Rough+Concept+Maps

When I was thinking about what I wanted the visual design to be for my concept map, I began by roughly drawing out quick colored sketches. Here are some of my initial ideas. toc

=Approach 1:= -This was my first concept I came up with. I drew the outline of a radio and drew in the speakers and made these my main topics to focus on. I thought this was interesting because the viewer gets an immediate understanding of what my topic is. This approach is simple and easy to follow.

=Approach 2:= -I thought having the word 'radio' emphasized with colored key words such as Low-Cost, Technology Set and Societal Change was an interesting way to approach my concept map. The overlapping lines are supposed to mimic the inside wires of a radio.

=Approach 3:= -I thought of making my concept map look like an actual map. I was inspired by 'The London Underground' map, so I thought it would be interesting to display my information in that type of format. However, I found it quite difficult because I had too many lines which all connected in different areas. I felt this would have been confusing for the viewer to understand.

=Approach 4:= -This was an approach that was quickly done. I was experimenting with overlapping lines and how my four main topics all interact and relate back to each other. However, the visual layout and design was not well done so I skipped this idea.

=Approach 5:= -I tried a different approach illustrating a speaker which signifies how a radio produces sound. I have the main topic (radio) in the centre and from here it branches off into four main areas. I then broke down my main topics by the use of lines and I demonstrate how each topic relates to one another. I thought this was an interesting way to approach my concept map and I would have liked to explore this more.

=Approach 6:= -This drawing eventually became my final concept map. I tried to illustrate that the radio is essentially audio programming and is a key form of communication. I was trying to break down the radio into different areas by emphasizing key words such as Technology, Low-Cost, Audio Programming etc. -The use of the connecting lines relates to the inside wiring of a radio. I also considered putting a radio diagram which would help the viewer understand what makes up a radio.

=Approach 7:= -This approach is color coded showing the different topics I will explore. Each topic relates back to the radio. I liked this idea but I felt I was using too much color and this would be difficult for the viewer to understand and look at. I like the use of colors but I think I should try to emphasize specific key words in a different manner.