: Exploring Whiteboard Options
This is not an exhaustive review of whiteboard applications, but here are some options I considered after rediscovering whiteboarding:
Prodrafts (iPad/iPhone only)
The app that introduced me to the exciting world of whiteboarding!
- Pros: One-time, reasonable purchase price, focused design with minimal distractions, excellent navigation using pins, and smooth functionality for zooming, writing, and scrolling.
- Cons: Collaboration features are not present, though I currently do not require them.
Microsoft Whiteboard (multi-platform)
A solid contender, but I wasn’t ready for it when I first tried.
- Pros: Appears to offer a decent infinite canvas, allows the addition of notes and shapes, free to use across multiple platforms.
- Cons: Lacks a navigation system comparable to Prodrafts' pin feature, and it ties you into the Microsoft ecosystem.
Note-taking apps with infinite canvas options:
- Microsoft OneNote: Free and cross-platform.
- Nebu: Free and exclusive to iPad/iPhone.
- Pros: All options provide an infinite canvas and strong note-taking capabilities.
- Cons: They do not primarily focus on being a whiteboarding app.
Chapter 3: Utilizing Prodrafts for My Book Project
Here’s a glimpse of the whiteboard I created for this article:
Notice the pins on the whiteboard, which allow for easy navigation even when zoomed in. The app employs standard iPadOS pen tools, enabling you to write, highlight, and select elements on the canvas. A ruler is included for precise alignment of your writing. The right panel shows what you can embed, including calculators and timers—though I have not yet used them.
Creating a mind map is straightforward; you simply start drawing and writing. You can zoom in and out to find new spaces for your ideas. As I go, I mark key locations, which turns my pin menu into an outline for the whiteboard.
When I’m prepared to draft a document, I take a screenshot of the pin menu and embed it on the whiteboard. This lets me cross-reference it to form a document outline, which, though a bit of a hack, is effective.
What happens when the whiteboard expands and you need to add a new section? Zoom out and draw a line into open space. Create a pin to help you locate it later.
I can add even more to the whiteboard, such as stickers and forms. So far, I've only included links to websites to keep things minimal.
Section 3.1: The Book Project
After years of hesitation, I've finally gathered enough inspiration to start writing fiction. True to my interests, it will involve a series of fantasy stories that may eventually become a book or series.
While I don’t expect to sell millions of copies, this endeavor is purely for enjoyment. The stories will be loosely inspired by the world of Skyrim, and I’m using the game on my iMac to explore ideas.
Here’s the current state of my whiteboard:
Despite its substantial size, I find the pin navigation system invaluable for working on my 11" iPad Pro.
Section 3.2: Challenges with the Whiteboard Approach
Maintaining an organized pin navigation system is crucial, or else you risk losing track of vital elements. Discipline is necessary.
The very strength of the whiteboard can also be a drawback; the absence of enforced structure may lead to a cluttered workspace. Furthermore, exporting data like OPML to an outlining tool isn’t feasible. However, you can use the whiteboard as a reference and export PDFs of your work.
Takeaways
The sense of liberation combined with a reliable pin navigation system drew me into the realm of whiteboarding. As I advance in my quest to create long-form fiction, I'm uncovering new techniques and avenues for research. It’s comforting to know there’s always a space on the whiteboard for my ideas.
Will this be the only tool I use? No. This is merely the initial phase of a creative process that will ultimately yield a more organized and structured outcome, like an outline. The whiteboard serves as my creative haven, where I can assess the big picture and determine the next steps.
Chapter 4: Enhancing Creativity with Video Resources
To delve deeper into mind mapping and whiteboarding strategies, consider watching these informative videos:
The first video, "Mind Mapping | Teaching Strategies #3," provides valuable insights into effective mind mapping techniques.
The second video, "Plan Projects and Brainstorm with Mind Maps in Miro | UX Design," explores project planning and brainstorming using mind maps within the Miro platform.