Conceived and managed by veteran graphic facilitator, Diane Durand, The Doodle Institute has a unique yet vitally-important goal; to prepare both young and old to doodle on any topic, look for the metaphors and use these messages to transform their personal and professional lives. The twelve-month course is expected to be hugely popular across all age-groups and industries, as research continues to highlight the importance of doodling to access hidden mental models.

Chicago, IL -- (SBWire) -- 08/18/2014 --Doodling away on paper during a meeting may first appear to be an abstract time-killer, but the messages contained within the scribbles can literally hold the key to that next big idea, life change or emotional epiphany. Diane Durand has spent years both studying and teaching ‘effective doodling’ and, with demand for her services going global, is now launching a most unique online course.

‘The Doodle Institute’ is a new twelve-month program, consisting of five online courses and a three-month virtual Certification Coaching Course. By exploiting their individual style, students will lean to mentally doodle at will and extract the images’ metaphors and relationships.

“Millions of people claim they can’t draw. The truth is that we all doodle – and these little pictures can literally be life-changing!” explains Durand, who teaches doodling in diverse settings ranging from the preschool classroom to the oak-paneled boardroom. “Doodling has been used to help people communicate and innovate for thousands of years. Through The Doodle Institute, anyone can unlock their ability to read their doodles deeper and take vital life-changing cues from them.”

Continuing, “People already use doodling more than they think. Businesses use them to map out their projects, mathematicians employ them to visualize intricate concepts and children often use them to subconsciously display their emotions and fears. The disconnect is that people can’t ‘read’ what they draw. The Doodle Institute will unlock all whiteboards for business, healthcare, education and families, empowering them to connect pen to paper to dream, discover and then access these insights.”

Durand’s work has earned her a stellar reputation. Life Coach and Painter, Allison Crow, comments, “People are always asking about how I doodle and draw. You do not need to be an artist... And doodling can change your life and work! I've seen it change countless lives! Have a desire to start doodle and learn how it can help you... Check out The Doodle Institute.”

Shannon Peebles adds, "How many times have you said, "I can't draw"? Me? Thousands. I am so excited for this course to start so that I can put that myth to rest! I have seen Diane teaching people how to doodle in person and I have played with the first chapter of her book. I can't WAIT to dig in deeper!"

High School Teacher Tracey Vickery sees another unique application for the course, writing, “I see that The Doodle Institute could be a whole new option for highly talented and creative art students who can’t afford college. The problem is the school counselors are measured based on whether students go to college, not if they build a career. The program Diane is building is about building and launching careers that are both creative and sound business.”

Durand doesn’t want students to simply teach themselves to Doodle, but rather empower and educate their peers.

“Each graduate will become a Global Doodle Network Member and be able to use the Discovery Doodles brand to build their own business, teach their own Doodle Classes and even create their own online courses for The Doodle Institute,” she adds.

For more information, visit: http://discoverydoodles.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryDoodles.

About Diane Durand
Diane Durand is a woman of many talents which include...facilitator, doodler, teacher, mentor, graphic facilitator and spiritual business leader.

She is President, Managing Director & Lead Facilitator at Discovery Doodles, LLC and Chief Transformation Officer for Vizworld.com. She facilitates workshops with leaders across business, healthcare and education, inspiring people to discover, dream and doodle.

She recently launched “Discovery Doodles: The Complete Series,” which is a visual toolkit filled with over 200 drawing activities for infancy to industry and can be used for brainstorming, business mapping, strategic planning, product ideation and fun. Discovery Doodles was Amazon’s top-selling Education Professional Development book its first week of release and has been downloaded in over 50 countries, 250 cities and across seven continents. People in Antarctica are doodling!

Her favorite thing is to work closely with companies large and small to create over-sized infographics that capture ideas from blue sky thinking to concrete actions maps. She has also been the artist-in-residence for the past few years for TEDMED events and has lead conversations around the ever-changing healthcare landscape to create dynamic and memorable illustrations that are revered within the industry.