Build Creative Mind Map Diagrams in PowerPoint

Mind Maps are visualization methods. Mind map diagrams are designed to help you develop creative ideas. By using a Mind Map instead of a list, table, or basic-looking SmartArt you can create a visually engaging, interesting slide.

Having an atypical mindmap illustration will help you keep the interest of your audience. It can also make them more likely to understand and learn the concepts you’re presenting. Some concepts are easier to understand with non-linear presentation methods.

TL;DR quick summary for busy people — How to make a mind map in PowerPoint (4 steps): (1) Create rectangles for the branches and place them around the slide edges. (2) Add a circle in the centre for your core idea, with smaller circles on each branch. (3) Recolor to match your brand and topic. (4) Connect the nodes with elbow-connector lines and add an icon to each branch. Prefer a ready-made version? Use an editable mind map template and skip the manual build.

Don’t have time to create your own Mind Maps or want more graphical variety? Check out our full set of pre-made Mind Map PPT graphics.

See example of slide before and after redesigning:

Mindmap diagram design in PowerPoint using creative blob shapes

If you are ready to get creative, let me show you examples and slide makeover instruction of creating some nice mindmap diagrams in PowerPoint (or other presentation software that can use vector shapes).

Why it is important to utilize Mind Maps

Simple outline mind map diagram template in PowerPoint — Slide source: infoDiagram library of MindMap slides

creative hand drawn mind map template — Slide source: infoDiagram library of creative Mindmap slides

Visual thinking methods are great for exploring ideas from different angles. It’s also great for helping flesh out concepts. Since Mind Maps aren’t linear, there’s more flexibility. You can customize the Mind Map around the central node you want to explain.

In this blog, we’ll share step by step how to:

create mind map branches
build a central node
customize the color scheme of the mind map

Want to visually explain non-linear concepts? Let’s get started.

1. Create Rectangles to Represent the Mind Map Branches

Step 1: creating mind map branches with rectangles in PowerPoint

You can create as many rectangles as you want and place them wherever you’d like. The easiest location will be along the sides of your slide. The rectangles will be filled with text, so keep that in mind when deciding how large you’d like them to be.

2. Create a Circle in the Middle of the Mind Map

Add a circle to the middle of the Mind Map. Then add additional circles on each rectangle’s inner vertical edge. At this point, you should be able to see the basic elements of your Mind Map coming together.

3. Begin Customizing Your Mind Map

At this phase, you begin the process of customizing your Mind Map. Change the colors to suit your brand, your target audience, or the topic you’re discussing. After you’ve made changes to the color scheme, add small circles to the center circle’s inner edge.

4. Connect the Circles and Add a Title

Use the Elbow Connector line shape to connect the circles on the center circle and the exterior rectangles. Then add the title of your idea to the center of the Mind Map diagram.

Finished creative mind map slide with icons on each branch in PowerPoint.

For more customization, add icons to help your audience visualize the topic of each branch.

Mindmap works well if you draw a symbol representing each branch. In the context of a slide, you can simply add icons to each item. Check five creative ways to embed icons in your slides.

Using a consistent style of graphics and making a centrally aligned layout results in a professional and eye-catching slide look.

Help your audience get inspired by creating a modern, creative Mind Map for your presentation. Rather than describing brainstorming or listing the different components of your brainstorming session, you can show your audience what you mean by creating these creative, sleek graphics.

If you don’t have the time to make your own Mind Map graphics, feel free to use the pre-made ones we’ve included in the Creative & Simple Mind Map Diagrams set. If you’d rather build your own, you’re welcome to make your own based on the tips provided here. The next time you need to build a compelling presentation, don’t forget how to build clever, creative Mind Maps in PowerPoint.

Graphical Resources: Creative & Simple Mind Map Diagrams

To help you share brainstorming results, illustrate non-linear concepts, and build creative presentations we created Creative & Simple Mind Map Diagrams:

Creative & Simple Mind Map PPT Diagrams

Help your audience understand complicated, non-linear ideas with creative, visually appealing diagrams.

Looking for more ideas? Get a Creative slide design guide with free hand-drawn shapes and sign up for our newsletter with regular inspirations sharing.