Bye Bye, Di Di

practice in Chicago in 1998. Our first projects were done out of a former schoolhouse South of the Loop near the Maxwell Street Market. The first major project involved a CD-ROM on complexity theory for the Center for Business Innovation out of Boston. Matt Sullivan joined us in the (very cold) office piled high with cardboard boxes and rag-tag furniture. The office housed it all: computers, whitewall, painting easels, and even a quilting station! The five mile commute, which we did everyday in my dad's beat-up Jeep, took 45-minutes each direction through Chicago's rush hour. I don't know how we did it.

Diane put in hundreds of hours as Managing Director building this little practice, and I will miss her. If you want to contact her, her new email address is: dididurand@gmail.com

Thanks Di Di!

MissingLink debuts at Idea-Round-Up in Pittsburgh

On September 9th, our specially designed software, MissingLink, made its semi-public debut in housing the content produced during a massive civic enegagement forum in Pittsburgh. [see site]

Our team of three was able to photograph and archive over 350 flipcharts from 18 breakout groups and integrate the text documentation and photos using MissingLink. From start to finish, the post-production ran 12 hours. Normally, this would have taken 2-3 days!

and regional leaders in a conversation that promotes new thinking about the topics that matter most to our community.Participants engaged in panel discussions and worked in small design groups to generate as many brain-busting ideas as possible. All ideas were welcome-the wacky, the way out, the logical, the needed, the necessary, the fun, and the futuristic.

Rather than a typical civic meeting, The Idea Round Up was a highly visual and highly interactive day with 20 local artists on hand to illustrate all the ideas generated.

The Sprout Fund announced plans to release $100,000 in funding to support projects that grow directly out of the ideas developed during this exciting collaborative design event.

http://alphachimp.missinglink.biz/sprout-fund/engage-pittsburgh-2006-idea

Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/alphachimpstudio/sets/72157594277569026/

Slideshow http://www.flickr.com/photos/alphachimpstudio/sets/72157594277569026/show/

Zach Warren breaks Unicycle World Record

Former Alphachimp intern and Coro Fellow, Zach Warren, has finally done it! He has set 2 World Records, each on a very large unicycle. All this while working with kids in Kabul, Afghanistan and studying at Harvard's Divinity School. Read his recent letter below and watch the video!

Video of World Record Trial http://jollyjuggler.com/theaction.html

Zach's Letter http://www.alphachimp.com/clients/2006/09/zach-warren-breaks-unicycle-world.html

Paintings on display at Beleza Community Coffee House

On view through August, paintings by Peter Durand (Works from 1995-2005). This wonderful coffee shop was started by 7 graduates from Hope College in Michigan, who decided to "change the world" through establishing this new venture on Pittsburgh's North Side.

Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/alphachimpstudio/sets/72157594224595922/

More Paintings http://www.durandgallery.com

GF Audio Interviews with Christina Merkley

Canadian graphic facilitator, coach and mapmaker Christina Merkley of Make Your Mark, has begun a series of podcast interviews with established graphic facilitators. In her first 2 podcasts, she explains the basics of the Graphic Recording and Graphic Facilitation genres and shares her own evolutionary story. Other interviews include: Leslie Salmon-Zhu, Jim Channon, and yours truly.

http://graphicfacilitation.blogs.com/pages/2006/09/gf_audio_interv.html

One in 6.5 Billion

YouPopulation: One. Simple and powerful representation on the world population and your place in it. Whew. That's perspective making.

http://www.royalsapien.com/pop1/

How Art Made the World

Brandy Agerbeck was torn away from her summer reality TV watching schedule by a great series on PBS. It's provocative title "How Art Made the World".

Each one-hour episode begins with a modern-day mystery that Spivey seeks to untangle through examinations of some of the most exquisite artifacts ever discovered. Combining aspects of history, archeology, forensics, sociology and aesthetics, Spivey leads an extraordinary video expedition that spans 100,000 years and five continents: from the vast galleries of prehistoric art in the caves of Altamira and Lascaux, to astonishing Native-American and African rock paintings, to the treasures of Ancient Egypt and Classical Greece, right up to the pop culture and advertising imagery that bombards us in
the digital age.

PBS Series http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/

The Book http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/series/buy/

M is for Monkey, T is for Threadless

Brandy Agerbeck of Loosetooth sends us this coveted design from Threadless: This unique t-shirt print biz incorporates all the stellar bells-n-whistles of a Web 2.0 innovator: blogs, community-driven design process, user-based ranking systems, associate programs and great art.

Designers submit artwork and members vote on which images make it on to shirts. Folks can also submit slogans to be incorporated into designs. Join the 12 month club to receive a new shirt with a winning design sent to your home throughout the year.

http://www.alphachimp.com/clients/2006/08/m-is-for-monkey-t-is-for-threadless.html

FreedomVoice Toll Free Numbers

We finally have our own 911 number! Well, more accurately, we have a toll free number through FreedomVoice. This on-line service provider can not only hook you up with your own vanity number, but hold music (rock, jazz or muzak), call forwarding, multiple mailboxes and even professional voiceover talent for your outgoing messages. Want to experience how it works?

Call us toll free: 1-866-99CHIMP

http://www.freedomvoice.com/index.html

Only in Texas: Dust Art

A couple of weeks ago, I made the profoundly silly decision to take our 2-year old to the Fort Worth Zoo. Don't get me wrong; it is a stunningly well designed environment (especially the monkey house!). But the day we attended, the temperatures hit 106 degrees. Because of low attendance, the zoo decided not to open any ice cream stands. Let's say that it was a viscous cycle, with parents and children melting down.

