Mind Mapping and Wireframing for Design Planning

Resource Description: Mind Mapping and Wireframing for Design Planning (Cambridge OCR Level 1/2)

This lesson resource introduces learners to mind mapping and wireframing as essential planning tools used in the design and development process, aligned with Cambridge OCR Level 1/2 exam requirements.

Learners begin by exploring mind maps as a method for generating, organising, and expanding ideas. Through guided examples and structured activities, students learn how to break down a design brief, identify user needs, and connect ideas logically using keywords, images, and colour. Emphasis is placed on clarity, relevance, and how mind maps support creative thinking and exam-ready evidence.

The lesson then transitions into wireframing, introducing learners to low-fidelity layouts used to plan digital products such as websites, apps, or interactive pages. Students learn how to create clear wireframes using boxes, labels, and annotations to represent layout, navigation, and functionality without focusing on aesthetics. The resource reinforces correct terminology and demonstrates how wireframes communicate structure and purpose to a client or development team.

Activities include:

Annotated examples of mind maps and wireframes at Level 1 and Level 2 standard

Step-by-step modelling of exam-appropriate responses

Independent practice linked to a realistic design brief

Opportunities for peer review using OCR-style success criteria

The resource supports learners in producing evidence suitable for OCR assessment, helping them understand how planning tools link directly to marks, design justification, and final outcomes. It is suitable for classroom delivery, controlled assessment preparation, or revision sessions, and encourages both creativity and precision, the twin engines of strong exam performance