Understand What a Bubble Map Is & How to Use It

A bubble map can help you understand complex concepts that can be difficult to understand with other methods. It’s a visualization technique used in a variety of industries including healthcare, real estate, and education. 

If you’re new to bubble maps or want to know how to use them effectively, this guide is for you. You’ll find everything you need to know about bubble maps. Let’s get started. 

Table of Contents

What Is a Bubble Map?

What Is a Bubble Map Used for?

Benefits of Using a Bubble Map

3 Best Bubble Map Makers

How to Make a Bubble Map with MioCreate? Detailed Steps

A bubble map is an illustration in the form of a map representing information on a topic. It’s used to display information in an interconnected manner. 

The main keyword is usually in the middle represented by the biggest bubble. Whereas, other relevant information is presented in smaller bubbles that surround it. The smaller, or sub-bubbles are connected with the central bubble (The main idea) with arrows or lines. Note that these branches can be further broken down into smaller bubbles to visualize more detailed information. 

Generally, the purpose of a bubble map is to represent a topic in a visual form. But, it can also be used in other ways. 

Concept Bubble Map

A concept bubble map, as the name suggests, helps you explain a concept in the form of a map. It’s the simplest and most commonly used type of bubble map. In a concept bubble map, each smaller bubble is conceptually connected with the main central bubble.

Compare and Contrast Bubble Map (Double Map)

Another powerful way bubble maps are used is by comparing and contrasting two different concepts or topics. It’s the perfect type of bubble map when you need to draw a comparison instead of explaining an individual concept. 

Used for Science in School 

One of the most common uses of a bubble map is in schools, where teachers explain scientific concepts in an easy-to-comprehend way. 

Used to Help Understand Roles

Bubble maps aren’t only used for scientific explanations. They’re also pretty handy in professional settings. Organizations use bubble maps to assign duties and roles to their employees. For instance, it could be used to display the responsibilities of an assistant manager. This is especially helpful when a company hires a new employee as they’re better able to understand their role. 

Used in Fiction 

Another use of a bubble map is in the fiction industry, where you can list the attributes of a character and represent them visually. 

These were a few common uses of bubble maps. The powerful concept can be applied in other ways; your creativity would be the only limit. 

Bubble maps can help in a variety of ways. 

It’s Flexible for Better Brainstorming

Unlike other brainstorming techniques, bubble maps let you think about a topic in a non-linear way. A bubble map accommodates a lot of relevant information and lets you create connections between different ideas. 

It’s Concise and Clear at a Glance

A well-designed bubble map is concise and clear. By organizing ideas in a visual form, you can get a better idea of the relationships between different concepts. 

It Can Improve Your Logical Thinking and Writing Skills

Believe it or not, using bubble maps can even improve your logical thinking and writing skills. This is because when viewing a map, you see the connections between different ideas in a visual format. Visuals are easier to understand, helping you draw logical conclusions from the bubble map. 

In addition, since a bubble map helps you understand the topic or comparison better, you can write better as well. 

It Can Help Divergent Thinking

Divergent thinking is the ability to create multiple ideas or solutions for a particular problem. Bubble maps improve divergent thinking because they help you explore more ideas related to the main concept. 

#1. Miocreate 

Miocreate is a beginner-friendly bubble map creator. You can use Miocreate to draw bubble maps with zero drawing or designing experience. 

Here are the features of Miocreate that can help you do that:

#2. EdrawMax

EdrawMax is another powerful online diagramming tool that can help you create bubble maps. It comes with all the features you’d need to draw these bubbles and collaborate on them with your team. The tool lets you create everything from flowcharts to Venn diagrams to bubble maps. Lastly, EdrawMax lets you collaborate with your team on the same page in real-time. 

#3. Lucidchart

Lucidchart aims to help organizations collaborate and work in teams. The diagram tool makes it easy for teams to communicate complex ideas with diagrams. Importantly, you can create bubble maps using Lucidchart’s easy-to-use features. After creating your bubble map, you can collaborate with your team in real-time. 

There are two ways to create a bubble map on MioCreate. Let’s check them out:

Way 1: Use a Bubble map template (most recommended)

Pre-designed templates can significantly speed up the designing process. Miocreate comes with ready-made templates you can use to jump-start the bubble map creation process. 

Step 1: The first step is to sign up to Miocreate and pick a suitable pre-built template. 

Step 2: After selecting a template, add your content to every bubble. 

Step 3: Once you’re done editing it, share the bubble map with your team. You can also invite them to edit or comment 

Way 2: Create a bubble map by yourself

If you don’t want to use a template, create a bubble map manually. That way, you get more control over how it’s going to look. The good thing is all you need are shapes and lines. 

Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Use shape tools to create individual bubbles wherever you want. 

Step 2: Connect the bubbles with lines. 

Step 3: Fill in the bubbles with the content. 

Step 4: Share your bubble map with your team and invite them to comment and/or edit.

Conclusion

Bubble maps are an incredible tool for data visualization. They’re used in a variety of industries in a variety of ways. The most common use of a bubble map is to explain complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. 

For instance, teachers use it to help students learn scientific concepts. Another example of bubble map usage would be an organization using it to help new employees understand their duties easily. Miocreate can help you create effective bubble maps easily and quickly. The best part is you can get started right away with a free account. 

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