Thumbnail Bubble Diagrams – A More Complete Portrayal

I discovered an interesting spin on bubble diagrams while researching validation ideas.  The technique is to use a mini thumbnail picture to represent each space or bubble.  For example, a grilling area could be shown as a small bubble with a picture or drawing of a grill.  The ides is to graphically represent each functional space with a graphic or picture.  These graphics can represent function or be conceptually representative.  For example, if you have an inspiration idea such as a water feature, you include a picture of it within the bubble.  Two sample thumbnail bubbles are shown below:

Small Representative Graphic Thumbnail Bubble

Small Picture Thumbnail Bubble

Bubbles are still bubbles.  Instead of being empty bubbles labeled with text, they have pictures or graphics to help represent the function.  So what is the purpose of doing this?  I think they provide an additional level of representation or portrayal of how the design will function.  When the bubbles are positioned and finalized into a full thumbnail bubble diagram you get a better sense of the component parts and how they might flow together.  I think they also contribute to ideation in that you can have a better feel of how the areas will look as one space.  A small sample bubble diagram using this technique is shown below:

Thumbnail Bubble Diagram

Another benefit is that if you want to use this to solicit client feedback, they are going to give the client a better feel for the overall thought process and how the spaces will interact and look together.  In the example above, the client would be able to get a very accurate idea of how the water feature will be a focal point in the space.

This technique is again something where you can reuse the materials.  The small thumbnails should be created as individual bubbles and saved.  I created most of mine in DynaSCAPE and exported them to jpeg files.  Some were created in PowerPoint.  I typically use PowerPoint to create the thumbnail bubble diagram since it is easier to manipulate the pieces and then subsequent add arrows, text, or whatever other diagrammatic tools I choose.

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