Workshop facilitators and design educators
Preparing a workshop on post-industrial or open design, where participants need a structured framework to analyze real-world examples.
Use cases
About
The EXISTING ANSWERS (Post-Industrial Design) mind map template catalogs 280 nodes across 30+ examples of post-industrial design practices, from platforms like Shapeways.com and Ponoko.com to phenomena like Burning Man and Ready-Cake Mixes. Developed collaboratively during a workshop facilitated by Giorgio Olivero and Massimo Menichinelli, this EXISTING ANSWERS template maps the design lifecycle (Design, Manufacturing, Distribution, Use, End of life) alongside processes, roles, and social networks. It systematically evaluates each example across typology, social aspects, environmental aspects, and economical aspects, making it a comprehensive reference for designers exploring open, distributed production models.
Terms and ConditionsWhen to use this template
Design researchers and graduate students
Conducting a comparative analysis of distributed manufacturing platforms for a research paper or thesis.
Product designers and innovation strategists
Brainstorming new product-service systems that leverage peer production and open innovation models.
How to use this template
Step 1
Open and Explore the Core Structure
Download the .xmind file and open it to review the primary branches covering the design lifecycle from manufacturing to end of life.
Step 2
Populate and Customize Example Nodes
Select specific nodes like Shapeways.com to fill in detailed attributes including typology, license, and the four key evaluation aspects.
Step 3
Map Dynamics and Add New Examples
Insert your own design examples and use the processes and roles branches to map how they relate to post-industrial design dynamics.
Frequently asked questions
The template includes 280 nodes covering 30+ examples of post-industrial design, organized by lifecycle stages (Design, Manufacturing, Distribution, Use, End of life) and cross-cutting themes like processes, roles, social networks, and knowledge. Each example is evaluated across typology, social, environmental, and economical aspects.
Open the .xmind file in Xmind, then navigate to any example node (e.g., 'Shapeways.com'). Expand its sub-branches to fill in typology, link, location, license, progress status, and the four aspect categories. Use the lifecycle branches to map how the example fits into Design, Manufacturing, Distribution, Use, and End of life.
Yes, the template is free to download and fully editable in Xmind (desktop, web, or mobile). You can add new examples, modify existing nodes, or adapt the evaluation criteria to your own research or workshop needs.
The node 'Ready-Cake Mixes are without eggs in order to have the user involved in the cooking with a real experience and motivation' illustrates how post-industrial design intentionally leaves tasks incomplete to engage users as co-creators, a key concept in participatory design.
The template uses a radial mind map layout with the central topic 'EXISTING ANSWERS (Post-Industrial Design)'. Major branches radiate out for lifecycle stages and themes, while example nodes (e.g., 'Lulu.com', 'Burning Man') are placed as sub-branches with consistent evaluation sub-nodes.
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