Concept maps are used to externalize ideas and explore connections between concepts. I have used concept maps frequently in the development stage of projects to better understand my subject matter, audience and context. To begin my research with the slow food learning community, I created concept maps. The top map illustrates that the slow food movement is about much more than just buying local foods, and the bottom map illustrates why various people participate in the slow food way of life. In order to create these maps, I carried out field research inspired by a graduate workshop with Danny Stillion of IDEO in which we learned various methods to observe, interview and brainstorm. In addition to the two analog concept maps, I created an interactive map of the participants of the slow food community. The purpose of this map was to allow me to hide and reveal information, over time, during presentations.