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35 Building and site research e briefi ng e client Mind maps are diagrams that are used to visually represent ideas and associations surrounding a central thought or problem. ere is no formal method for organising the map, instead it grows organically and allows the designer to arrange and link the information in any way that feels right, though the diff erent points are naturally organised into groups or areas. Pictures, doodles and colour are as much a part of a mind map as are words; imagery helps to reinforce ideas and the visual pa ern created is easier for the brain to process and contemplate than a simple list, encouraging subconscious processing of the information at some later point. Once you are satisfi ed that you have extracted as much information from the brief as you can, you will have a secure foundation upon which to build your project research, which is detailed in the following sections. It 's easy to imagine that 'analysis' means an intellectual and academic dissection of the data from the brief. is is a factor of most analyses, but it can be a visual exercise as well as a literary one. You are, a er all, going to be exploring the aesthetic side of the brief in addition to the practical, and working visually with media such as collage, sketching and photography will help you form links and develop aesthetic ideas in a free and potentially unrestricted way. is style of working is a fast and effi cient way for a creative mind to access new ideas as they emerge from the brief, and it connects well with the building and site research that will be looked at later. Ultimately, if you are to produce an eff ective analysis, you should feel able to work in any way or medium that makes you feel comfortable. is is a skill that may need practice, but it is also a rewarding one that pays dividends. Two well recognised techniques that can help in the process of analysis and evaluation are brainstorming and mind- mapping. Brainstorming is an activity designed to generate a large number of ideas, and is usually undertaken as a group activity, but there is no reason why the principles should not be applied to solo sessions. Four basic rules underpin the process: Quantity of ideas is important; more ideas equate to – a greater chance of fi nding an eff ective solution. Ideas are not criticised, at least not in the early stages – of the exercise – that can come later when all the ideas have been generated. Ideas that might have some drawbacks could be built on to produce stronger ideas. Unusual, off -beat ideas are encouraged. ey may suggest – radical new ways of solving a problem. Ideas can be combined to produce be er solutions. – Analysing information Design analysis