Hand Drawing Vs. Using Software Mind Mapping
- Differences between hand drawing and using software for mind mapping.
- In term of tools, speed, flexibility, cost, ease and quality.
- Get ideas to determine which method is right for you.
Before mind mapping software exists, hand drawing is only available solution for you to create mind map. There are some arguments about differences between two methods. Some people prefer hand drawn map and said that it is easy to draw, flexible in style and cost less. Some other people said creating mind map with software is faster, more professional and great looking. In this page I will help you to distinguish the differences between hand drawing and using software for mind mapping. And which one is right for you.
(Note: In above picture, I used XMind free version to draw mind map on right side.)
Hand Drawing Vs Using Software Mind Mapping Fundamental Difference Table
Some fundamental difference:
| Vs. Aspects | Using Software | Hand Drawing |
| Tools: | Computer, mind mapping software or web based mind mapping tool. | Pen and Paper |
| Speed: | In term of speed, using mind map tool is much faster because there is no drawing skill required and many graphics like icons, clip art and image are already created and available for use.
One more thing is that you can new map from mind mapping templates or your existing mind map. |
Even skillful artist, creating good looking mind map will take some time even hours because new map is need to create from blank paper and cannot make from exiting map. |
| Flexible: | The software provides you flexible in rearrange topics, edit errors, changing style and structure as well as decoration until you get what you want.
The map can be exported into various file formats include image, PowerPoint, HTML and more. Most mind map program allows you design map simultaneously with your team. |
Hand drawing is less flexible in editing mistake, but it is flexible in the way you style your map. |
| Style: | There are limited numbers of styles but there are still many of styles you can found in software.
One good thing regarding to style is that you can change from one to another just with few click. |
The style seem to be endless, you can create any map style as you can think of. There is just no limitation for style.
How many styles you can create is the number of styles available. |
| Cost: | It will cost you nothing for free mind mapping program but it may cause you from several to hundred dollars for professional mind mapping software.
One more requirement is a computer to run software. |
Pen and Paper is main cost for creating mind map by hand drawing. It only costs you few dollars for that. It seems to be cost less comparing to purchasing professional mind mapping tool.
But if you think about value of time you spend in drawing, it is a bit hard to compare the cost. |
| Quality: | Mind map created by software look more professional and beautiful because images, icons and clip arts are designed by professional and available for you to add into the map.
The map is store in your computer; its quality is still the same for long time. |
Hand drawn map may not look so professional, especially if you are not skillful artist. As it is drawn in paper using pen, it can lose the quality easily. |
Which One I Should choose Hand Drawing or Using Software for Mind Mapping?
After defining the differences, I think you got some ideas and can find out which one is right for you. If you are still not clear, one best way to find out is trying both methods. As people have different resources available, time, skill and preferences, there is no absolute answer for everyone. For me, in term of speed, quality, flexible and ease, I have to admit using mind mapping software is better solution for creating mind map.
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