Turn design notes into a free, editable mind map
Upload a PDF, slides, or notes and get a mind map you can edit and explore. Study principles, process, and critique criteria from your own course material.
Why build your own mind map design
Most free mind map design templates are generic, so the branches rarely match the readings, critiques, or principles in your course. A map made from your own design notes keeps the terms and examples your instructor actually uses.
- Start with one central question, such as how a design project moves from brief to final review.
- Keep each branch to one concept so you can quiz yourself on it.
- Add examples and common mistakes as sub-branches instead of new main branches.
- Review the map after each critique, then update the nodes where your understanding changed.
Built from your material
Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages, and the map follows your readings and lecture notes.
Editable and explorable
Expand or collapse branches, reword nodes, and reorganize the layout as your understanding of the topic changes.
Study in the browser
The free plan lets you study your mind map in the browser, with 3 generations per month to start.
How it works
Add your design notes
Upload a PDF, slides, a DOCX file, or a photo of your notebook page.
Generate the map
DeckOwl reads the text and arranges the main ideas into branches and sub-branches.
Edit and explore
Rename nodes, move branches, and click through the map to test what you remember.
Design subjects branch naturally. Principles like contrast and alignment, process stages such as discover and define, and tools or critique criteria can each become a main branch, with examples and common mistakes below them.
The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, which covers a few units of material. Exports such as PDF and DOCX are part of the Plus plan.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I organize a design mind map so the branches make sense?
Start with one central idea, such as the design process or a set of principles. Split it into stages or categories, and keep each branch to a single concept so you can test yourself on it.
What should a design student put in the main branches?
Use the core areas of your course, such as principles like contrast and alignment, process stages, tools, and critique criteria. Add examples and common mistakes as sub-branches under each one.
Is the free plan enough to study design?
The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, which works for a few units of material. Plus removes the generation limit and adds PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export.
Can I use slides or photos of my notes?
Yes. DeckOwl accepts PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, and images, and reads text from photos of pages.
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