Which led me to wonder aloud: what do people do in Texas in the summertime! Nellie Durand passed this along, original article in the Austin Statesman.

http://www.alphachimp.com/clients/2006/08/only-in-texas-dust-art.html

A Wolf in Poodle's Clothing

Leah Silverman's family has a problem. Usually, I would never saddle an entire family unit like this, but I'm serious... they need help. Everyone seems to own a member of the same litter of standard poodles. These are the big, black, Doberman Pincher-sized poodles. The answer to my dilemma comes from Mrs. Silverman herself: a Poodle disguise for Dobermans.

http://www.alphachimp.com/clients/2006/08/wolf-in-poodles-clothing.html

Want to Know What's Best in Life? Ask Arnold!

You have to admit, the man has a lot going on: athlete, actor, activist, oh, and governor of the richest state in the United States. To understand the complexity broiling inside, however, one needs to thoroughly explore Arnold's website, which is a true case study in personal brand-building.

Schwarzenegger.com has many useful items for Arnoldophiles. For example, if you are having a tough time deciding what to do with your life, and want to receive advice from the Governator, himself, simply click on Ask Arnold. Here, according to the site, one can "learn what is best in life."

http://www.alphachimp.com/clients/2006/08/want-to-know-whats-best-in-life-ask.html

Biology of Creativity

From Studio 360, Kurt Andersen looks deep in the brain to find the human impulse to be creative: madness, mirror neurons, creative genius and animal artists. A must listen for those of us struggling to understand what happens when the brain lights up with the creative process and tips over into mad genius.

This podcast explores Eduard Munch, The Devil and Daniel Johnston, The Creating Brain, the biological roots of empathy, animal artists and what
deep in our brains when we look at art.

http://graphicfacilitation.blogs.com/pages/2006/07/biology_of_crea.html

http://www.studio360.org/show063006.html

Oliver Foot - The Next Generation of Global Health Workers

Since its launch in 1982, Orbis has provided training programs to more than 124,000 doctors, nurses, and other essential healthcare workers in 85 countries; performed more than 135,000 eye surgeries; and directly treated more than 3 million individuals. In addition, it's been estimated that as many as 27.5 million children and adults have benefited from Orbis International's medical training programs worldwide. In this show, Tim Zak interviews the passionate president and executive director of Orbis, Oliver Foot.

http://www.siconversations.org/shows/detail1165.html

Robert Langer - The Promise of Biomedical Engineering

Robert Langer is one of the world's most prolific, influential, and acclaimed social innovators of our time, and the full force of his impact will continue to effect the globe for generations to come. He has been referred to as "a medical pioneer in the guise of an engineer," creating new science by revolutionizing the delivery of drugs and the engineering of human tissue. In early 2006, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Forbes, Discover, Time, and CNN have all recognized him as one of the globe's most influential innovators.

http://www.siconversations.org/shows/detail1157.html

Cheryl Dorsey - Echoing Green

In the early 1990's Cheryl Dorsey got a fellowship from Echoing Green to launch the Family Van, a community-based mobile health unit that provides basic medical and outreach services to at-risk residents of inner-city Boston neighborhoods. In 2002, she became the first Echoing Green Fellow selected to lead the organization in its nearly 20-year history. As president of Echoing Green, Dorsey now has the daunting challenge to continue to build on the impressive track record of one of the world's leading investors and supporters of worldwide social change.

http://www.siconversations.org/shows/detail1156.html

Brandi S. in Nashville -- Steve E. -- Mary M. of UNICEF -- Paula K. in Ohio -- George S. in Australia -- Samantha in Buffalo -- Dave D. in Silicon Valley -- Sue S. -- Chris of the Mung Dynasty -- Brannon in Central Florida -- Dee the B.S. expert -- Kristen S. -- Now Zach -- Kate at Whiz Kids Studio -- Tom at Vanderbilt -- Kim M. -- M.K. at InnovationLabs

The International Forum of Visual Practitioner’s Conference 2006

October 26 – 29, 2006
Granlibakken Resort & Conference Center
Tahoe City, California

Whether an old-timer with 30+ years of scrbing under your belt, or a newcomer eager to learn about the trade secrets, skills and practioners in this field, this gathering is well worth the journey.

Details at http://www.ifvp.org/

BIF-2 at Trinity Rep

October 4-5, 2006 Newport, Rhode Island

BIF-2 will feature the personal stories of innovators from across the country who are redefining the rules of innovation and transforming how value is delivered in every arena.

A truly collaborative experience, storytellers and participants alike connect with the best thinking about innovation, network with like-minded peers, and tap into new innovation resources.

BIF-2 Summit participants will include executives and organizational leaders (from both the public and private sectors) responsible for growth, strategy and innovation who want to explore the who, what, and how of business model innovation.

http://www.businessinnovationfactory.com/

Pop!Tech X

October 18-21 2006 Camden, Maine

The breathtaking content, beautiful setting, intimate scale, and informal tone make Pop!Tech an experience like no other. At the end, you’ll leave with dozens of new ideas, a better sense of where the world is headed, a new network of relationships and a lasting inspiration to create a better world.

http://www.poptech.com/

http://www.alphachimp.com/poptech/simpleviewer2005

We'd be honored to brag about any of your accomplishments or promote any of your upcoming workshops or public appearances.

Drop us a line!

Peter Durand, Creative Director peter@alphachimp.com | toll free: 1-866-99CHIMP

Alphachimp Studio Inc. 414 South Craig St. #275 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA Studio: 412-322-1418

To subscribe: http://www.mailchimp.com/subscribe.phtml?id=88a240d0c4