New Service!
SketchVideos are my version of whiteboard animations and video scribing services to create clear, meaningful and lively illustrations of conceptual information. Since the RSA Animate and Story of Stuff videos these digital storytelling formats have become very popular to communicate a wide range of messages and to reach a variety of audiences. The live drawing process captures and holds people’s attention. It’s a magnetic starting point for successful communication, training and conversation.
This video is one of a series of 13 videos for the Conflict Center in Denver. The videos are created for their online training programs for teens in Emotional Intelligence And Critical Decisionmaking.
The design process is very similar to other projects in which I get to participate as a Visual Thinking Partner. It’s highly collaborative. I define with my clients what the core message is in words and explore what that might look like. I attend the actual in-person trainings at the Conflict Center to harvest words, images and examples in a tone of voice that matches the approach of the trainers. From these notes I write the script. After the client’s approval I get to draw. This time not on large sheets of paper, but on my Ipad. I draw and record the visual story with digital tools. We review the first edit to include valuable feedback of my client. Trainers of the Conflict Center read the scripts for the voice-over. My client even hired a local musician for the musical sound tracks. Then there is nitty-gritty work to do to edit the video and synchronize the visuals with the sound into a flowing end-product, the SketchVideo.
How are SketchVideos different from other similar video formats?
• Collaborative process
• Real Time Listening during (online) event or training
• Script and Visuals not scripted-by-the-frame in advance, but emerge in a fluid creative process. This leaves room for surprising, playful and non-linear interpretation.
• Illustrative quality combined with quick sketchy images gives a dynamic and one-of-a kind look.
• Beyond stick figures and cartoons, yet not too realistic, to leave room for the viewer and to keep the focus on the essence of the message and the connection with the audience.
• Created with artful awareness and a passion to empower people through meaningful information.
 |
For more information about this micro-activism project, visit GoodMoodWarriordolls.
If one of the dolls come to your house and you think she needs a new booklet, please download it here and print it. Thanks! |
The Conflict Center in Denver hired me as their visual thinking partner for a training for Littleton Public Schools teachers about Restorative Justice and the Goals of Misbehavior.

I drew four flip charts in advance to illustrate the key concepts, based on a conversation with the two trainers and their Powerpoint slides. The Conflict Center will use these images for future training materials.


These large maps express the essence of the group conversation during the training and a World Cafe session, both captured in real time. The original maps stayed with the school, as a visual reminder for the teachers and a conversation piece with students.


Flip chart panels from my presentation at the Colorado Statewide ADR Conference of the Colorado Bar Association, on October 30, 2012 in Denver.
“See the Big Picture – Graphic recording as a method for visual conflict resolution and collaborative meetings”




A live demonstration during break out session 1, topic 4: “Tips for Building a Muscular and Efficient Commercial Arbitration Process: Avoiding Litigation Lite”
October is Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado.
Oval Options is a conflict management consulting firm in Denver. Together we have a unique expertise to create engaging and transformative meetings that deliver structural results for organizations that are ready to invest in systematic conflict prevention and conflict resolution strategies.
We have a special offer, and we have just decided to extend it until November the 30st.

Stuck in Conflict? Can’t see the forest for the trees?
I can help you to draw out the pieces and see the way through your conflict. You can do an individual session to clarify some issues, and to brainstorm on possible strategies. You can also come together with the other person(s) that you are in conflict with, so you can do this together.
Sessions available in my mapping studio in the Denver Tech Center or via Skype. Prices start at $150.
Signs of a growing comfort level in corporate business to support collaboration and innovation. Graphic recording and sticky notes are in demand!
“Doodling for Dollars” - Wall Street Journal April 25, 2012
Pictures from the second Safe Conflict Synergizer, focussing on collaborative projects in the Middle East, held from October 23-26 in California at Mayacamas Ranch. The 25 participants included peacebuilders from Yemen, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and American peacebuilders, leadership trainers, philanthropists, and social media experts. This 3 day event was hosted by the Safe Conflict Project and the Mediators Foundation.





Pictures from the Legal Leadership Summit, Manitou Springs, Colorado, 2-4 October 2011.
Hosted by Kim J. Wright, author of ABA best selling book ‘Lawyers as Peacemakers’ , Cutting Edge Law and the Renaissance Lawyers Society.





Last month GOOD magazine held a contest to doodle something good in the world, as part of their Doodle series. I submitted a piece about non-violent communication, based on Marshall Rosenberg’s work. My work was selected as one of the top 50 submissions. Please click here to see my sketch and the three winning pieces.