These gigamap exemplars are organised into three main groups: content maps, functional maps, and structural maps. They are from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Chalmers Technical University and others.
Gigamaps are devices for actively co-designing our shared knowledge according to the needs of the individual designers and their clients, experts and stakeholders involved and according to the needs of the project.
This is a collection of exemplars, not a typology
The intention of this collection is to inspire you and to show that there are many ways of designing a gigamap – and that there are many uses and functionalities of the maps. Therefore, the maps were not chosen because of their quality, but rather to demonstrate as many different arrangements as possible. Each map involves a design process to reach a graphic interpretation that is tailored bespoke for the particular situation.
The maps are design artefacts produced in nested design processes. They are expressions of the designer’s constructed (or designed) knowledge. This implies a reference to constructionist learning, which means that learning is not a one-way process, nor is it to be compared to filling a vessel of wisdom, or a hard disk with information. Constructivism implies that we actively construct our individual knowledge. This implies that knowledge is internalized and individualized when shared. We suggest moving from using a metaphor of constructing knowledge to using a metaphor of designing knowledge. The gigamaps are devices for designing knowledge and they are the designed artefacts representing our knowledge about complex systems, and how they might be changed.
Onboarding
Onboarding new employees is a long-lasting process. It takes one to three years for a new employee to get fully integrated with a new work environment, to know colleagues, learn the culture and understand the structure; in short, be an integrated part of the system....
Synthesis Maps
Synthesis maps integrate evidence and expertise in a visual narrative forknowledge translation and communication. Peter Jones & Jeremy Bowes
Analyses Maps
These maps are demonstrating how mapping can be useful in registering and analysing information. This map shows an analyses of an interview of eight users of electrical vehicles. (Raoul Koreman, Suzanne Ofte Solås, Tord Stenstadvold, Helene Falstad, SOD bachelor...
Axial-relationship Map
Fire Safety: Product service systemA clearly structured map that builds an ordered model of the information. The structure imposes a strongly guided interpretation that provides for some advantages but also comes at a cost. The structure gives the shared picture a...
Comparative Map
This "comparative map" compares two different businesses along a timeline with major operations. One company is in the upper half of the map, and the other is in the lower half of the map. The interesting issue here is how the map is easily navigated because of the...
Composite Maps
Ship azimuth controlers for Kwant ControlsThis map consists of four different parts that are displayed together to help create a reading of the information from four different perspectives.– Cong Li, HIOA 2016
Evaluational Map
This map is made to evaluate the systemic impact of a long series of ideas in relation to a range of personas representing different customer types for a bank service. (Anna-Lisa Skoog and Beate Romslo, AHO 2014)Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the...
Future Scenario Map
Map showing a possible future scenario for robottic charching of electrical cars. (Raoul Koreman, Suzanne Ofte Solås, Tord Stenstadvold, Helene Falstad, SOD bachelor studio 2017)Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the full-size image.
General Maps
These maps demonstrate a balanced use of information types with depicting relations.
Image Maps
Image maps for complex processesMarie Davidova suggest using images instead of abstract symbols. The intention is to add a greater level of detajl, emotions and associations. The use of images will also support sense sharing.From a workshop at the University of...
Implementational Maps
Ideally, implementation is an integrated part of a systemic process from the beginning. If the whole system is understood well enough, implementation should go by itself or at least very easily. In reality, this is rarely the case. There are always things that are...
Layering
A map that is interesting in the way it creates sub fields of layered information sets. ( Linn-Hege Øverstad, Rebecca R. Larsen, Ulrikke Pedersen, AHO 2011)Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the full-size image.
Map based on systems dynamics modelling
This map sorts and relates information and problematiques according to a system dynamics approach.
Mixed Relational Maps
Policy support A mixed map of information fields that are related through drawing relational connections. The map is information oriented where "information containers" like lists, statistics, references and diagrams are interrelated within a overreaching network.AHO...
Network Map
A map that shows the balance between the objects and the relations.
Organisational Map
This map was designed to give a total overview of a companies organisation and activities. (For MEDEMA, Julian Guribye and Christian von Hanno, AHO 2011)Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the full-size image.
Process Map, “Discussion Board”, and “Action Map”
This map systematises, developes and relates a documentation of a building process of an experimental installation. It worked as the central communication device and as a continuous discussion board. The physical GIGA-map is a team work design tool. It is also...
Relational Maps
Three relations-oriented maps: one is developed according to the library of systemic relations and two represent process tools.
Semantic Maps
These maps use language as relations. They are an expression of reasoning systems rather than an expression of world systems.Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the full-size image.
Semi spacial map combined with timeline and network
This map is based on a mix of spatial organization and mapping out of operations.
Value Map
A map that defines a set of core values (for the Norwegian police) and maps out how these corevalues are related to the global system. (Bente Moen, HIOA 2014)Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the full-size image.
Mixed Composite Map
A mixed information oriented map where there are some subfields that are developed more towards systemic models. (For SALTO, Christian von Hanno, AHO 2011)Scroll over the image for details. Click to view the full-size image.
Timeline Map
This map is inspired by service blueprints. It is very detailed and is also generative, depicting a redesigned process.
